Matthew 27:65
New International Version
“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

New Living Translation
Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”

English Standard Version
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Berean Standard Bible
“You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

Berean Literal Bible
Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go make it as secure as you know how."

King James Bible
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

New King James Version
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.”

New American Standard Bible
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”

NASB 1995
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”

NASB 1977
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.”

Amplified Bible
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard [of soldiers]; go [with them], make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Take guards,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.”

American Standard Version
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

Contemporary English Version
Pilate said to them, "All right, take some of your soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you know how."

English Revised Version
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Pilate told them, "You have the soldiers you want for guard duty. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how."

Good News Translation
"Take a guard," Pilate told them; "go and make the tomb as secure as you can."

International Standard Version
Pilate told them, "You have a military guard. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how."

Majority Standard Bible
“You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

NET Bible
Pilate said to them, "Take a guard of soldiers. Go and make it as secure as you can."

New Heart English Bible
Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can."

Webster's Bible Translation
Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch: go, make it as secure as ye can.

Weymouth New Testament
"You can have a guard," said Pilate: "go and make all safe, as best you can."

World English Bible
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Pilate said to them, “You have a guard, go away, make [it] secure—as you have known”;

Berean Literal Bible
Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go make it as secure as you know how."

Young's Literal Translation
And Pilate said to them, 'Ye have a watch, go away, make secure -- as ye have known;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch: retire, render secure as ye know.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Pilate said to them: “You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know how.”

New American Bible
Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go secure it as best you can.”

New Revised Standard Version
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pilate said to them, You have guards; go and take precautions as best you know.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pilate said to them, “You have guards, go guard it just as you know how.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Pilate said to them: You have a guard; go, make it as safe as you know how.

Godbey New Testament
Pilate said to them, You have a watch: go, make it safe as you know.

Haweis New Testament
Then said Pilate unto them, Ye have a guard, go and make it as secure as ye think fit.

Mace New Testament
to whom Pilate replied, you have a guard, go then, and make it as secure as you can.

Weymouth New Testament
"You can have a guard," said Pilate: "go and make all safe, as best you can."

Worrell New Testament
And Pilate said to them, "Ye have a guard; go your way, secure it, as ye know how."

Worsley New Testament
But Pilate said to them, Ye have a guard of your own, go and make it as secure as ye will.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Guards at the Tomb
64So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.” 65“You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.…

Cross References
John 19:22
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Mark 15:44-45
Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so. / When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Luke 23:52-54
He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. / Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. / It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

Acts 4:27-28
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

John 19:38-42
Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body. / Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. / So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. ...

Matthew 28:11-15
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. / And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money / and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ ...

Acts 3:13-15
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. / You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. / You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.

John 18:31
“You take Him and judge Him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “We are not permitted to execute anyone,” the Jews replied.

Acts 13:27-29
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. / And though they found no ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. / When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

Luke 24:20
Our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and they crucified Him.

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Psalm 2:1-2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

Daniel 6:17
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.

Psalm 22:16-18
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Isaiah 53:3-5
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.


Treasury of Scripture

Pilate said to them, You have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as you can.

make.

Matthew 28:11-15
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done…

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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Matthew 27
1. Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate.
3. Judas hangs himself.
19. Pilate, admonished of his wife,
20. and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas.
27. Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns;
33. crucified;
39. reviled;
50. dies, and is buried;
62. his tomb is sealed and watched.














You have a guard
This phrase is spoken by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, in response to the Jewish leaders' request to secure Jesus' tomb. The word "guard" in Greek is "κουστωδία" (koustodia), which refers to a group of Roman soldiers assigned to a specific duty. Historically, Roman guards were known for their discipline and effectiveness, making them a formidable force. This highlights the seriousness with which the Jewish leaders approached the situation, fearing the disciples might steal Jesus' body and claim resurrection. Theologically, this sets the stage for the miraculous nature of the resurrection, as even a Roman guard could not prevent God's plan.

Pilate said
Pilate, as the Roman authority, plays a crucial role in the Passion narrative. His involvement underscores the political tension of the time, as he navigates between maintaining Roman order and appeasing the Jewish leaders. Pilate's decision to grant a guard reflects his pragmatic approach to governance, aiming to prevent any potential unrest. This moment also illustrates the fulfillment of divine prophecy, as Pilate unwittingly becomes an instrument in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Go
The command "Go" is an imperative, indicating Pilate's authorization and urgency in addressing the Jewish leaders' concerns. This directive reflects the Roman practice of delegating tasks to ensure efficiency and control. In a broader spiritual sense, this command can be seen as a catalyst for the events that follow, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of God's will. Despite human efforts to contain or control the situation, God's purposes prevail.

make the tomb as secure as you know how
This phrase reveals the Jewish leaders' determination to prevent any tampering with Jesus' body. The Greek word for "secure" is "ἀσφαλίζω" (asphalizo), meaning to make safe or fasten firmly. This reflects their fear of Jesus' prophecy about His resurrection and their desire to maintain religious authority. Historically, securing a tomb involved sealing it with a large stone and possibly using ropes or wax seals. Spiritually, this highlights the futility of human efforts to thwart divine intervention. Despite their precautions, the resurrection occurs, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the truth of Jesus' victory over death.

(65) Ye have a watch.--Better, Take ye a guard. The Greek verb may be either imperative or indicative. The former gives the better meaning. The "watch," or "guard," was a body of Roman soldiers (St. Matthew uses the Latin term custodia), who could not be set to such a task without Pilate's permission. If the priests had had such a "guard" at their disposal before, there would have been no need for them to apply to Pilate.

Verse 65. - Ye have a watch (ἔχετε κουστωδίαν, take a guard). Pilate answers briefly and haughtily, "Well, I give permission; do as you like; take a body of soldiers as a guard, and go your way." This last verb is imperative, so the former is most probably imperative also. If taken as indicative, the question arises - What guard had they? This is difficult to answer, unless, as Alford supposes, it may refer to some detachment placed at their disposal during the feast. But of this we know nothing historically. Make it as sure (ἀσφαλίσασθε, secure it for yourselves) as ye can; literally, as ye know how. Take any precaution you think fit to employ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“You have
Ἔχετε (Echete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a guard,”
κουστωδίαν (koustōdian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2892: A guard, watch. Of Latin origin; 'custody', i.e. A Roman sentry.

Pilate
Πιλᾶτος (Pilatos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4091: Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.

said.
Ἔφη (Ephē)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.

“Go,
ὑπάγετε (hypagete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5217: To go away, depart, begone, die. From hupo and ago; to lead under, i.e. Withdraw or retire, literally or figuratively.

make [the tomb as] secure
ἀσφαλίσασθε (asphalisasthe)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 805: To make safe (secure, fast). From asphales; to render secure.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

you know [how].”
οἴδατε (oidate)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them You have (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 27:64
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