Matthew 27 58

Matthew 27:58 kjv

He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

Matthew 27:58 nkjv

This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

Matthew 27:58 niv

Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

Matthew 27:58 esv

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

Matthew 27:58 nlt

went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 58 Meaning

Matthew 27:58 describes a pivotal moment immediately following the death of Jesus, where Joseph of Arimathea courageously approached Pontius Pilate to request the body of Jesus for burial. Pilate, the Roman governor who had condemned Jesus, granted this request by official command, thereby legally releasing Jesus' corpse to Joseph. This act ensured that Jesus received a proper burial, an unusual privilege for a crucified criminal, and was crucial for the integrity of the resurrection narrative.

Matthew 27 58 Context

Matthew 27 opens with Jesus' trial before Pilate, the governor's attempts to release Him, and ultimately His condemnation to crucifixion. The chapter vividly details Jesus' suffering on the cross, His last cry, and His death. Immediately prior to verse 58, the passage describes the powerful cosmic signs accompanying Jesus' death: the tearing of the temple curtain, the earthquake, splitting rocks, opening tombs, and the resurrection of saints. These events deeply affected those present, including the centurion who declared Jesus truly the Son of God. The usual Roman practice was to leave crucified bodies exposed or dispose of them in common pits, serving as a deterrent. However, Jewish law (Deut 21:23) mandated burial before sunset for executed individuals, especially crucial as the Sabbath, a high holy day (Passover Sabbath), was approaching. It is into this somber yet divinely significant setting that Joseph of Arimathea steps forward, providing the context for his unusual and bold request.

Matthew 27 58 Word analysis

• This man (οὗτος, houtos): Refers directly back to Joseph of Arimathea from the preceding verse (Matt 27:57). The Greek demonstrative pronoun emphasizes his distinct action. It highlights an unexpected individual coming forward when others, including the prominent disciples, had fled. His rich status (v. 57) implies influence, yet his actions display deep reverence.
• went (προσελθὼν, proselthōn): "Having come near," "approached." This is an aorist participle, indicating an action that precedes the main verb (asked). It implies a deliberate, direct, and courageous move toward Pilate, a figure of formidable power and authority who had just sanctioned the death of Joseph's Lord.
• to Pilate: Refers to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, the supreme legal authority. Any request concerning a crucified body required his personal authorization. Joseph's direct appeal shows his resolve to ensure a proper burial.
• and asked (ᾐτήσατο, ētesato): "Requested," "begged," "petitioned." An earnest and specific plea. The imperfect tense in other Gospels (e.g., Mk 15:43, Lk 23:52) might suggest an ongoing or significant request. Here, it is direct and immediate. Joseph sought custody of the body, recognizing its importance and perhaps his obligation as a righteous Jewish man.
• for Jesus’ body (τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, to sōma tou Iēsou): Specifically, "the body of Jesus," not just "a body." This emphasizes the physical reality of Christ's death and remains, crucial for affirming the physicality of the resurrection. This phrase stresses the continuity of Jesus' person from death to burial. The disciples having fled, it fell to others to provide this last act of devotion.
• And Pilate (ὁ Πιλᾶτος, ho Pilatos): The definite article "the" re-emphasizes Pilate as the established authority, whose decision is paramount. His involvement validates the death and subsequent burial.
• commanded (ἐκέλευσεν, ekeleusen): "Ordered," "issued a decree," "gave command." This indicates an authoritative and official act. Pilate's swift and unquestioning order, especially for a condemned criminal, is notable. It could stem from his prior declaration of Jesus' innocence, guilt over his judgment, or desire to comply with Jewish custom (to avoid defiling the Sabbath) to prevent further unrest.
• it to be given (δοθῆναι, dothēnai): An infinitive, literally "to be given." It highlights the direct transaction and transfer of custody. The body was legally and officially released to Joseph, preventing claims that it was stolen or otherwise disposed of, thereby fortifying the resurrection account.
• to him: Refers to Joseph of Arimathea, the recipient of the command and the body.

Words-group Analysis

• "This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body": This entire phrase conveys Joseph's incredible courage and conviction. As a "secret disciple" (Jn 19:38) before, he now publicly associates himself with Jesus, making a high-risk request for the body of a crucified man. This public display of allegiance starkly contrasts with the fear and desertion of other disciples, fulfilling the divine necessity for a proper burial.
• "And Pilate commanded it to be given to him": This demonstrates the divine orchestration at play even amidst human power. Pilate, the very one who delivered Jesus to crucifixion, now facilitates His burial, albeit unknowingly serving God's purposes. His prompt compliance, without hesitation or requiring payment (as might be expected for such a body), highlights the undeniable providence of God in ensuring Jesus received an honorable burial, consistent with prophecy (Isa 53:9).

Matthew 27 58 Bonus section

The seemingly administrative detail of Pilate commanding the body to be given over to Joseph is critical in substantiating the bodily resurrection. Had the body remained on the cross, or been tossed into a common pit, the exact location and identity of the corpse could have been debated. However, Pilate's explicit command for the body to be given to a named individual, who then prepared it for burial and placed it in a known, private tomb (Matt 27:60), eliminates ambiguity about where Jesus' body was. This governmental decree and documented transfer later strengthened the witness to the empty tomb, as the very authorities who had supervised the burial also certified the removal of the body, allowing for later claims of resurrection to be founded on a clear chain of custody. It implicitly confirms both the reality of Jesus' death and the specific location of His burial, making any theory of a stolen body harder to sustain under scrutiny from Roman guards later (Matt 27:62-66; 28:11-15).

Matthew 27 58 Commentary

Matthew 27:58 presents a critical step in the passion narrative: the lawful transfer of Jesus' body. This seemingly simple administrative act carries profound theological weight. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and influential Jewish man, unexpectedly steps forward with extraordinary courage. At a time when fear gripped Jesus' closest followers, Joseph's bold public association with the condemned Messiah signals an awakening of faith and deep reverence. His request to Pilate was not trivial; Roman procedure often dictated that crucified bodies remain as a public spectacle or were disposed of dishonorably. For Pilate to immediately command the release of the body signifies Roman acknowledgment of Jesus' death and facilitates the meticulous fulfillment of Jewish burial customs before the Sabbath. This divine superintendence ensured Jesus received a burial "with the rich" as prophesied, differentiating His resting place from common criminals. This specific act lays the verifiable groundwork for the empty tomb and subsequent resurrection appearances, underscoring the physicality of Christ's death and triumph over it.