Matthew 27:64
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.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 33
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
6 of 33
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτης
the third
G5154
τρίτης
the third
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
8 of 33
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
ἡμέρας
day
G2250
ἡμέρας
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
9 of 33
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
ἐλθόντες
come
G2064
ἐλθόντες
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
11 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 33
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
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 33
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαῷ
unto the people
G2992
λαῷ
unto the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
21 of 33
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
Ἠγέρθη
He is risen
G1453
Ἠγέρθη
He is risen
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
22 of 33
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
23 of 33
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλάνη
error
G4106
πλάνη
error
Strong's:
G4106
Word #:
30 of 33
objectively, fraudulence; subjectively, a straying from orthodoxy or piety
χείρων
worse than
G5501
χείρων
worse than
Strong's:
G5501
Word #:
31 of 33
from an obsolete equivalent ????? (of uncertain derivation); more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How did the leaders' attempt to prevent resurrection actually provide evidence for it?
- What 'last errors' do we fear might prove true, causing us to suppress evidence rather than investigate honestly?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.