A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
Matthew 27:57-66
Lesson #72
EVENTS BETWEEN THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE ASCENSION
- Memory verse: Luk 23:43
- Read Mat 27:57-61
- We have discussed how all the disciples deserted Jesus in his hour of tribulation. However, there were some women who did not desert him. They were present at the cross and they came to the tomb after his burial. Because the women remained faithful, Jesus appeared first to them after the resurrection.
- Who were these women?
- Mary, Jesus’ mother
- Mary Magdalene
- Mary, the mother of James and Joses (Mar 15:47)
- Mary or Salome, the mother of James and John and sister to Mary, Jesus’ mother
- Jesus’ burial:
- Who was Joseph of Arimathaea?
- He was a rich Jew who was a follower of Jesus. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, but he did not vote for Jesus’ death (Luk 23:50-51).
- There was another member of the Sanhedrin who also believed in Jesus and did not vote for Jesus’ death. That was Nicodemus. It is possible that Nicodemus and Joseph were not called to the trial before the Sanhedrin. Joseph possessed a family tomb where Jesus was buried. Joseph is a contrast to Peter:
- Who was Joseph of Arimathaea?
| Peter: | Joseph: |
| During Jesus’ ministry he was outspoken regarding his belief in Jesus as the Messiah. | During Jesus’ ministry he was silent regarding his belief in Jesus due to fear of religious leaders. |
| When everyone deserted Jesus, Peter denied he knew him. | When everyone deserted Jesus, Joseph boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. |
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- Why didn’t Jesus’ mother claim the body?
- Jewish Law said a body had to be buried the same day. (Deu 21:22-23)
- According to Roman law family members could claim the body. If the body was unclaimed, it was left to the wild dogs.
- None of Jesus’ immediate family was rich enough to possess a tomb in Jerusalem that was ready for a burial that same day. Remember that Mary’s home was not Jerusalem. Joseph provided the perfect solution to fulfill Jewish Law. There is a legend that Joseph was Mary’s uncle, confirming the Roman law, though the Bible does not confirm that fact.
- The courage of Joseph:
- It took a lot of courage for Joseph to put himself on the side of someone that everyone thought was a condemned crucified criminal. In fact, it was dangerous for Joseph to make this public statement because of his position in the Sanhedrin and the hatred by the other leaders.
- Jesus was quickly buried before the night of Passover.
- Why didn’t Jesus’ mother claim the body?
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- Read Mat 27:62-66 The security of the tomb
- It is interesting that many non-believers invent many scenarios as to why Jesus never really raised from the dead.
- However, we see in this passage that God used non-believers to insure the security of the tomb so there would be no doubt of the reality of the resurrection.
- There was a large round stone that sealed the tomb.
- It was impossible for one or even two people to move this stone.
- There was a legal seal on the stone.
- Because this was a legal seal, the breaking of the seal was a criminal offense.
- There were Roman soldiers that guarded the tomb.
- If a soldier was caught sleeping while on guard, he was killed.
- This law insured that no one stole the body as some believed.
- There was a large round stone that sealed the tomb.
- The gospels do not tell us about the three days and three nights that Jesus was in the tomb. However, Paul does tell us. Those three days and three nights are very important to understanding some details about the resurrection.
- From the crucifixion to the ascension:
- Read Eph 4:8-10 and 1Pet 3:18-22
| Key Scripture: | Crucifixion to Ascension
Event: |
Explanation: |
| Crucifixion | Jesus became sin for us on the cross (2Cor 5:21) | |
| “First descended into the lower parts of the earth” (Eph 4:9) | He went to Hades (Sheol) to the Old Testament place of departed spirits both good and bad with a gulf between. (Luk 16:19-31) The good side was called “Abraham’s bosom”. The Torment side = Gahenna (Luk 16:23) | Because the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23) Jesus had to go to Hades/Sheol to demonstrate His victory over sin and death. |
| “…he went and preached Unto the spirits in prison” (1Pet 3:19) | Jesus announced to those imprisoned on both sides of Hades that He had carried man’s sin victoriously on the cross. | Jesus did not give those who had died a second chance. It was a declaration of victory to those of Noah’s day. |
| “He is not here, but is Risen!…the son of Man must be …crucified, and the third day rise again.” (Luk 24:6-7) | He was raised from the dead. Some people were raised from the dead with Him and appeared to many. | Mary Magdalene could not touch Him, (Joh 20:17) because He was not yet ascended to heaven to sprinkle his shed blood on the heavenly mercy seat. (Heb 8:1-2) |
| “…when he ascended up on High, he led captivity captive…” (Eph 4:8) | Jesus moved the souls of the Old Testament saints as well as Abraham’s Bosom up to heaven and gave it the new name of Paradise. (Luk 23:43) | Now in the New Testament age we live in today dead believers go to Paradise in heaven to await the resurrection of their bodies. |
| “for Christ is not entred into the Holy places made with hands…but into heaven itself, now to appear in the Presence of God for us.” (Heb 9:24) | Jesus as our high priest offered His blood to God, the Father and is now seated at God’s right hand. (Heb 1:3) | With the vail in the Holy of Holies torn by God, man now has access to God’s heavenly throne room by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. ` |
| Ascension into Heaven (Act 1) | Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God to serve as our High Priest during this Age of Grace. |
Homework
Matthew 28:1-15
- Application of Mat 27:57-66
- Write a paragraph on how the crucifixion of Jesus Christ changes your life.
- Write a paragraph on how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes your life.
- Preparation for Mat 28:1-15
- Read the following scriptures and write down any details you never noticed before.
- Mat 28:1-15
- Mar 16:1-14
- Luk 24:1-49
- Joh 20:1-23
- Read the following scriptures and write down any details you never noticed before.
- Memory verse: Rom 8:11
