Burial

Who took the body of Jesus Christ down from the cross?

Monday, October 10, 2011: Luke 23:50 – 53 (NKJV)

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.

Comments: If Roman soldiers had taken the body down, bones could have broken. Joseph of Arimathea might have reverently extracted the spikes against rocks, without harming any bone.

Who buried the body of Jesus Christ?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011: John 19:38 – 40 (NKJV)

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Comments: Joseph brought linen strips; Nicodemus brought spices. They might have washed the body, covered it with spices and wrapped it tightly, lamenting all the time.

Were the spectators at the burial of Jesus Christ? Were they mere spectators?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011: Mark 15:47 (NKJV)

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Luke 23:54 – 56 (NKJV)

That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Comments: It was not yet sunset, the beginning of (High) Sabbath. The women returned, prepared spices and oils and ran out of time. They rested, in accordance with Sabbath law.

Who broke the Sabbath?

Thursday, October 13, 2011: Matthew 27:62 – 66 (NKJV)

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Comments: The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate instead of resting. In addition, they sealed the stone and set the guard, breaking Sabbath law.

Who shook with fear?

Friday, October 14, 2011: Matthew 28:2 – 4 (NKJV)

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Comments: The Roman Guard shook with fear and became like the dead when they saw the face of the Angel of the Lord, who shone like lightning.