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In this lesson:
First, King Herod tried to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:13). Then, an angry mob attempted to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:16-30). Later, the high priest conspired to murder Him (Mark 14:1; John 5:18), and twice Jesus was almost stoned to death (John 8:59; 10:31). These all failed to kill the Messiah. But in this passage, as prophesied in the Old Testament, Jesus fulfills the Mosaic Law and is crucified. Study Tip: Scroll back and forth between the "New Living Translation" and "The King James Bible" whenever you encounter a difficult passage. |
The entombment of Jesus Christ
By the Italian baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) |
Who was -
Elias -
Elias was born in Tishbeh, Gilead (2 Kings 1:3; 1:8), and was devoutly religious. He preached against the paganism and idol worship that flourished under Israel's wayward King Ahab and his gentile wife, Jezebel. Jezebel, a follower of the pagan god Baal introduced Baalism to King Ahab and Israel. Baalism was a cruel and vicious religion that practiced infanticide. Followers of Baal participated in sex orgies and sacrificed infants to their false god, then stored the tiny remains in jars. Under Ahab and Jezebel, Israel turned away from God (1 Kings 19:10) in favor of Baal.
God granted Elias the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14). He raised the dead, called down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:10-12), parted the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:8), and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias called for Israel to repent and brought the pagan priests of Baal to justice (I Kings 18:40). He challenged King Ahab to build two altars - one for Baal and the other for God - to demonstrate who was the true God. Naturally, Baal could not answer prayers or perform miracles. God settled the argument by consuming Baal's altar with fire, leading the Israelites to reject Baal and return to God.
Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11). Centuries later, he famously stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). The Old Testament promises that Elias will return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46, and 2 Kings 1-2.
Mary Magdalene -
From the village of Magdala, she is one of the seven Marys mentioned in the New Testament. After Jesus freed her from seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), Mary became a devoted follower and traveled with Jesus and His group right up to and including the final trip to Jerusalem and crucifixion (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). While others fled, Mary bravely stood vigil beside the cross until Jesus died (Luke 23:46-49). She was still on Calvary when Jesus was taken off the cross and buried (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55).
Three days later, along with Salome and Mary (the mother of James), she went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and found the grave empty. Mary Magdalene was among the first to hear of Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8) and the first to see Him after He had arisen (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-16).
Joseph of Arimathaea -
Joseph was a well-connected Pharisee and a wealthy (Matthew 27:57) member of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish high council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51). He was a believer (John 19:38), but kept his faith secret out of fear of the other Pharisees (John 12:42). Joseph was not present when his fellow Sanhedrin members convicted the Messiah of blasphemy (Luke 23:50-51).
After the crucifixion, Joseph revealed his faith and "begged" Pilate for Jesus' body. He took Jesus down from the cross (Mark 15:43-46), prepared Him for burial, and provided the tomb for Jesus to be buried in (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42). According to John 19:39, Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin, helped Joseph bury Jesus. Joseph appears in all four Gospels. Do you know a Joseph, someone who keeps their faith secret?
Elias -
Elias was born in Tishbeh, Gilead (2 Kings 1:3; 1:8), and was devoutly religious. He preached against the paganism and idol worship that flourished under Israel's wayward King Ahab and his gentile wife, Jezebel. Jezebel, a follower of the pagan god Baal introduced Baalism to King Ahab and Israel. Baalism was a cruel and vicious religion that practiced infanticide. Followers of Baal participated in sex orgies and sacrificed infants to their false god, then stored the tiny remains in jars. Under Ahab and Jezebel, Israel turned away from God (1 Kings 19:10) in favor of Baal.
God granted Elias the power to perform miracles (2 Kings 1:9-14). He raised the dead, called down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:10-12), parted the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:8), and caused the rain to stop for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). Elias called for Israel to repent and brought the pagan priests of Baal to justice (I Kings 18:40). He challenged King Ahab to build two altars - one for Baal and the other for God - to demonstrate who was the true God. Naturally, Baal could not answer prayers or perform miracles. God settled the argument by consuming Baal's altar with fire, leading the Israelites to reject Baal and return to God.
Elias ascended into heaven without dying in "a chariot of fire" (2 Kings 2:11). Centuries later, he famously stood with Moses at Jesus' side during the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8). The Old Testament promises that Elias will return just before "the day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). To learn more about Elias, see 1 Kings 17:1-20, 1 Kings 18:1-46, and 2 Kings 1-2.
Mary Magdalene -
From the village of Magdala, she is one of the seven Marys mentioned in the New Testament. After Jesus freed her from seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), Mary became a devoted follower and traveled with Jesus and His group right up to and including the final trip to Jerusalem and crucifixion (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). While others fled, Mary bravely stood vigil beside the cross until Jesus died (Luke 23:46-49). She was still on Calvary when Jesus was taken off the cross and buried (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55).
Three days later, along with Salome and Mary (the mother of James), she went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body and found the grave empty. Mary Magdalene was among the first to hear of Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8) and the first to see Him after He had arisen (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-16).
Joseph of Arimathaea -
Joseph was a well-connected Pharisee and a wealthy (Matthew 27:57) member of the Sanhedrin, the powerful Jewish high council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51). He was a believer (John 19:38), but kept his faith secret out of fear of the other Pharisees (John 12:42). Joseph was not present when his fellow Sanhedrin members convicted the Messiah of blasphemy (Luke 23:50-51).
After the crucifixion, Joseph revealed his faith and "begged" Pilate for Jesus' body. He took Jesus down from the cross (Mark 15:43-46), prepared Him for burial, and provided the tomb for Jesus to be buried in (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42). According to John 19:39, Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin, helped Joseph bury Jesus. Joseph appears in all four Gospels. Do you know a Joseph, someone who keeps their faith secret?
