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| 1 Morning and having come, a council held all the high-priests and the elders of the people against the Jesus, so us to deliver to death him. |
Morning was come – As early in the morning as possible, before the people would be generally astir. R5570:2, 4712:3
The Sanhedrin having been called together so as to legally confirm the illegal trial of the night previous. R3368:1, 4712:3, 2781:5, 1809:3
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| 2 And binding him, they led, and delivered up him to Pontius Pilate the governor. |
To Pontius Pilate – Tradition has it that Pilate had heard previously of Jesus, and even met him by appointment privately, making inquiry respecting his teachings. R5570:2
The governor – The Roman Governor of Judea, the representative of Caesar's government. R5570:2
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| 3 Then seeing Judas, that betraying him, that he was condemned, repenting he returned the thirty pieces of silver to the high-priests and the elders, |
When he saw – Implying that he was surprised when Jesus was condemned. Apparently he surmised that Jesus, brought to the crucial test, would assert himself as the Master and triumph over his enemies. R5552:4
Repented himself – Judas was not without conscience, but lacked the genuine loyalty of heart which, in the Lord's sight, is indispensable; the absence of which, in Judas' case, was inexcusable. R3760:2
Were Judas' tears better than those of Esau (Heb. 12:17)? Did his repentance lead to a renewed and reformed life, or to self-destruction (Heb. 6:6)? R2283:6
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| 4 saying: I sinned, having delivered up blood innocent. They but said: What to us? Thou wilt see. |
See thou to that – Greek, optomai, attend thou to that. R140:3
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| 5 And hurling the pieces of silver in the temple, he withdrew; and having gone forth strangled himself. |
And hanged himself – Acts 1:8 says that, falling headlong, he burst asunder. Both are true. If he chose the branch of a tree overhanging a precipice to hang himself, the rope might readily break under the strain and the fall take place. R5552:6
The rewards of unrighteousness never yield the honors and blessings coveted. R2469:4
"Woe to that man by whom the offence cometh." (Matt. 18:7) R3760:3
Every suicide, by his act, confesses his wish that he had never been born. R3364:3, 5552:5, 4907:3
There may be hope for other suicides because of the ignorance and because Christ died for all. R5552:5
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| 6 The and high-priests, taking the pieces of silver, said: Not it is lawful to put them into the treasury, since price of blood it is. |
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| 7 Counsel and taking, they bought with them the field of the potter, to bury the strangers. |
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| 8 Therefore is called the field that, a field of blood, to the day. |
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| 9 Then was fulfilled the word spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying: And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the having been valued, whom they valued from sons of Israel, |
Thirty pieces of silver – The price of a slave. R2745:1
Equivalent to about twenty dollars of our money. R2468:2
Children of Israel – The whole twelve tribes. C293
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| 10 and gave them for the field of the potter; even as directed me a Lord. |
Potter's field – Burial place for strangers. R5552:3
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| 11 The and Jesus stood in presence of the governor; and asked him the governor, saying: Thou art the king of the Jews? The and Jesus said to him: Thou sayest.
