Matthew 27:62
“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate.”
Context:Matthew 27 provides an account of the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Prior to this verse, Jesus had been crucified, and darkness covered the land from the sixth to the ninth hour. At the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the temple was torn in two, and there were earthquakes. The centurion and those guarding Jesus witnessed these events and acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God.
Study:
The day of preparation:The verse begins by mentioning “the day of the preparation.” This refers to the day before the Sabbath, during which the Jews would make necessary preparations for observing the Sabbath. In this context, it specifically refers to the day before the Sabbath during the Passover week when Jesus was crucified.
Chief priests and Pharisees:The chief priests and Pharisees were influential religious leaders in Jewish society at the time. They were responsible for maintaining the religious traditions and maintaining order among the people. In this verse, they came together with a specific purpose.
Coming together:The chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea at the time. The religious leaders sought Pilate after the crucifixion of Jesus to express their concerns and make a request.
Significance:
The significance of this verse lies in understanding the reason behind the chief priests and Pharisees approaching Pilate. In the subsequent verses (Matthew 27:63-66), they express their concerns regarding Jesus’ predictions of resurrection and request Pilate to secure the tomb by stationing guards and sealing it. They were afraid that Jesus’ followers might steal the body and claim that He had risen from the dead, which would further fuel the belief in Him as the Messiah.
This interaction with Pilate further emphasizes the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies, as He had foretold His resurrection on the third day (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19). The religious leaders’ actions inadvertently contribute to the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, as they take measures to prevent any possible tampering with the tomb.
Overall, Matthew 27:62 serves as a bridge between the crucifixion of Jesus and the subsequent events leading up to His resurrection. It highlights the ongoing opposition and fear among the religious leaders and their attempts to prevent the claims of Jesus’ resurrection.
