Chapter

Matthew 27:58

ESV He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
NIV Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
NASB This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
CSB He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released.
NLT went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.
KJV He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
NKJV This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

What does Matthew 27:58 mean?

Joseph, a wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin, has come forward to help the friends of Jesus deal with His body (Matthew 27:50). Joseph is a secret follower of Jesus (John 19:38) who now decides to act boldly. He goes to Pilate and asks if he can take Jesus' body away now that He has died.

We know from Mark's gospel that Pilate is surprised Jesus is already dead (Mark 15:44). Crucifixions could sometimes last for days; the cruel process was designed with that in mind. The fact that Jesus was viciously flogged and beaten prior to the crucifixion (John 19:1–4) likely made His death much quicker. While Romans often left criminals to rot as a warning, this was an offensive practice to Jews (Deuteronomy 21:22–23). With a major religious feast at hand (John 19:31; Matthew 27:62), Pilate would have no reason not to let the dead be buried immediately.

Pilate confirms with a centurion that Jesus is dead (John 19:31–34) and agrees to give the corpse to Joseph. The gospel writers are careful to clarify, repeatedly, that Jesus was entirely and unmistakably devoid of life. This was meant to combat false rumors that He may have not truly died and was not therefore truly resurrected.
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