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Art thou the King – Realizing that Pilate would not recognize blasphemy as a cause for death, the charge against Jesus before Pilate was a totally different one, namely, that Jesus was a seditionist and raiser of disturbance. R4712:3, 5570:3, 2312:6, 1809:6
Thou sayest – He makes no response to the various charges and calumnies which the Jewish elders and priests heaped upon him. R2313:1
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| 12 And in the to be accused him by the high-priests and the elders, nothing he answered. |
Priests and elders – Having been rejected by them as the king. B251
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| 13 Then says to him the Pilate: Not thou hearest, how many things of thee they bear witness against? |
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| 14 And not he answered him to not even one word; so as to astonish the governor greatly. |
Never a word – Jesus made no defense. He knew that the time had come for him to die. He would not attempt to turn aside that which he knew to be a part of the divine program for him. R5570:3, 2313:1, 575:4
The governor marvelled – Amazed that anyone should be so indifferent to the preservation of his own life. R2313:1, 1810:1
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| 15 At and a feast was accustomed the governor to release one to the crowd prisoner, whom they wished. |
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| 16 They had and then a prisoner noted, being called Barabbas. |
Barabbas – A highway robber. R5571:2
He evidently thought that, because Barabbas was so undesirable a person to have at liberty, the Jews would finally conclude that of the two they would prefer to have Jesus at liberty rather than Barabbas. R2313:2
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| 17 Having being assembled then of them, said to them the Pilate: Which wish you I release to you? Barabbas or Jesus, the being called Anointed? |
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| 18 He knew for, that through envy they had delivered up him. |
For envy – Typified by the envy of Joseph's brethren. R3971:4
Because he and his teachings were having more influence with the common people than could be exercised by the chief priests and scribes. R4712:6, 2316:2
Realizing their own inferiority and unfitness to be the leaders, they could not brook the appearance of a rival of superior talents and ability. R1964:1
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| 19 Being seated and of him upon the tribunal, sent to him the wife of him, saying: Nothing to thee and to the just one that; many things for I suffered this day in a dream because of him. |
His wife – Possibly one of the Lord's followers. R3896:4*
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| 20 The but high-priests and the elders persuaded the crowds, that they should ask the Barabbas, the and Jesus they might destroy. |
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| 21 Answering and the governor said to them: Which wish you of the two I shall release to you? They and said: Barabbas. |
They said, Barabbas – The world's natural choice is for one of murderous spirit rather than a saint. R3896:2
Religious fanaticism is the deepest, wickedest and most conscienceless of hatreds. R2313:2
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| 22 He says to them the Pilate: What then shall I do Jesus, the being called Anointed? They say to him all: Let him be crucified. |
They all say – At the close of Jesus' ministry only about 500 worthy ones had been found. Most Israelites were not ready to be used of God in the blessing of the other nations. R4593:5
Three classes of criminals come to view: the Pharisaical class, who for envy delivered him up; the Judas class, hirelings, ready to sell their services for bribes; and the cold-blooded menials, who watch on with complacency and indifference. R1964:1-4
Let him be crucified – The most ignominious and cruel method of death, so that his memory should be ever covered with infamy. R1810:4
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| 23 The and governor said: What for evil has he done? They but vehemently cried, saying: Let him be crucified. |
What evil – Answering "No" to their cry. R2313:2
But they cried – Judas loved money, and these loved the approval of the priests and rulers and wanted to be on the popular side. R1964:2
Let him be crucified – The Jewish aristocracy and democracy united in demonstration of untruth that "The voice of the people is the voice of God." R3369:5
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| 24 Seeing and the Pilate that nothing profits, but rather a tumult is made, taking water, he washed the hands before the crowd, saying: Innocent I am from the blood of the just of this; you shall see. |
A tumult was made – As a representative and mouthpiece for the Roman empire, Pilate was required to preserve peace at any cost. R2313:2
And washed his hands – As a symbol of his own disagreement with the death-decree which they were compelling him to render. R2786:3
To indicate his dissent and clearing himself from responsibility. R3896:5
I am innocent – Manifesting far greater concern than the Papacy would have done under similar circumstances. B330, B331
Remembering that Pilate was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a heathen man, we cannot condemn him as others have done, but commend him as a man who loved justice. R2786:4
This just person – While the world blamed Jesus, yet in the private counsels they recognized the fact that he was harmless. R4797:1
See ye to it – Greek, optomai, attend ye to it. R140:6
It was policy that he rule justly, but justice was to be sacrificed at any time in the interests of the Roman Empire. R5570:2
Look to yourselves, that you are likewise free from blood-guiltiness. R2313:4
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| 25 And answering all the people said: The blood of him upon us, and upon the children of us. |
His blood be on us – The full responsibility of what followed was left with the Jews. R3896:6, 5721:1; Q356:1
The curse of blindness came as requested. D571
The Lord took them at their word. OV77:T
Alas! poor Jews! With what judgment you judge, you have been judged. R2313:4
The curse which they brought upon their own heads remains with them. They can only escape the curse of the Law and this additional curse by having the merit of Christ's blood implied to them. R3062:3
There is no way to escape from your self- pronounced curse of his blood, except by accepting his blood. R2313:4
The better educated Pharisees and Priests who incited the multitude had more responsibility, and Judas was the real crucifier because of his knowledge and willfulness. R4909:2
And on our children – And they also expressed the desire that their posterity should bear it. Q356:1; R5721:1
It has been so! They have since suffered as aliens from God, without prophet, priest, sin- offerings or Atonement Days. R5571:4
The turning point of Israel's history. OV77:T
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| 26 Then he released to them the Barabbas, the and Jesus having scourged he delivered up, that he might be crucified. |
Scourged Jesus – Possibly hoping that the scourging would satisfy his adversaries' thirst for blood. R3369:1
He delivered him – Influenced more by considerations of policy than of principle, and willing to satisfy the people. R1810:4
The Roman government expected their governors to be absolutely just in respect to Roman citizens; dealings with others were to be conciliatory. PD69/83
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| 27 Then the soldiers of the governor taking the Jesus into the judgment hall, they gathered together to him whole the company. |
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| 28 And having stripped him, they put on to him a soldier�s cloak scarlet. |
They stripped him – "He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied." (Isa. 53:11) E52
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| 29 And braiding a crown of thorns, placed upon the head of him, and a reed of the right of him; and bending the knee in presence of him, mocked him, saying: Hail, the king of the Jews. |
Mocked him – The trials, sufferings and contradictions which our Lord endured, while no part of our ransom-price, were expedient in the Father's judgment as being a part of his testing. R2316:3
Crown of thorns – They jeered him upon his claim to kingship. R2786:5
Reed in his right hand – Without a surmise that he really was the one to whose scepter every knee shall bow. (Phil. 2:10) R2786:5
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| 30 And spitting on him, they took the reed, and struck on the head of him. |
They spit upon him – "I hid not my face from shame and spitting." (Isa. 50:6) E52
And smote him – "I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair." (Isa. 50:6) E52
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| 31 And when they had mocked him, they took off him the soldier�s cloak, and put on him the garments of him; and led away him into the to be crucified. |
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| 32 Going out and, they met a man a Cyrenian, by name Simon; him they compelled, that he might carry the cross of him. |
A man of Cyrene – Where now were Peter, James and John! R3369:6
To bear his cross – The portion of it which dragged. R3369:6
Because, according to tradition, our Lord had been compelled to carry the cross and fainted under it. E123
The opportunity to bear the cross for the members of the Lord's body is still with us. R2787:1, 3370:1
The Lord will send the aid necessary, even though, as in this case, it be impressed. R3370:1
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| 33 And coming into a place being called Golgotha, which is being called of a skull a place, |
Golgotha – In Latin, Calvary. R3900:6, 3370:2
Place of a skull – Here, in the perpendicular face of a limestone knoll, is the most remarkable likeness to a skull. R3900:6, 3370:2, 1394:6
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| 34 they gave to him to drink vinegar with gall having been mixed; and having tasted, not he would drink. |
Mingled with gall – To deaden the pain. R3370:2, 3901:1
Not as an injury, but as a kindness. It is supposed that the mixture would assuage thirst to some degree. R3562:6
Tasted thereof – As a token of his appreciation for the kindness expressed by it. R3370:2, 3901:1
He would not drink – Preferring to experience the full measure of the pain and suffering which the Father's wisdom and love and justice had prepared for him. R3370:2, 3901:1, 2473:3
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| 35 Crucifying and him, they divided the garments of him, casting a lot. |
Parted his garments – The clothing in which Jesus appeared after his resurrection was as specially created for the occasion as was the body in which he appeared. B128
The usual dress of a Jew consisted of five parts: the head dress, the shoes, the outer garment or toga, the girdle (one part for each of the soldiers) and the tunic. R3562:4
Some in Christendom are willing to divide among themselves day by day the blessings and advantages which have come through his death, but without appreciation or gratitude. R3562:4
Upon my vesture – His seamless robe, beautifully representing his own personal perfection; probably a gift from one of the noble women mentioned as being among his friends. R2316:1
Cast lots – For the "chilton," the tunic or coat; a kind of shirt fitting somewhat loosely and reaching from the neck to the ankles. R3562:4
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| 36 And being seated they watched him there. |
And sitting down – Presuming to have no responsibility in the matter, caring nothing for the honor of justice or the vindication of right. R1964:2
They watched him there – Depravity of fallen human nature was strikingly illustrated in those who witnessed the Lord's many wonderful works, and then his unresisting sacrifice for our sins--they were cold, without appreciation. R2315:6
Resembling, to a considerable degree, the whole of Christendom who have heard of Jesus and are still totally unmoved, unconcerned, without thankfulness or appreciation. R3562:4, 2316:2
There are still the cruel cold-blooded menials who, with complacency and indifference, and yet with curiosity, sit down and watch the sufferings of the body, and wonder what will happen next. R1964:6
God of Heaven! forbid that I should gaze with pitiless eye on a suffering child of thine. R5837:6*
Instead of falling at his feet and exclaiming, "My Lord and my Redeemer." Many in our day similarly view the Lord's sufferings with calm indifference. R2316:1
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| 37 And they placed above the head of him the accusation of him having been written: This is Jesus the king of the Jews. |
Set up over his head – The crime of each culprit was, by law, inscribed over his head. R4713:5
His accusation written – In three languages--Hebrew, Greek and Latin. R3562:2
KING OF THE JEWS – Little did Pilate think that this was the true title of the wonderful man Christ Jesus whom they caused to be put to death. R2316:2
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| 38 Then were crucified with him two robbers; one by right, and one by left. |
Two thieves – Crucified as an evildoer. R2316:2
From the standpoint of the priests and Pharisees, the Lord's crucifixion with the two thieves was specially desirable; it would help to keep the people from thinking of him as a martyr. R3561:6
Every noble or pure man or woman, prizing purity in his own heart, would find it specially detestable to be so misunderstood as to be numbered with transgressors. R3561:5
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| 39 Those and passing along reviled him, shaking the heads of them, |
They that passed by – Some of them had probably seen his "many wonderful works"; yet when they saw the tide turn against him, they seem to have been easily swayed. R2316:3
Reviled him – "As he was so are are we in this world." (1 John 4:17) R2316:5
Wagging their heads – "We did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isa. 53:4) R2316:5
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| 40 and saying: He overthrowing the temple, and in three days building, save thyself; if a son thou art of the God, come down from the cross. |
The temple – The true Church. T70
In three days – The fifth, sixth and seventh thousand-year days. R3375:2
Come down – Weakened by his sufferings, tortured by his merciless enemies, hanging helpless between heaven and earth, Satan challenged him to demonstrate his deity by descend- ing from the cross. R5848:2*
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| 41 Likewise and also the high-priests, mocking with the scribes and elders, said: |
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| 42 Others he saved, himself not is able to save; if a king of Israel he is, let him come down now from the cross, and we will give credit to him. |
He cannot save – He could have saved himself. (Matt. 26:53) R5195:4
How little they knew that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer these things to enter into his glory. R2316:4
If Jesus had saved himself, he could not have been the Savior of the world. R5578:1
King of Israel – Synonymous with the term "King of the Jews" (verse 37). R2085:1
The whole twelve tribes of Israel. C293
Come down – We are so glad he did not come down and leave us in our sins. R3370:6
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| 43 He trusted in the God; let him rescue now him, if he wishes him; he said for: That of God I am a son. |
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| 44 That through it also the robbers, those being crucified with him, reproached him. |
The thieves also – The only little word of sympathy, however, that he received on this occasion, so far as the record goes, came later from one of these thieves. R2316:6
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| 45 From now sixth hour darkness was on all the land, till hour ninth. |
From the sixth hour – Nine o'clock in the morning, the hour of the morning daily sacrifice. R2316:6
There was darkness – It was fitting that nature should veil her glories before such a scene. There was darkness, not dense darkness, but, simply, darkness. R2316:6
It must have been supernaturally dark for, as it was the full moon, a solar eclipse could have lasted but a few minutes at the most. R2316:6, 1816:4
Picturing the temporary triumph of the power of darkness over him who was the light of the world. R3902:6
Typifying the alienation from God which came upon the Jewish people as a result of crucifying the Lord. R1816:4
Unto the ninth hour – Three o'clock in the afternoon, the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, the time when Christ died. R2316:6
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| 46 About and the ninth hour cried out the Jesus with a voice great, saying: Eli, Eli; lama sabachthani?
