What does Matthew 27:64 mean?
Explanation
Matthew 27:64 is a verse from the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.
In this verse, the chief priests and Pharisees are addressing Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, out of concern that the followers of Jesus might steal his body from the tomb and then claim he has risen from the dead.
They argue that if such a deception succeeded, the resulting belief would cause more trouble than any misunderstandings they were dealing with before his crucifixion.
Essentially, they request that the tomb be made secure to prevent this possibility.
The literal meaning is that the religious leaders wish to ensure the body of Jesus remains in its tomb, while the deeper meaning touches upon themes of doubt, fear of deception, and the leaders' failure to understand Jesus' predicted resurrection.
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Historical Context
At the time Matthew's Gospel was written, Judea was under Roman control.
The Sanhedrin, comprised of chief priests and Pharisees, held religious authority but limited political power.
They often worked with the Roman government to maintain some degree of control over Jewish affairs.
The request to secure Jesus' tomb comes immediately after his crucifixion, and reflects the tension and uncertainty among the Jewish authorities concerning the growing movement around Jesus.
Their fear was that the nascent Christian belief in Jesus' resurrection could disrupt the established religious order and provoke Roman intervention.
Theological Insights
From a Christian perspective, this passage underscores the unease and misunderstanding Jesus' resurrection provoked among the religious leaders.
Theologically, the verse anticipates the fulfillment of Jesus' prediction that he would rise on the third day, something the chief priests and Pharisees seem to tacitly acknowledge by their concern.
It also could be interpreted as a fulfillment of prophecy, insomuch as the religious leaders are unwittingly participating in the events that would lead to the proof of Jesus' deity.
Skeptics and critics might argue this passage illustrates early attempts to explain or counteract claims that Jesus' body was simply stolen, rather than supernaturally resurrected.
Thus, the verse plays a role in apologetic debates concerning the authenticity of the resurrection story.
Practical Applications
One of the practical applications of this verse is the encouragement for modern believers to endure skepticism and opposition.
The religious leaders' fear and actions can serve as a reminder that false narratives can arise from misinterpretations or deliberate deceptions.
The verse cautions believers to secure their faith with knowledge, avoid being swayed by unfounded rumors, and to uphold the integrity of their beliefs.
Cross-References
Language Study
Key words in the original Greek text of Matthew 27:64 include:
- ἀσφαλίζω (asphalizō): Translated as "make sure" or "secure." It means to make something safe against an adversary or to prevent tampering.
- τάφος (taphos): It refers to the "grave" or "tomb."
- κλέπτω (kleptō): Meaning "to steal," indicating a concern about body snatching.
- ἐγείρω (egeirō): Translated as "risen," and used specifically in reference to resurrection from the dead.
Understanding these terms adds depth to the historical and theological context of the conversation between the Jewish authorities and Pilate.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In other ancient mythologies, there are stories of gods dying and being reborn, which may present superficial similarities to the resurrection story. For example, the Egyptian myth of Osiris involves a god being killed, his body hidden, and eventually being brought back to life by the goddess Isis.
However, the specific cultural and religious beliefs surrounding these myths are distinct from the Jewish-Christian understanding of physical resurrection.
Scientific Perspectives
From a scientific and historical standpoint, the claim of the resurrection is unique in that it is presented as a literal, bodily rising from the dead and not underpinned by allegory or spiritual metaphor alone.
Science approaches the concept of resurrection with skepticism since it contradicts what is known about biological death.
Any scientific inquiry into the plausibility of resurrection generally relates to the disciplines of history and forensic anthropology rather than to repeatable, empirical evidence.
Commentaries
Commentaries on Matthew 27:64 reflect a variety of views.
- Some commentators, like William Barclay, emphasize the irony that the religious leaders remembered Jesus' prediction of rising after three days while his own disciples apparently did not.
- John Calvin commented on the cunning nature of the chief priests and Pharisees, as they were trying to prevent what they believed was an imposture.
- Modern evangelical commentary often highlights how the religious authorities took Jesus' resurrection prophecy more seriously than his followers, albeit for different reasons.
Various expert interpretations often delve into the motivations of the Jewish authorities and the Roman response, as well as the implications this had for the early belief in the resurrection among Christians.