Sermon: The Astonishing Burial of Our Savior Matthew 27:57-66
The Astonishing Burial of Our Savior
Matthew 27:57-66
Truth Taught- The burial of our Savior is vital in proving He really died on the cross as He said He would
Introduction
As we have seen the mocking of Jesus, the crucifixion and death of Jesus we must not overlook the burial of Jesus. Many times, pastors will jump past this event to get to the resurrection. Matthew has the burial of Jesus included for a reason and our Lord’s burial is rather astounding. In it we see clear and meaningful theology. We also see the providence of God as all the details are worked out through human actions.
We will see the extravagant act of devotion and an extreme act of detestation, both serving God’s purposes in honoring His Son.
Matthew 27:57–66 (ESV)
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
1. The Extravagant Act of Devotion: Joseph of Arimathea Goes to Pilate (27:57-61)
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
After a crucifixion, most bodies that were left were simply abandoned. They were either left hanging on their crosses or thrown to the ground and left to decay and to be eaten by scavengers. This was, however, the Passover Celebration and a high day coming. On this occasion the bodies were not left on their crosses but removed before sunset on Friday. Jesus died on the nineth hour (3PM) so that leaves only three hours before the Sabbath begins.
What will happen to the body of Jesus?
There are factors to consider. To come in contact with a dead body meant that the person became unclean for a number of days and could not enter the temple to worship. This is the Passover celebration.
The question of who will care for the body of Jesus now becomes even more puzzling. Then we must ask the question, where are the disciples? As we see who was there, we are also shown, if you will, who was not there.
For Joseph of Arimathea to take all the steps he took to honor Jesus even after His death shows great and extravagant devotion. He and those helping had to move quickly.
Throughout this section, Joseph is shown to be acting alone and yet because of his great wealth he, no doubt, had many employees who were helping.
This great act of worship has been compared to Mary’s anointing of Jesus with her very expensive perfume.
What do we really know about Joseph of Arimathea?
While there is not much information in the Bible about Joseph of Arimathea, there are certain things we can glean from the Gospel accounts.
Luke 23:50–51 (ESV)
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
In Luke 23:50, we learn that Joseph was actually a part of the Council, or Sanhedrin—the group of Jewish religious leaders who called for Jesus’ crucifixion. However, as we read on to verse 51, we see that Joseph was opposed to the Council’s decision and was in fact a secret follower of Jesus (see also Mark 15:43).
Joseph was a wealthy man (Matthew 27:57), although the source of his wealth is unknown. In addition, the Bible refers to Joseph as a “good and upright man” (Luke 23:50).
Arimathea is a Judean town about twenty miles north of Jerusalem. Joseph had probably took up residence in Jerusalem and had hewn out a family tomb. Matthew is the only Gospel writer that mentions that Joseph was rich…why does Matthew mention this detail? This is one of the many prophecies that have confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and Son of God.
Isaiah 53:9 (ESV)
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
So, to fulfill prophecy concerning the Messiah, Matthew makes sure to mention the social status of Joseph…he was rich. Even after His death, there are OT prophecies coming true concerning Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
So, Joseph gave his family tomb to Jesus. These tombs were very large. Many were cut out of the rock with many different compartments for the burial of family members. Some of the largest have spaces for as many as sixty bodies. This was an extravagant gift. The Gospel writers tell us it was a new tomb, meaning that no bodies had yet been placed inside. It was Joseph’s family tomb.
If Joseph had not have stepped in and gained possession of Jesus’ body, Isaiah tells us He would have been buried with the evil and wicked sinners. But Jesus was not evil and wicked so God moved in the heart of Joseph and Jesus was buried in a family tomb of a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea.
So, we have the doctrine of Jesus’ sinless perfection shown even as the place of His burial had been selected by God. Jesus was not buried with the wicked but in the tomb of a disciple.
For Joseph to go to Pilate meant that he is now known to be a disciple of Jesus. Rome had just executed Jesus and to be found associating with Jesus meant bring Rome’s attention upon yourself.
John 19:38–42 (ESV)
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Did you see who was helping Joseph? None other than our old friend Nicodemus. We saw him in John 3. He came to Jesus by night also in secrecy. What’s happening here? Two secret disciples are secret disciples no longer. Their faith is now public.
I pray we are not secret disciples. Do you only associate with Jesus when it’s convenient? Are you a follower of Christ regardless who you are with? Are you afraid like Joseph was?
Joseph takes possession of the body and with his workers and with Nicodemus, has the body quickly prepared for burial. He wraps Jesus’ body in a new linen shroud and with great care lays his body in the tomb and Nicodemus begins the embalming process then they seal the tomb with a large rock.
Another prophecy that is fulfilled at the burial and resurrection was given by Jesus, Himself.
Matthew 12:38–40 (ESV)
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Our Lord’s burial must take place for these prophecies to be fulfilled. Unlike many who were crucified and either left on the cross or left on the ground, Jesus’ burial would be done very quickly and precisely as God intended and it would show His identity as the Messiah.
Jesus uses prophecy and fulfillment to prove His identity as the Messiah.
John 13:19 (ESV)
19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
In verse 61, the text tells us at that point, Joseph leaves. We also read that the women stay and watch.
