MPV Commentary

31-37. The Preparation - Sabbath Eve.

The bodies should not remain overnight against the Mosaic law (De 21:22, 23). On the sabbath day, which was also a high day, the first day of unleavened bread, they were particularly concerned lest the law be infringed. They asked Pilate to have their legs broken to hasten death, as was done in such cases with clubs.

33. When they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, there being elements of suffering in his case that might naturally hasten death, they did not break his legs. A fact of vast importance, showing the reality of his death was visible to those whose business it was to see to it.

34. One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, making a deep and wide wound (Joh 20:27, 29). Had life still remained, it would have fled now. Blood and water flowed out, which is consistent with the effect of long-continued and intense agony producing a secretion of lymph within the pericardium.

35. The soldier who saw this bore witness to its truth, and his testimony is reliable so that you might believe. This solemn way of referring to his own testimony has no reference to 1Jo 5:6 but rather calls attention to the fulfillment of Scripture in these particulars and the undeniable evidence he was furnishing of Christ's death.

36. The scripture was fulfilled: "A bone of him shall not be broken" (Ex 12:46; Nu 9:12). Although we see here the fulfillment of a typical ordinance, we also see a remarkable divine interposition to protect the sacred body of Christ from indignity after he had finished his work.

37. Another scripture says, "They shall look on him whom they pierced" (Zec 12:10), quoting directly from the Hebrew text. The choice of words is significant, as it corresponds exactly with the action of the Roman soldier.

38-40. Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and honorable member of the Sanhedrin who had not consented to the counsel and deed of the others, was Jesus' disciple but secretly for fear of the Jews. He went boldly to Pilate and asked permission to take down and inter the body. Pilate marveled that he was already dead and called the centurion to confirm this.

39. Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus by night, brought myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight, as an immense quantity betokening their love for him. They wrapped the body in linen clothes with spices, as was the manner of the Jews to bury.

40. The body was then taken and laid in a new sepulchre, which belonged to Joseph and was near at hand. This tomb was hewn out of a rock and accessible only at the entrance. It was also "a new sepulchre wherein never man before was laid" (Lu 23:53).

41, 42. In this place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden with a new sepulchre. They chose this tomb because it was so near and belonged to a friend of the Lord. There was one recommendation of it that probably would not strike them - its being "a new sepulchre wherein never man before was laid" (Lu 23:53).