There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
There laid they Jesus therefore, because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. There was however one recommendation of it which probably would not strike them; but God had it in view. This was not its being "hewn out of a rock" (Mark 15:46), accessible only at the entrance, though this doubtless would impress even themselves with its security and suitableness; but its being "a new sepulchre" (John 19:41), "wherein never man before was laid" (Luke 23:53); and in Matthew 27:60 it is said that Joseph laid Him "in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock" - doubtless for his own use and without any other design in it-but the Lord needed it. Thus, as he rode into Jerusalem on an donkey "whereon never man before had sat," so now He shall lie in a tomb wherein never man before had lain, that from these specimens, it might be seen that in all things He was "SEPARATE FROM SINNERS."
For remarks on the Burial of Christ, in connection with His Death and Resurrection, see the notes at Matthew 27:51-56, Remarks 4-8 at the close of that section; and those at John 28:1-15 , at the close of that section.