The seal on the tomb
| Teachings |
The Seal on the Tomb
""Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard." Matthew 27v65-66.
From what we know of the method of `sealing` in the first century it would most likely have consisted of a length of cord across the stone covering the entrance to the tomb. This would have been secured on both sides with the `seal` of Pilate.
There is a similar instance of `sealing` in Daniel 6v17. In that case the King used a signet ring to produce a unique seal that could not be broken.
The seal would have prevented any movement of the stone. Anyone moving the stone would have immediately broken the seal and thereby incurred the full wrath of the Roman authorities. To break a seal set by Pilate was acting in direct contravention of Pilate's wishes. The seal carried the authority of the Roman empire.
If this seal were broken it carried a severe penalty. Josh McDowell writes, "The FBI or CIA of the Roman Empire were called into action to find the man or men responsible. When they were apprehended, it meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. Your guts ran into your throat. So people feared the breaking of the seal."
People feared breaking the seal seems like a bit of an understatement. Why would anyone risk such a horrific death without an overwhelming motive?