Matthew 27:65

| Matt 27 |

65 Pilate said to them, “You have k a guard [1] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Matthew 28:11

| Matt 28 |

The Report of the Guard

11 While they were going, behold, some of a the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.

Translation Notes

[1] 27:65 Or Take a guard

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Matt. 26:1–27:66 The Crucified Messiah. Matthew narrates the events leading to Jesus' death: (1) the Passover and Lord's Supper and events in Gethsemane (26:1–46); (2) Jesus' arrest, trials, and conviction (26:47–27:26); and (3) Jesus' flogging, crucifixion, death, and burial (27:27–66).

Matt. 27:51–66 Testimonies, Women Followers, and Burial. A series of testimonies—from the temple (v. 51), the dead (vv. 51b–53), and Gentiles (v. 54)—indicate the historical and theological impact of Jesus' death. Matthew mentions the women who watched these scenes unfold (vv. 55–56) and recounts the burial of Jesus and the posting of the guard at his tomb (vv. 57–66).

Matt. 27:65–66 guard. This was the same Roman military guard assigned to oversee temple security.

Matt. 28:1–20 The Resurrection and Commission of the Messiah. Matthew's concluding chapter recounts Jesus' resurrection from the dead. His resurrection confirms his identity and that his accomplishment at the cross was accepted by God the Father. Jesus now lives as the faithful companion, master, and Lord of those who respond to his great commission (vv. 16–20).

Matt. 28:11–15 The Conspiracy to Deny the Truth of Jesus' Resurrection. taken counsel. Faced with the reality of Jesus' resurrection, the religious leaders are forced once again (cf. 26:3–5) to conspire together in order to preserve their religious and political influence. The soldiers faced possible execution for dereliction of guard duty, one of the most severe offenses while occupying foreign territory. In cooperating with the Jewish religious leaders, they at least have a chance to save themselves.