Pilate had previously given instructions for Jesus’ body to be given to Joseph for burial. Now the Jewish leaders request that he order the tomb to be made secure (so also New English Bible, New International Version). The meaning seems to be that a security guard was requested to be placed at the tomb: “to have the grave closely guarded” (Phillips), “for special security measures to be taken in regard to the tomb” (Barclay), and “to be carefully guarded” (Good News Translation).

Until the third day: elsewhere Matthew prefers “on the third day” (16.21; 17.23; 20.19). Barclay has “for the next three days.”

Lest means “so that not,” as in the clause “so that his disciples won’t go and steal him away” or “Then his disciples will not be able to go and steal him away.”

The text has go, but translators may have to say “go to the tomb.”

Steal him away is more often “steal him” or “steal his body.”

Some late Greek manuscripts add “during the night” after steal him away. But, as TC-GNT indicates, this phrase was obviously added later by a scribe on the basis of 28.13.

Has risen (see verse 63) is here followed by the qualifying phrase from the dead. The picture is that of another “world” or place where the departed dead are gathered.

The last fraud (see the discussion of “imposter” in verse 63) evidently refers to the belief in Jesus’ resurrection. The “first fraud” is then the Messianic claims which Jesus is accused of having made.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .