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Resurrection

Securing the Tomb: Matthew 27:62-66

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The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Matthew 27:62-66

Horsham: 25th March, 2026

This is the first of my reflections on the resurrection of Jesus. Before looking at the resurrection experiences, I found myself thinking about the burial of Christ. For the resurrection to be true, it’s critical that the body of Jesus was still inside the tomb by the time the grave was secured by the Roman soldiers. I think that this passage gives us confidence that this was the case.

This part of the story appears only in Matthew’s Gospel, but we’re going to see that it fits perfectly in stories of the death and burial of Christ in all the Gospels. As ever, we need to get into the context of the reading. The first three words are really important.  ‘The next day…’.

Let’s look at some context.

Jesus is Dead
Jesus died on Friday at around 3pm in the afternoon (Matthew 27:46) The Jewish day starts and ends not at midnight, but at 6pm. The sabbath starts at 6pm on Friday afternoon, by which time all of the Jewish characters in this story should be at home, observing the sabbath commandments. Lots of things happen between 3pm and 6pm.

At some point, after the first shock of witnessing the brutal death of Christ, after the long period of darkness and the last agonised cry (Matthew 27: 45-50),  after the earthquake, the torn curtain in the Temple, and extraordinary supernatural events (Matthew 27:51-53), Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Jesus.

Pilate will then have sent someone to check that Jesus was actually dead (Mark 15:44). We know that one of the soldiers pierced the side of Christ (John 19:34). These people knew about death. We should not be in any doubt: Jesus was dead. Pilate released the body. The distance between Golgotha and Pilate’s palace was not great, but nonetheless, this process, carrying of messages backwards and forwards, took some time. In this passage, time matters.

Jesus is Buried
We know from that Joseph goes with Nicodemus to Golgotha and takes possession of the body of Christ. They take Christ to the new tomb and prepared him for burial (John 19: 38-42) before rolling the stone across the mouth of the tomb (Mark 15:46) and heading home in time for the start of the sabbath. At 6pm, the disciples, the women, Joseph and Nicodemus, will be at home, observing the sabbath. Mary Magdalene watched as the tomb was closed (Matthew 27:61), and then herself headed home for the start of the sabbath.

Guarding the Tomb
Whatever we might think of the Jewish leaders, they were not stupid. We’ve already mentioned that Mary watched as a large rock was placed across the entrance. Now I’m speculating (by which I mean that this isn’t reported in the Gospels) when I say that it seems inconceivable that the Jewish leaders did not also have someone standing, watching what was going on. They would want to be in no doubt where the body had been placed, and would surely they  ensure that someone kept watch while they rushed off to Pilate to ask for military guard.

So, back to those first few words of this section. ‘The next day, that is after the day of preparation, the Chief Priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate.’

Breaking the Sabbath
I want you to notice two things. First, the ‘day after the day of preparation’ can only mean that this happened after 6pm, on the Sabbath. Second, that means that the Jewish leaders were breaking critical rules of their own Law by visiting the gentile Roman Consul after 6pm on the Friday – because it is now the Sabbath. 

‘If they did that,it is clear to see how radically they broke the sabbath law.’  (Wm. Barclay, ‘Gospel of Matthew, Vol 2,  St Andrew Press, p437)

If they were sufficiently desperate to take that risk, it is once again inconceivable that they had not taken the precaution of sending someone to sit in the garden and keep an eye on the tomb.

Pilate authorises the guard, who are deployed to keep watch over the tomb. They return to the garden, with the guards. It could be as late as 7pm or 8pm on the Sabbath. It seems to me that they know that the body is still inside, because they have been watching. With full confidence that the body of Jesus is still within, they seal the tomb (Matthew 27:66).

End Piece
When the body was later found to be missing, the Jewish leaders bribed the soldiers to tell a story that the body had been stolen during the night. Importantly, they never allege that the body was stolen before the guard arrived. Surely this because they knew that the body was still there in the tomb when the guard arrived. They knew that Christ was inside that tomb when they, themselves, placed their seal on the tomb.

It is the Jews themselves who made sure that the tomb was secure. 

In their determination to prove that Jesus would not rise from the dead, the Jewish leaders inadvertently add weight to the supposition that he did.

Unpick this part of the story and we should be in no doubt. Christ was dead. Christ was buried. His body was secure in the grave, sealed and guarded by a squad of Roman soldiers.

‘They had not realised one thing.- that there was not a tomb in th eworld which could imprison the risen Christ. Not all the plans in the world could bind the risenn Lord. Anyone who seeks to put bonds on Jesus Christ is on a hopeless assignment.’ (Wm. Barclay, ‘Gospel of Matthew, Vol 2,  St Andrew Press, p438)

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

Gospel of Mark

Burial of Jesus: Mark 15:42-47

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As we come to the end of Chapter 15 of Mark’s Gospel, we arrive at the burial of Jesus. Look out for the courage and determination of the women who followed Jesus.

