Bible Basics

Christ's Burial

Matthew records that after the death of Christ on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea claimed the body from Pilate.  After he “had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock, and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed” (Matt. 27:57-60). It is estimated that a stone large enough to cover a 5 foot door way would weigh approximately 2 tons. However, this enormous rock would not be enough to satisfy the chief priests and Pharisees who reminded Pilate that Jesus said, “After three days I will rise.” They asked Pilate to “command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead’” (Matt. 27:62-64). “Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone, and setting the guard”  (v. 65, 66). The seal involved stretching a cord across the rock fastened at either end with sealing clay, the clay being stamped with the official signet of the Roman governor. The placing of a seal served not only as a security precaution, but also was considered a mode of authentication. In other words, the seal on Jesus’ tomb was a public testimony that Jesus’ body was actually there.

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics