King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:64 Mean?

Matthew 27:64 in the King James Version says “Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him a... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 27:64 · KJV


Context

62

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64

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.

65

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day (ἀσφαλισθῆναι τὸν τάφον)—asphalisthēnai means secured, made infallibly safe. They requested military guard precisely until the resurrection deadline. Lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away—proposing the very conspiracy theory they'd later spread (28:13). Their fear drove them to seal the evidence.

So the last error shall be worse than the first—'first error' was following Jesus; 'last error' would be believing his resurrection. But their precautions backfired: the secured tomb, official seal, and Roman guard became unassailable proof of resurrection. When the tomb emptied despite these measures, only supernatural power could explain it. God used their scheming to strengthen resurrection evidence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman guards were 4-16 soldiers, trained and disciplined under pain of death for dereliction. The seal was cord and wax bearing Pilate's signet—breaking it meant execution. These measures made natural explanations impossible: theft required overpowering professional soldiers, moving a massive stone, and breaking a legal seal—all undetected. The chief priests accidentally created the perfect apologetic setup.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did the leaders' attempt to prevent resurrection actually provide evidence for it?
  2. What 'last errors' do we fear might prove true, causing us to suppress evidence rather than investigate honestly?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
κέλευσον1 of 33

Command

G2753

"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order

οὖν2 of 33

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἀσφαλισθῆναι3 of 33

be made sure

G805

to render secure

τὸν4 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τάφον5 of 33

that the sepulchre

G5028

a grave (the place of interment)

ἕως6 of 33

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

τῆς7 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τρίτης8 of 33

the third

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

ἡμέρας9 of 33

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

μήποτε10 of 33

lest

G3379

not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps)

ἐλθόντες11 of 33

come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

οἱ12 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταὶ13 of 33

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτὸν14 of 33

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

νυκτὸς15 of 33

by night

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

κλέψωσιν16 of 33

and steal

G2813

to filch

αὐτὸν17 of 33

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ18 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἴπωσιν19 of 33

say

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ20 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαῷ21 of 33

unto the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

Ἠγέρθη22 of 33

He is risen

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἀπὸ23 of 33

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν24 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νεκρῶν25 of 33

the dead

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

καὶ26 of 33

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσται27 of 33

shall be

G2071

will be

28 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐσχάτη29 of 33

the last

G2078

farthest, final (of place or time)

πλάνη30 of 33

error

G4106

objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety

χείρων31 of 33

worse than

G5501

from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)

τῆς32 of 33
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρώτης33 of 33

the first

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 27:64 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 27:64 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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