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Christ's Tomb is Sealed
by by R.C. Sproul "So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard"
(v. 66).
If we had any doubt that Pilate had Jesus executed to prevent a riot, rather
than because Christ was guilty of attempting to overthrow Rome (Matt. 27:11–26),
the circumstances of our Lord's burial prove that the governor believed Jesus
was innocent as charged. Most crucified victims in ancient Rome were left on the
cross even after they were dead, and the elements and the animals took care of
the mess that was left. It was not unusual, however, for Roman authorities to
grant the body of a crucified person to his friends or family, provided he was
not guilty of high treason. Pilate evidently did not think Jesus was guilty,
otherwise he would not have given Christ's body to Joseph of Arimathea (vv.
57–60).
Like many other first-century Jerusalemites, Jesus was buried outside the city
in a cave hewn in a limestone hill. The "great stone" (v. 60) that sealed His
gravesite was set on an incline in a channel cut in the rock, making it easier
to cover the tomb by rolling the stone downhill. It took several men to roll the
stone back up the incline, which discouraged grave robbers and wild animals from
trying to enter the tomb. This refutes any theory that Jesus swooned, and, not
having died, regained consciousness and rolled the stone away Himself.
Other details that corroborate the historicity of the resurrection are the seal
and contingent of soldiers placed at the entrance to the tomb (vv. 62–66). The
seal was a soft, moldable substance, probably clay, that was imprinted with the
Roman imperial seal and attached to the stone with a rope. Breaking the seal
would incur the Empire's wrath - if someone could get past the guards.
The heavy stone should have been good enough for the religious authorities, but
their paranoia that a story might circulate about a resurrected Jesus prompted
them to seal His grave. They took these extra measures to prevent the theft of
Jesus' body, so fearful were they of losing their esteem. Yet ironically, we
find proof of Christ's resurrection in that their deeds were overcome. The timid
disciples surely could not have broken through the guards and seal. Jerome aptly
writes, "The greater their precautionary care, the more fully is revealed the
power of the resurrection" (Commentary on Matthew, 4.27.64).
Coram Deo
The death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a myth invented by
His disciples. He really died and He really rose again. There are many plausible
arguments for the resurrection of Jesus, and many Christian apologists have put
together helpful presentations of these details. This week, try to find a good
resource on the evidence for the resurrection and arm yourself to defend its
historicity should an opportunity ever present itself.
Passages for Further Study
Luke 1:1–4
Source: Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship of R.C. Sproul. All rights
reserved. Website: www.ligonier.org; Phone: 1-800-435-4343
- Matthew 27:62–66
John 21:24–25
Acts 1:12–26
2 Peter 1:16
See Also:
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