Kevin Siddle
After Jesus died on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea had very little time and rushed to request permission for Jesus’ body. At sundown of Friday the Sabbath began, and that meant any necessary preparations had to be completed before then. Had they not been able to get permission, or had sunset come, Roman soldiers would have taken Jesus’ body and put it into a common grave. Therefore, during the Sabbath day, we see little activity. The disciples are in hiding and the religious leaders are worried. Matthew 27:62-66 The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 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.’ 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.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. Soon, there would be no need for guards.
*Adapted from the Life Application Bible Commentary of Luke