That None Should Perish

April 4, 2026

Matthew 27:57-66

• 57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.
• 58 And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.
• 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.
• 60 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 as he left.
• 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting nearby watching the tomb.
• 62 The next day—on the Sabbath—the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.
• 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’
• 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”
• 65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”
• 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. “

I just want to share some facts about the tomb with you.

How the Romans sealed the tomb of Jesus was by placing a Roman guard, often four soldiers, at the site and affixing an official seal—likely rope and wax or clay impressed with an imperial signet—over a massive, heavy stone rolled across the entrance. Breaking this seal would incur the wrath of the Roman Empire.

Key Details of the Sealing:

• The Stone: A large stone, which was often found on an incline in 1st-century Jewish tombs, was rolled into a groove in front of the tomb entrance.
• The Seal: A rope was likely fastened across the stone and secured on both sides of the entrance with clay or wax. The Roman seal carried official legal authority and served as a sign of authentication and ownership.
• The Guard: Roman soldiers were posted to secure the site, creating a “human obstacle” to prevent the body from being stolen.
• Penalty: Unauthorized breaking of this official Roman seal, which meant tampering with a grave that was under guard, was punishable by severe penalties, including potential execution for the guards responsible, as well as anyone who broke it.  (Ligonier Ministries +8)

And we all know that Jesus overcame the tomb and is alive today!

AMEN!