42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid

Mark 15:42-47

Horsham:20th January 2026
Joseph and Nicodemus

Matthew tells us that Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a member of the Sanhedrin. Mark says he was a prominent member of the Council. Importantly, Matthew describes him as a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61).  We need to pause and take that in.

John tell us in some detail of a conversation between Jesus and another member of the Jewish Council of leaders, Nicodemus, just a few days earlier (John 1:1-21). 

We know tantalisingly little about Nicodemus and Joseph, but the appearance of Joseph at this point in the story is interesting in so many ways. It affirms that Jesus had sympathisers in the Sanhedrin. Luke says that he had not agreed with the plan to kill Jesus (Luke 23:51). Could it be that at least one voice was raised in defence of Jesus on that dreadful morning before his death. 

I’m wondering how many more unnamed people were in the background, supportive of Jesus, perhaps even openly.

Joseph approaches Pilate

For the Jews, the day started at 6pm. Jesus has died on the day of preparation for the sabbath, which will begin within a couple of hours. Joseph works fast.

Joseph takes a huge risk. Standing up in a very public way for Jesus after his death suggests a certain confidence in his actions. Pilate’s response to his request could have been very different.

Joseph went boldly to the Praetorium to seek audience with Pilate. The Roman governor is already angry with the Jewish leaders, yet he gives audience to Joseph.

John tells us that Nicodemus was also there to help with the recovery and burial of Jesus (John 19:38-41). Is it possible that this new grave had been dug and prepared by these rich supporters specifically with Jesus in mind (Wiersbe, p102). Who, after all, would build a tomb for their own use next to Golgotha?

Pilate releases the body

Some victims of crucifixion would suffer in agony for days. To die within 6 hours is unusual, and testament to the brutal treatment of Jesus in the hours before nailing him to the cross. The bodies of crucified criminals were normally discarded without ceremony, thrown on the rubbish heap or simply left to rot. It is suggested that Golgotha was so named because it was littered with the skulls of executed prisoners, picked clean by wild animals, feral dogs and birds. 

Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus is already dead. Perhaps it is a reflection of his reluctance to execute Jesus that Pilate agrees to the release of the body. We should be in no doubt that Jesus was dead. They even pierced his side with a spear to make sure.

The body of Jesus of Nazareth is removed from the cross, wrapped in linen, and placed in Joseph’s tomb. The Sabbath, remember, starts at 6pm, and that moment is at hand. There is simply not enough time to properly wash and prepare the body. Christ is placed in the tomb and a large stone rolled against the opening.

‘There were also women..’

Mark has already mentioned the presence of the women at the cross. Others have left and turned their back on Jesus.  Even those disciples who had declared, no doubt with integrity, that they would stand by Jesus, are in hiding. But the women are still there.

It is the women who follow Joseph and his servants. It is women who see where he is laid. It is women who continue to follow Jesus.

The stone is rolled across the mouth of the grave. We might imagine that it is moments before 6pm. Joseph, his servants, the women and every other Jew rushes to their home to observe the sabbath.

End Piece

It’s so easy to overlook that at this, the most challenging and dangerous time for those who followed Jesus, the Gospel writers, who lived in a deeply patriarchal society, finally bring the women who followed Jesus to centre stage.

Witnessing the death of Jesus, Matthew says that there were many women (Matthew 27:55). The Greek word is pollai (πολλαὶ) and it literally means many, implying that there were almost certainly more women than those whose names appear in the texts.

It is John who tells us that first amongst the women is Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25).

Matthew specifically mentions Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56)  Mark highlights Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses (Mark 15:47);  Luke mentions that women who had been followers of Jesus were there, and that some of them had travelled with Jesus from Galilee (Luke 23:55-26).  John specifically mentions the wife of Clopas (John 19:25).

And now, as Jesus is placed in the tomb, there are two women watching what is happening. Mary Magdalene and another Mary looked on, as Jesus was placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47)

Where, we might ask, is Peter? James? John? Where are those brave disciples who, less than 24 hours ago, declared their readiness to die alongside Jesus?

‘Faithful women were the last at the cross on Friday and the first at the tomb on Sunday. What a contrast to the disciples, who had boasted that they would die for Him!. The Church of Jesus Christ owes much to the sacrifice and devotion of believing women.’ (Wiersbe, p181)

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Gospel of Mark

Christ Before the High Priest: Mark 14:53-65

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Christ Before the High Priest

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Mark 14:53-65

Horsham: 20th September 2025

Jesus is escorted from Gethsemane towards Jerusalem by a huge group of soldiers and temple staff. Whilst he has not offered resistance, he is bound with ropes. This party made their way in the darkness across the valley towards the east gate of the Temple. In the darkness, Peter was following at a distance. The other disciples, including Judas, had run for their lives.

