Matthew 27:65

Matthew 27:65 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
• New International Version (NIV)“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”

Context of Matthew 27:65

63and said, “Sir, we have remembered that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise [from the dead].’ 64Therefore, give orders to have the tomb made secure and safeguarded until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception [the reporting of His resurrection] will be worse than the first [the reporting that He is the Messiah].” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [of soldiers]; go [with them], make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66So they went and made the tomb secure, and along with [stationing] a guard of soldiers [to be on watch] they set a seal on the stone.

Matthew 27:65 word by word

Ἔφη αὐτοῖς ὁ Πιλᾶτος· ἔχετε κουστωδίαν· ὑπάγετε ἀσφαλίσασθε ὡς οἴδατε.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Pilateὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• PilateΠιλᾶτοςPilatos · PilateG4091
• saidφημίphēmi · to assertG5346
• unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• Ye haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• a watchκουστωδίαkoustōdia · guardG2892
• go your wayὑπάγωhupagō · to goG5217
• makeἀσφαλίζωasphalizō · to secureG805
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• ye canεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492

Cross-references for Matthew 27:65

• Matthew 28:11While they were on their way, some of the [Roman] guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
• Psalms 76:10For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will clothe and arm Yourself.
• Proverbs 21:30There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.

Commentaries on Matthew 27:65

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 65Ye have a watch - The Jews had a corps of Roman troops, consisting of several companies, as a guard for the temple, Acts 4:1. These companies mounted guard by turns, see Luke 22:4. Some of these companies, which were not then on duty, Pilate gave them leave to employ to watch the tomb.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 65Ye have a watch - The Jews had a guard of Roman soldiers, who kept watch in the tower of Antonia, on the northwest of the temple. Pilate either referred to these, or to the “watch” that attended the crucifixion - the whole “band” that had been appointed for that. As the torments of crucifixion sometimes lasted many days, the band had been probably granted to them during that time, and they were therefore still at the direction of the chief priests.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 62-66Verses 62-66 On the Jewish sabbath, the chief priests and Pharisees, when they should have been at their devotions, were dealing with Pilate about securing the sepulchre. This was permitted that there might be certain proof of our Lord's resurrection. Pilate told them that they might secure the sepulchre as carefully as they could. They sealed the stone, and set a guard, and were satisfied that all needful care was taken. But to guard the sepulchre…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 62-66This event supports the truth of Jesus resurrection. It is very unlikely that Matthew invented the story, because many witnesses were alive who could have denied it.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6565. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch--The guards had already acted under orders of the Sanhedrim, with Pilate's consent; but probably they were not clear about employing them as a night watch without Pilate's express authority. go your way, make it as sure as ye can--as ye know how, or in the way ye deem securest. Though there may be no irony in this speech, it evidently insinuated that if the event should be contrary to their wish, it would not be…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 27:65

• Jesus, the Christ
• Soldiers

In the dictionaries

• Pilate; Pontius
• Pilate
• Accusation
• Guard
• Notable
• Plat
• Seal
• Wag
• Watch
• Wont

Commentaries on Matthew 27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings