Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:66

What does Matthew 27:66 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:66 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:66 means

The chief priests and Pharisees go, make the sepulchre secure, seal the stone, and set a guard. Their actions are thorough: they use official measures to prevent any claim of resurrection. Ironically, their effort to prevent an alleged deception becomes evidence that Jesus truly died and that his enemies feared his influence. The guard and seal increase the certainty that the later empty tomb cannot be explained away by theft. Their unbelief and anxiety thus furnish the gospel with stronger testimonial material for the resurrection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So they went, and made safe the place where his body was, putting a stamp on the stone, and the watchmen were with them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they, having gone, did make the sepulchre secure, having sealed the stone, together with the watch.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting guards.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they went and secured the sepulchre, having sealed the stone, with the watch [besides].

Context

This verse concludes the chapter, following Pilate’s permission (v. 65). It reports the leaders’ practical measures to secure the tomb, which sets up the next chapter’s resurrection narrative. Their guarded sealing ironically strengthens the future testimony of Jesus’ rising and the failure of their attempt to suppress the truth.

v.65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

v.66This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 28:2

    And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

  • 2 Timothy 2:19

    Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.

  • Matthew 28:11

    Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.

  • Daniel 6:17

    And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

  • Matthew 27:60

    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 tomb, and departed.

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