It is easy to miss the pace of events which now unfold. It is a matter of but a few hours until Christ would be nailed to the cross. We need to dip into all of the Gospels to grasp the order of events and pick up important points of context. 

‘kangaroo court’

The Sanhedrin, the highest court in Israel, are legally required to meet in the Temple compound, yet some of them at least, set up some kind of kangaroo court at the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, about a quarter of a mile from the Temple. It is a huge house, sometimes described as a palace, which has good sized rooms built around a large central courtyard.    

It is to this same house that the arrest party travelled, delivering Jesus into the hands of Caiaphas and his team, who undertake the interrogation in one of his public rooms. There is something very irregular in this ‘court’. Some commentators believe that this was some kind of unofficial, preliminary hearing to interrogate Jesus and formulate a charge. Under Jewish Law, Jesus should be entitled to defend himself. But in front of this extraordinary court, Jesus is silent. Impervious to their questions and the accusations of witnesses whose stories carry half-truths at best,  and conflict with each other. The authorities were desperate for new witnesses. We need to remind ourselves again that this is going on at the dead of night, while the city is asleep. It’s as if they are reduced to grabbing people off the street and encouraging their false testimony by threat or payment. They don’t keep to the script, misquoting his comments about the destruction of the Temple. The authorities are determined to build a charge of insurrection which would justify his death.  “This charge was formulated by deliberately and maliciously mis-repeating and misinterpreting certain things which Jesus had said. (Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, Vol 2, p413)

The question of last resort

Then comes the question of last resort, direct from the mouth of Caiaphas. A question that Jesus has to answer. Matthew tells us that the full question is ‘I place you under oath by the living God to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.’ (Matthew 26:63) This question is framed in a very specific and traditional oath which under Jewish Law demands a response. Only now does Jesus break His silence. Looking directly at Caiaphas He says ‘You have said so.’ Claiming to be the Messiah is not of itself a punishable offence. But Jesus continues. ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’ (Matthew 26:64) The power of this acclamation in this context is massive. Everyone in the room recognises the allusion to the prophecies of Daniel 7. No-one misses the fact that Jesus is claiming to be the Christ, and that he is promising to return in judgment. All this, in the face of Caiaphas. In context, it carries a sense of threat against the High Priest. He himself will be judged – by Jesus. Caiaphas is beside himself.

The tearing of clothes is a symbol of rage. The only occasion when the High Priest is permitted to tear his clothes is when he is in the presence of blasphemy. This expression of rage is theatrical. His charge of blasphemy is real.

‘abused to His face’

In his fury, Caiaphas whips up a frenzy of anger amongst the Sanhedrin and everyone else present. ‘They all condemned him as worthy of death.’ (v64) People in the room, maybe guards, maybe the ordained leaders of Israel, start to spit at him. They blindfold him. They abuse him to his face. They beat him. They slap him. He cannot see the attacks coming. He is helpless. He is defenseless. Every blow disorientates. They are abusing the Son of God.

Things are happening quickly. It is barely an hour since his arrest and already he is charged, arguably convicted, of blasphemy by the Sanhedrin. However, there is still work to do. The Jewish authorities cannot carry out the death penalty, especially during the Passover weekend. Only the Romans can do that. But the Romans are unlikely to care about a charge of blasphemy. 

The clock is ticking. Messengers will already be on their way to the Roman palace to make ready the next ghastly episode in this story.

End Piece

It was not lawful to conduct court process during the hours of darkness. It was not lawful to hold a criminal trial during the Passover (Barclay, Matthew, p412). It was not lawful for the Sanhedrin to convene and pass judgment in the house of the High Priest. It was not lawful to allow false witnesses to give evidence. (See Sproul, p.350 – 351). Such is the determination of the Jewish authorities to be rid of Jesus that they will break any of their own rules to achieve their purpose. In every sense, this process is mired in conspiracy, intrigue and deceit.

There were those on the Sanhedrin who were more supportive of Jesus. Nicodemus had visited Jesus during the night only a few days earlier (John 3). Joseph of Arimathea was ready to ensure the proper burial of Jesus in his own tomb (Matthew 27:57). It is probable that neither they nor any other supportive voices were at the Palace for this preliminary trial. They would have been unwelcome and unhelpful to the cause of the High Priest. 

The most powerful image of this dreadful episode in the life of Christ is surely the bound, blindfolded and broken man, with his own blood and other people’s spittle running down his face.

Hold that image.  Beaten. Bruised. Disorientated. Abused. This is your Saviour. This is your King.

‘It is unthinkable that the Messiah, the Ruler and Sustainer of the universe, should be subjected to trial by mere men, but in the good providence of God, that is what occurred.’ Sproul, p149

Richard Jackson, West Sussex: LifePictureUK