61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
These women were at the cross looking on and they are here at the tomb also looking on. They will serve the role of witnesses. Again, we are left wondering where are the disciples?
We have four people according to the Gospel accounts…Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the two Marys and that’s it.
2. An Extreme Act of Detestation: The Jews Go to Pilate
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
At some point in their plot to kill Jesus and now at His burial the religious leaders in Jerusalem remembered something He had said. They didn’t remember it and believe it they remembered it and sought to eliminate it. Jesus had taught, mostly privately, that He would be raised from the dead after three days. They may have heard Him from one of the occasions like I mentioned previously…the sign of Jonah where Jesus declared that on the third day He would rise from the dead. Some think this may have been another act of Judas to tell them what Jesus had taught. At any rate, we do not know how or when they heard of Jesus’ teaching but we see clearly it had them concerned.
You see, to even claim a resurrection would go very far with the people. The Jews did not want even a hint of Jesus and His teaching to remain.
So concerned were these chief priests and Pharisees that they broke tradition and on a high Sabbath went to see Pilate. Matthew uses language that highlights their animosity and hatred that they would break tradition and defile themselves. Typically they would gather together around the Word and worship but here, they gathered together on this high Sabbath Day and together defiled themselves to go to Pilate and demand that Jesus’ body be placed under Roman guard.
Remember, Pilate was a gentile and so to be in his presence and in his room within the Roman Praetorium they would have made themselves unclean. They probably thought their act was justified. They hated Jesus so much that they would not even say His name, but rather called Him… that impostor.
That Imposter is a very telling accusation. To call Jesus that imposter is to acknowledge they understood who Jesus claimed to be. They did not believe Him of course but this at least shows there was no confusion in their minds as to who Jesus was claiming to be, namely, the Messiah King, the Son of God.
In their demands to Pilate they also show us the absolute proof that Jesus, at this point, is genuinely dead.
63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’
They go to Pilate and demand he place guards at the tomb. Pilate had already given them temple guards and so he tells these Jews to use their guards and make the tomb as secure as they can.
Their plea was to send guards because the disciples will seek to manufacture a scam resurrection and if that happens…you think things were bad before that is nothing compared to what they will be after a resurrection.
So, in their fear of a fake resurrection, they actually help us see that Jesus was dead.
To Pilate they were saying, you think He was an insurrectionist while He was alive, think about the followers He will have after His disciples claim He actually did come back to life.
64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”
So, the purpose of the Jewish leadership’s request for soldiers to guard the tomb was to prevent a hoax.
The Roman guards sealed the stone. This refers to placing a Roman seal on the stone with the claim that this tomb was under Roman protection. If you break this seal, you will bear the wrath of Rome. The guards were to make sure the body of Jesus was not removed by the disciples.
What we should see here is that the enemies of Jesus had no power over what God was doing. No guard at the tomb or no Roman seal could hinder Jesus’ real resurrection. In fact, those efforts to keep a supposed hoax from being carried out even adds credibility to the real resurrection of Jesus. It happened behind a Roman seal and under the guard of Roman soldiers.
We must look and analyze what these Jews were doing. They had plotted to kill Jesus once even on a Sabbath. They had hired Judas as a hitman to betray Jesus. They knew He was innocent the entire time and still worked to have Jesus murdered. They knew the thirty pieces of silver was blood money. They knew He was innocent of all charges and pressured Pilate to have Jesus crucified. They started a riot in from of Pilate’s residence and called for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. The exact things they said Jesus was guilty of, they were doing. They were guilty of Blasphemy, they were the real insurrectionists, they were murderers and liars. They were the ones actually breaking the Sabbath by going to a gentile governor on the Sabbath.
No power on earth can thwart God’s plans.
I’m reminded of Psalm 2…
Psalm 2:4–6 (ESV)
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
Conclusion
God is sovereign over this world and all its inhabitants. He presides over all events and by providence rules all creatures and that providence and authority reign over us.
He has placed His King on His holy hill. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and God the Father has given His Son all authority. So, these truths mean something to all people. For those who disregard them, like the Jews in our account, like Pilate and the guards, all their efforts to keep what God desires to happen from happening only make God’s providence more meaningful. In the process, they have been shown to be God’s enemies.
However, for us who are God’s people these truths are glorious. God’s sovereignty means that even though things may seem hopeless as with the burial of Jesus, things are not hopeless because God’s promises are still in place.
If you are ever in a situation when you think things are hopeless, remember, in Christ all of God’s promises are yes and amen for you. He will work all things out for your good and His glory. All who oppose God they get laughed at by Him. All their planning and scheming all their well-intended arguments will come to nothing. It’s like they are guarding the tomb trying to keep the resurrection from happening and God is laughing.
I pray that you have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord…then and only then is Paul’s verses true for you…
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Then there are those who do not love God…
Psalm 2:1–4 (ESV)
2 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Remember, the death and burial of Jesus is a necessity if there is to be the resurrection of Jesus.
Resources Used:
The Gospel of Matthew by RT France
The Gospel of Matthew by MacArthur
The Gospel of Matthew by William Hendrikson
The Gospel of Matthew by Doriani
