Matthew 27 60

Matthew 27:60 kjv

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Matthew 27:60 nkjv

and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Matthew 27:60 niv

and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matthew 27:60 esv

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.

Matthew 27:60 nlt

He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 60 Meaning

Matthew 27:60 describes the reverent burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. He placed Jesus' body in his personal, recently hewn tomb, a new sepulcher carved directly into solid rock. After placing the body inside, Joseph secured the tomb's entrance by rolling a massive stone against its door, and then departed, signifying the completion of the burial rites. This detailed account highlights the fulfillment of ancient prophecy and sets the scene for the resurrection.

Matthew 27 60 Context

This verse is situated immediately following Jesus' death on the cross (Mt 27:50), the accompanying natural phenomena (darkness, earthquake, tearing of the temple veil), and the acknowledgment by the Roman centurion that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and influential member of the Sanhedrin, stepped forward with remarkable courage to request Jesus' body from Pilate, which was typically left for public display or thrown into a common grave for criminals. The imminent Sabbath (which began at sunset on Friday) necessitated a swift burial. Therefore, the details of the "new tomb" and the "large stone" are crucial in establishing the proper and complete burial of Jesus, an act which would later provide undeniable proof of the miraculous resurrection that overcame death's confines.

Matthew 27 60 Word Analysis

• and laid it: (kai ethēken auto) - "And he placed it" or "put it." Signifies a careful and reverent placement of Jesus' body, rather than a hurried disposal. The action demonstrates honor in contrast to the disgrace of a criminal's death.
• in his own new tomb: (en tō idion kainō mnēmeiō)
  • his own: (idio) - Emphasizes Joseph's personal ownership of the tomb, highlighting his willingness to provide an honorable, undefiled burial place for Jesus. This act carried significant personal cost and public risk for Joseph, identifying him with Jesus even after death.
  • new: (kainō) - Means "fresh, unused." This detail is critical. A new tomb meant it had never housed another body, ensuring the purity and unique character of Jesus' resting place. This also prevents any claim that it was another person's resurrection. It directly fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9, "And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death."
  • tomb: (mnēmeiō) - Refers to a memorial or sepulchre. It wasn't a common grave or simple hole, but a specifically constructed, permanent burial place, typically a family plot.
• which he had hewn out of the rock: (ho elatomesen en tē petra)
  • hewn out: (elatomesen) - To "cut out" or "quarry," implying considerable effort, skill, and expense. Rock-cut tombs were solid, durable, and generally for the wealthy. This highlights the substantial provision made for Jesus' burial.
  • of the rock: (tē petra) - Indicates a solid, natural rock formation, making the tomb highly secure and demonstrating the permanence of the structure, but also highlighting the extraordinary nature of its being opened later.
• and he rolled a large stone: (kai prosekylisen lithon megan)
  • rolled: (prosekylisen) - Implies a heavy, physical exertion required to move such a barrier. These stones could be disc-shaped, rolled in a groove, or simpler, square blocks that had to be levered into place.
  • large stone: (lithon megan) - A significant barrier. This emphasizes the security of the tomb, preventing unauthorized entry or tampering. It later serves as physical proof that Jesus' body was secured, lending credibility to the angelic action that removed it, and debunking any claims of theft by the disciples.
• to the door of the tomb: (epi tē thyra tou mnēmeiou) - The stone served as the primary seal for the tomb's entrance, effectively closing it off from the outside world.
• and departed: (kai apēlphen) - Joseph's action after completing the solemn duty. His part in the burial process was finished. This signifies the completion of the human actions related to Jesus' death, preceding the divine actions of resurrection.

Words-group Analysis:

• "his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock": This phrase details the exceptional nature of Jesus' burial place. It emphasizes ownership (Joseph's generosity and boldness), novelty (ensuring Jesus' unique body would be distinct from any previous occupant), and permanence (carved from solid rock, signifying a lasting memorial). These characteristics implicitly fulfill Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53:9) and prevent later claims that Jesus’ body might have been mingled with others, laying the groundwork for clear resurrection proof.
• "and he rolled a large stone to the door of the tomb": This act underscores the intended finality and security of the burial from a human perspective. The immensity of the stone indicates a formidable barrier, one that human strength alone could not easily move. This setup is crucial for the dramatic narrative of the empty tomb, as it highlights the miraculous nature of its later removal (by an angel, Mt 28:2), not by human effort. It also prepares for the later actions of the authorities in securing the stone (Mt 27:66), further cementing its function as an objective, physical barrier that God overcame.

Matthew 27 60 Bonus section

• Courage of Joseph of Arimathea: Requesting the body of an executed criminal from Pilate was a courageous act that could have implicated Joseph as a follower and disgraced him publicly among his peers, the Jewish council. It showed profound faith and devotion.
• Contrast with Criminal Burials: Roman custom often dictated that executed criminals were left unburied or thrown into common graves. Joseph's actions ensured Jesus received an honorable, respectful burial befitting His true identity as Messiah and King, rather than the shameful burial of a condemned criminal.
• Strategic Sealing: Though Joseph rolled the stone, later the Jewish authorities asked Pilate to secure and seal it further, posting a guard (Mt 27:62-66). This extreme security effort by Christ's enemies inadvertently served to eliminate any claims of the disciples stealing the body, thereby strengthening the historical credibility of the empty tomb and resurrection.
• Sabbath Significance: The urgency of the burial (happening before sundown on Friday) highlights the strict adherence to Jewish law, underscoring the legal and cultural context surrounding Jesus' death and providing a fixed timeline for His "three days and three nights" in the tomb.

Matthew 27 60 Commentary

Matthew 27:60 concludes the initial account of Jesus' burial, presenting a seemingly final end to His earthly life. Joseph of Arimathea's act of providing "his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock" is significant, not merely as a practical necessity but as a theological statement. Firstly, it fulfilled the specific prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, demonstrating God's sovereign hand even in the midst of seeming defeat. Secondly, the "new" and rock-cut nature of the tomb ensured an undisturbed, distinct burial place for Jesus, preventing any confusion or arguments that it was another body or that decay had begun before resurrection. This clean slate was vital for proving the singular miracle of His bodily resurrection. The act of rolling a "large stone" to the entrance served as a physical seal, reinforcing the finality of death in human understanding. Yet, this formidable barrier was precisely what made the subsequent discovery of an empty tomb so undeniably miraculous and undeniable, proving Christ's victory over death and the grave. It provides the empirical proof of death and burial for a genuine resurrection.