lectionary.com

Holy Week · Year B

Holy Saturday

March 27, 2027

The Entombment of Christ, Titian
The Entombment of Christ, Titian, 1559Museo del Prado, Madrid
A late Titian, almost all of it painted in dark reds and browns, with the body carried in a sheet and Joseph of Arimathea's face turned entirely into shadow.He took the body and laid it in his own new tomb: the reading is the burial, which is the part the creed insists on.TitianThe dominant painter of sixteenth-century Venice (c. 1488-1576), who worked into his eighties and whose late manner, applied with fingers as much as brushes, startled even his admirers.Museo del Prado, MadridSpain's national collection, formed from what the Spanish crown had bought over three centuries, which is why its Titians and Rubenses are unmatched.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 27:57-66Mt 27:57-66 orJohn 19:38-42Jn 19:38-42
Epistle1 Pet. 4:1-81 Pt 4:1-8
Old TestamentJob 14:1-14Jb 14:1-14 orLam. 3:1-9, 19-24Lam 3:1-9, 19-24
PsalterPs. 31:1-4, 15-16Ps 31:1-4, 15-16

Overview & Insights

“Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb.” (Matthew 27:59-60)

The crucifixion narrative (27:27–50) brings together various christological threads of Matthew’s Gospel. The kingly (messianic) identity of Jesus is emphasized (27:29, 37, 40, 42, 43) and interpreted through the lens of Psalm 22 (27:31, 35, 39, 41, 46). The resulting portrait is a Messiah who willingly suffers for the sake of doing the will of God. Jesus’ death also proves to be of cosmic significance, bringing life to humanity (27:52). There is great irony in this passage. Although those who crucify and taunt Jesus assume that God will not rescue him (27:42–43, 49), and though that assumption seems to be confirmed by Jesus’ death (27:50), they are quite wrong. Not only will Jesus be vindicated in his resurrection (28:1–10), but also it is his death that will enact life and salvation for others (1:21; 20:28).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

Commentary

David Guzik Commentary on Matthew 27David Guzik Commentary on Mt 27 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical exposition covering Joseph of Arimathea's burial of Jesus and the sealing and guarding of the tomb.

Matthew 27:57 CommentariesMt 27:57 Commentaries BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries (Ellicott, Barnes, Pulpit) on the burial narrative gathered on one page.

Matthew 27 CommentaryMt 27 Commentary Precept Austin

Inductive verse-by-verse notes and cross-references drawing many conservative sources on the burial and the tomb guard.

Matthew 27:57 Greek InterlinearMt 27:57 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Word-by-word Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for close study of the burial verses.

Background & Word Study

Gospel of Matthew 14-28 OverviewGospel of Mt 14-28 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview tracing the second half of Matthew through crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Matthew 27Catena on Mt 27 Catena

A chain of patristic comments from the church fathers on the burial and sealing of the tomb.

Sermons & Reflections

A Sermon for Holy Saturday, Matthew 27:57-66A Sermon for Holy Saturday, Mt 27:57-66 Interrupting the Silence

Episcopal priest Michael Marsh preaches the silence and waiting of the sealed tomb on Holy Saturday.

The Last Week Journey with Jesus

Essay walking through the events of Holy Week, including the burial and the day Christ lay in the tomb.

Worship & Prayers

Common Worship: Holy Week and Easter Church of England

Anglican liturgies, collects, and prayers for Holy Week including provision for the Holy Saturday office.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

Curated artwork and hymn suggestions for the day's readings from the Art in the Christian Tradition collection.

Study Hub

Holy Saturday Textweek

Aggregated links to commentaries, sermons, artwork, and liturgy for Holy Saturday in one hub.

Questions preachers ask

How is Jesus buried?

Joseph of Arimathea lays Jesus in a new tomb and rolls a great stone across it; the women keep watch, and a guard is set, on the day of rest before the Resurrection.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.