New Testament
Matthew 27:64
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
So give the order to secure the tomb until the 3rd day. Otherwise, his disciples might come at night, steal the body, and tell the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' That deception would be even worse than the first."
Compare translations
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
What Matthew 27:64 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the chief priests and Pharisees are concerned about the potential for Jesus' disciples to steal His body from the tomb after His crucifixion. They fear that if this happens, the disciples will claim that Jesus has risen from the dead, which they believe would mislead the people even more than the original claims about Jesus being the Messiah. To prevent this, they request that the tomb be secured until the third day, ensuring that no one can tamper with the body. This reflects their deep-seated fear of Jesus' influence and the possibility of His resurrection, which they see as a threat to their authority and beliefs. The mention of the 'third day' is significant, as it foreshadows the actual resurrection of Jesus, which would indeed occur as prophesied, despite their efforts to prevent it.
How to apply Matthew 27:64 to your life
This verse reminds us of the lengths people will go to protect their beliefs and authority. It challenges us to examine our own fears and how they might lead us to resist truth. We should remain open to the possibility of change and the unexpected ways God can work in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: The Burial (Matthew 27:57–66)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Nazareth
The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 27:64
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 27:64
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 27:64 mean?
Matthew 27:64 describes the concern of the chief priests and Pharisees about Jesus' disciples stealing His body from the tomb and claiming He has risen. They request that the tomb be secured until the third day to prevent this potential deception.
What is the significance of the third day in Matthew 27:64?
The mention of the third day in Matthew 27:64 is significant because it foreshadows Jesus' actual resurrection, which occurs on the third day after His crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecies about His rising from the dead.
What does this verse reveal about the fears of the religious leaders?
This verse reveals that the religious leaders were deeply afraid of losing their authority and influence due to Jesus' teachings and the possibility of His resurrection, prompting them to take extreme measures to control the narrative.
How does Matthew 27:64 relate to the theme of authority?
Matthew 27:64 illustrates the theme of authority by showing how the chief priests and Pharisees sought to maintain their power and control over the people by attempting to prevent any claims of Jesus' resurrection.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.