Asphalizo denotes making a prison confinement or a tomb secure against escape, entry, or removal.

The attested use concerns taking measures to make something secure: a jailer confines prisoners and fastens their feet in Acts 16:24, while the tomb is to be secured and is secured with a seal and guard in Matthew 27:64, Matthew 27:65, and Matthew 27:66.

1. Making confinement or a tomb secure · dominant

   In Acts 16:24, the aorist middle form ἠσφαλίσατο occurs in the jailer's confinement of prisoners in the inner prison, where the APB renders that he fastened their feet in stocks. In Matthew 27:64, the aorist passive infinitive ἀσφαλισθῆναι concerns the tomb before possible removal of the body; Matthew 27:65 and Matthew 27:66 continue the action with an instruction to make it secure and its securing by sealing the stone with the guard.

   Acts 16:24Matthew 27:64Matthew 27:65Matthew 27:66

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB explicitly uses “made secure” or “make it secure” for the tomb context in Matthew 27:64, Matthew 27:65, and Matthew 27:66. In Acts 16:24, it presents the securing action through the jailer's confinement and fastening of the prisoners' feet.