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 27:45-66
Jesus dies and is buried 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. 57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 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. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. |
Margin notes:
"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." (27:45) - "From noon until 3PM there was darkness over all the land." Jim Bishop, author of "The Day Christ Died", (Harper & Brothers, New York, New York, page 299) reports that this darkness was seen worldwide. "The darkness, which was like looking through extra-strong sun glasses, seems to have pervaded the world at this hour. Phlegon (Greek historian) wrote that in the fourth year of the two hundred and second Olympiad, there was a great darkness over Europe, surpassing anything that had ever been seen. At mid-day, he said, the stars could be seen. At the same time an earthquake caused much damage in Nicaea (present-day Iznik, Turkey). Tertullian (author and early Christian) found in the records of Rome a notation of world-wide darkness which the statesmen of the Empire couldn't explain." "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani." (27:46) - Jesus is speaking in Aramaic. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (27:46) - Bearing the weight of all mankind's sins, Jesus was feeling the full wrath of God. His words were first spoken by King David (Psalm 22:1) centuries earlier. "Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias." (27:47) - It is understandable that some who watched the crucifixion mistakenly thought that Jesus was calling for the prophet Elias. The pronunciation of "Eli" is similar to the Aramaic pronunciation of "Elias." "Straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed." (27:48) - Means "Immediately, one of them ran and got a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, and held it up to Jesus on a stick." Just as prophesied in Psalm 69:21 centuries earlier. "The rest said, Let be." (27:49) - "The rest said, let him be." "The veil of the temple was rent in twain." (27:51) - "The veil in the temple was torn in two." See "Today's Question" below. "The rocks rent." (27:51) - "The rocks broke apart." "The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose." (27:52) - Proof that Jesus had defeated the power of death. "Truly this was the Son of God." (27:54) - Jesus' disciples first spoke these words after they saw the Messiah walk on water (Matthew 14:33). They are now echoed by the centurion (officer) and the men who mocked Jesus, gambled for His clothes, and nailed Him to the cross. Just like the disciples before them, they now believed that Jesus is the Son of God. "Beholding afar off." (27:55) - "Watching from afar." "The mother of Zebedees children." (27:56) - This is Salome, Zebedee's wife, the Virgin Mary's sister (Jesus' aunt), and the mother of the disciples James and John (Mark 10:35). Salome was a devoted follower of Christ and once asked Jesus for a favor (Matthew 20:20-21). While most of the disciples fled during the crucifixion, Salome not only went to Calvary, but also remained there until the very end (Matthew 27:54-56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). Three days later, she went to Jesus' tomb to anoint His body with spices but found the grave empty (Mark 16:1-8). Not to be confused with Salome, the daughter of Herod Philip and Herodias, who asked for the head of John the Baptist. "When the even was come." (27:57) - "When evening had come." "Laid it in his own new tomb." (27:60) - Jesus was laid to rest with the wicked in Joseph of Arimathaea's (a rich man) tomb, just as accurately prophesied in Isaiah 53:9 seven hundred years before He was crucified. "Rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre." (27:60) - "Rolled a large stone in front of the door to the tomb." "Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre." (27:61) - "Mary, sitting across from the tomb." "After three days I will rise again." (27:63) - Jesus predicted His resurrection about a dozen times. Here are four examples: Matthew 12:40, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22, and John 2:19. "The sepulchre be made sure." (27:64) - Means "The tomb is made secure." "Ye have a watch." (27:65) - "You have guards." |
You can read more about the death and burial of Jesus Christ in Mark 15:33-49, Luke 23:44-55, and John 19:28-42.
New Living Translation
Matthew 27:45-66
The Death of Jesus
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.
46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.
48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.
49 But the rest said, "Wait! Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him."
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.
53 They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "This man truly was the Son of God!"
55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,
58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.
59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.
60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.
61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.
63 They told him, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise from the dead.'
64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first."
65 Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Death of Jesus
45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.
46 At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah.
48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink.
49 But the rest said, "Wait! Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him."
50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,
52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.
53 They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, "This man truly was the Son of God!"
55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,
58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.
59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.
60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.
61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.
63 They told him, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise from the dead.'
64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first."
65 Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (27:46)
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." (27:50-51)
"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." (27:54)
"And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." (27:60)
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." (27:50-51)
"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." (27:54)
"And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." (27:60)
Today's Question:
1. Why did the Temple curtain tear when Jesus died on the cross? (27:50-51)
The more time you spend with your Bible, the more it opens up to you.
1. Why did the Temple curtain tear when Jesus died on the cross? (27:50-51)
The more time you spend with your Bible, the more it opens up to you.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. According to the "Quest Study Bible" (published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Pg. 1432), "The large blue, purple and scarlet curtain separated the Holy Place (of the temple) from the Most Holy Place, an inner room which symbolized God's presence (Exodus 26:31-33). Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year. The curtain was in effect, the barrier that separated people from God."
When Jesus died on the cross, the tearing of the sixty-by-thirty-foot curtain in two was God's symbolic announcement that there was no longer a wall separating us from Him. We now have direct access to God (Hebrews 9:1-15 and 10:19-22). Thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the barrier between God and man, created by Adam and Eve's sin, is forever gone.
Application thought for the day:
Joseph of Arimathaea, a Jewish leader and member of the powerful Sanhedrin, believed that Jesus was the Messiah. To avoid reprisals from the high priests, he initially kept his faith a secret (John 19:38). However, after the Messiah's death, with the Messiah dead and His disciples in hiding,
Joseph risked everything by going public and "begging" Pilate for Jesus' body (27:58).
It's never too late to make your faith known.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke