The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how Matthew describes the day after the "day of preparation" by saying it's the day that followed it. This careful wording hints that these religious leaders, consumed by their fear and opposition to Jesus, were busy with worldly matters on what should have been a holy day. Their actions on this Sabbath underscore their hypocrisy, as they were willing to break their own strict Sabbath laws to prevent Jesus' resurrection from being believed.
The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately after Jesus was crucified and buried, His enemies—the chief priests and Pharisees—aren't resting. On the Sabbath, the day following the crucifixion and preparation, they gather with Pilate, still fearing Jesus and His disciples, specifically worried about Jesus' prediction of rising again. They demand Pilate post a guard and seal the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing the body and falsely claiming resurrection.
Why does Matthew use such a specific, almost clunky phrase like 'the next day, that followed the day of Preparation'? What's the significance of this timing?
Matthew's careful wording here is a brilliant theological move, especially considering the Jewish understanding of time.
The Clock Ticks Differently
The 'day of Preparation' (Preparation Day) was Friday – the day they got everything ready for the Sabbath. The Jewish day began at sunset. So, 'the next day, that followed the day of Preparation' technically means after sunset on Friday, marking the beginning of the Sabbath.
Strategic Silence
Matthew doesn't just say 'Sunday morning.' He highlights this transition from Preparation Day to Sabbath. This is key because:
Ask a follow-up
Why would the religious leaders, who had just seen Jesus crucified, be so terrified of his resurrection? And why did they go to Pilate?
The chief priests and Pharisees were driven by a potent mix of fear and a desire to control the narrative.
Fear of the Unthinkable
Despite Jesus being dead and buried, His predictions of rising again haunted them. They couldn't stop the resurrection itself, but they desperately wanted to prevent anyone from believing it happened.
A Convenient Lie
Their request to Pilate wasn't about preventing the resurrection, but about manufacturing evidence against it. By asking for a guard and sealing the tomb, they aimed to have a scapegoat ready: the disciples.
If the body disappeared, they could claim, "See? We told you he was a deceiver! His followers stole him away!"
Pilate's Role
Pilate, likely weary of Jewish affairs and perhaps even amused by their paranoia, granted their request. He gave them Roman soldiers – a detail that underscores the seriousness of their fear and their willingness to use Gentile authority to enforce their religious agenda.
What is the ultimate irony in the chief priests and Pharisees' attempt to secure Jesus' tomb?
What these religious leaders intended as a final act of control ironically became one of the most powerful proofs of the resurrection.
Foolishness vs. Wisdom
They thought they were being shrewd, guarding against a foolishly planned theft by grieving disciples. They sealed the tomb, set a watch – meticulous earthly precautions.
But they were guarding against the power of Almighty God. Their efforts were like trying to build a dam against the ocean.
Overruling Providence
God, in His sovereignty, allowed their plan to unfold. This guard, set by the enemies of Christ, would later become witnesses – albeit unwilling ones – to the empty tomb. Their report would be twisted, but the existence of the guard itself lent credibility to the resurrection account. It removed any doubt about the body simply being moved or misplaced.
The Best Defense is No Defense
By the time the women arrived with spices (on Sunday morning, before the Sabbath guard was possibly relieved or aware), the tomb was already found empty. The 'foolishness' of the enemies became the 'wisdom' of God's plan, confirming the impossible.
Understand the original words
paraskeuē · Greek Noun
Refers to Friday, the day before the Sabbath, when Jews made necessary preparations for the holy day, including the removal of bodies from crosses to avoid ritual impurity on the Sabbath.
archiereus · Greek Noun
The ruling religious body of the Jews; they held significant authority in religious matters and were often the primary antagonists to Jesus' ministry.
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and oral traditions; they were often characterized by their legalism and opposition to Jesus.
The timing of this event is crucial: the religious leaders' request to Pilate and the securing of the tomb happened *after* sunset on Friday, the start of the Sabbath and the Passover feast. This highlights their fear of Jesus' resurrection and their willingness to transgress their own Sabbath laws for their agenda.
c. AD 30, Nisan 14— this verse
Day of Preparation for Passover
This was the day Jesus was crucified. It was also the day before the Sabbath and the first day of the Passover festival, requiring extensive preparations.
c. AD 30, Nisan 15 (Sabbath)
The Sabbath and Passover Feast Begins
This day, immediately following the Day of Preparation, was the Sabbath. According to Jewish custom, it began at sunset on Friday.
c. AD 30, Nisan 15 (Evening)
Chief Priests and Pharisees Approach Pilate
Remembering Jesus' prediction of his resurrection, the religious leaders met with Pilate to request a guard for the tomb. This meeting occurred after sunset, marking the start of the Sabbath.
c. AD 30, Nisan 15 (Evening)
Sepulchre Secured
Pilate granted their request. The chief priests and Pharisees then sealed the stone of the tomb and set a guard of Roman soldiers to prevent the body from being stolen.
This passage clarifies the 'day of preparation' as the day before the Sabbath, highlighting the specific timing of events surrounding Jesus' death and burial.
This verse contrasts the actions of Jesus' enemies with His followers, showing that while the chief priests and Pharisees were strategizing, His disciples rested according to the commandment.
The act of sealing the stone to secure the tomb finds a parallel in Daniel's story, where a similar measure was taken to ensure the king's decree was not tampered with.
Matthew 28:11-15This passage describes the aftermath of the resurrection and the bribing of the Roman guards, directly connecting to the actions taken by the chief priests and Pharisees in Matthew 27:62.
Acts 1:1-3This passage demonstrates that Jesus presented Himself alive to His followers over a period of 40 days after His resurrection, providing further evidence that the guards' efforts were ultimately futile.
gillMatthew 27:62: "Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,"
Now the next day that followed the day of preparation,.... Which was the sabbath day; for the day of preparation was the day before the sabbath, Mark 15:42 , in which they prepared every thing necessary for the sabbath, and therefore was so called: and as this introduces the account of the chief priests and Pharisees, making application to Pilate, to secure the…
meyerMatthew 27:62: "Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,"
Matthew 27:62 Ἥτις ἐστὶ μετὰ τὴν παρασκ .] which follows the day of preparation , i.e. on Saturday . For παρασκεύη is used to designate the day that immediately precedes the Sabbath (as in the present instance) or any of the feast days. Comp. on John 19:14 . According to the Synoptists, the παρασκεύη of the Sabbath happened to coincide this year with the first…
Notice how Matthew describes the day after the "day of preparation" by saying it's the day that followed it. This careful wording hints that these religious leaders, consumed by their fear and opposition to Jesus, were busy with worldly matters on what should have been a holy day. Their actions on this Sabbath underscore their hypocrisy, as they were willing to break their own strict Sabbath laws to prevent Jesus' resurrection from being believed.
Immediately after Jesus was crucified and buried, His enemies—the chief priests and Pharisees—aren't resting. On the Sabbath, the day following the crucifixion and preparation, they gather with Pilate, still fearing Jesus and His disciples, specifically worried about Jesus' prediction of rising again. They demand Pilate post a guard and seal the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing the body and falsely claiming resurrection.
Immediately after Jesus was crucified and buried, His enemies—the chief priests and Pharisees—aren't resting. On the Sabbath, the day following the crucifixion and preparation, they gather with Pilate, still fearing Jesus and His disciples, specifically worried about Jesus' prediction of rising again. They demand Pilate post a guard and seal the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing the body and falsely claiming resurrection.
"The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate" — Notice how Matthew describes the day after the "day of preparation" by saying it's the day that followed it. This careful wording hints that these religious leaders, consumed by their fear and op…
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Last reviewed October 2026