that is: O God of me, O God of me; why me hast thou forsaken? |
My God, my God – Jesus did not claim to be the Father, but the Son of God. R5578:5
The wail of a breaking heart. R84:2*
It is claimed that he died of a literally broken heart, evidenced by the fact that both blood and water proceeded from the spear-wound inflicted shortly after his death. R2316:6; E123
Why – What have I done that I should be denied fellowship with thee? R4683:5
Hast thou forsaken me – An actual withdrawal of the Father's favor and communion, a necessary part of the Lord's suffering as a sin-bearer. The penalty of Adam's transgression was not only death, but additionally separation or alienation from God. R2317:1
He had borne the contradiction of sinners, Peter's denial, and the fact that all his disciples fled; but the Father's spirit of fellowship withdrawn was more than he could bear. R2316:6
He bore the sinner's penalty in all particulars. CR392:5; E128
It was necessary that the Father should hide himself from him as though he had been the sinner. R4713:5, 5578:5, 4683:5, 3903:1
That was the most terrible moment of all his experiences. CR392:5; R4713:5
Such a dark moment might be permitted to even the most worthy follower of the Lamb. F143
The language of real, not pro forma, agony. E94
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| 47 Some and of those there standing, having heard, said: For Elias he cries this. |
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| 48 And immediately running one of them, and taking a sponge, filling and of vinegar, and attaching to a reed, gave to drink him. |
Gave him to drink – Doubtless with a fever raging, such as would be induced by the crucifixion, he had been thirsting for quite a while. R3562:6
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| 49 The but others said: Leave alone; we may see, if comes Elias, will be saving him. |
Let be – It is evident, from these words, that Christ's last prayer was heard even by his enemies. R2252:1
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| 50 The then Jesus, again crying with a voice great, resigned the breath. |
When he had cried – Matthew does not record the words, but we have them from Luke and John, "It is finished! Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." R2317:2
Yielded up the ghost – Literally, dismissed his spirit; that is, drew his last breath, or ceased to live; expired. R700:4, 3903:4
That is, the spirit. Not his spirit body, for at this time he had no spirit body. R2317:4
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| 51 And lo, the curtain of the temple was rent into two, from above to below; and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were rent, |
Veil of the temple – 60 feet long, 30 feet wide and about four inches thick. R3371:2, 2788:4
Was rent in twain – Representing the opening of the way between the spirit-begotten condition and heaven itself. R3371:2
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Earth .. quake .. rocks rent – These are exactly the kinds of events we may expect when there is a major turning point in the plan of God. At the death of Jesus these were literal events. At the end of the Gospel age these are symbolic - but still real. |
| 52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the having been asleep holy ones were raised, |
And the graves – There are serious reasons for doubting the genuineness of this verse and the following; but a portion of it, at least, appears in the oldest Greek manuscripts yet discovered. R1509:3, 2811:6
Of the saints – Not the ancient worthies or the saints of the Gospel church. R2811:5, 833:2
Which slept arose – The very most that could have taken place at that time would have been that some might have been awakened in just the same sense that Lazarus was awakened. Q289:2; R2811:5, 1509:6, 833:2
The word "sleep" used instead of the word "death." R2197:6
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| 53 and coming forth from the tombs, after the resurrection of him went into the holy city, and appeared to many. |
Came out of the graves – The narrative does not call it a resurrection; it merely says that they came out of their graves, as Lazarus did. R833:2
His resurrection – The Greek word is not anastasis, but egersis, an unusual word for resurrection, signifying resurgence or re-animation. R1509:3; F703
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| 54 The and centurion and those with him watching the Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things being done, they were afraid much, saying: Truly of God a son was this. |
The centurion – All three centurions mentioned in the New Testament (Luke 7:2; Acts 10:1) were reverential. R3755:4
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The Centurian – Possibly Cornelius. |
| 55 Were and there women many from a distance beholding; who followed the Jesus from the Galilee, ministering to him; |
Ministering unto him – Providing for the physical wants of Jesus and the twelve. Christ never solicited alms. F286
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| 56 among whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the of the James and Joses mother, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. |
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| 57 Evening and being come, came a man rich from Arimathea, by name Joseph, who also himself was discipled to the Jesus. |
A rich man – "He made his grave with the wicked [the sinful human race] and with the rich [in the tomb of the rich man, Joseph of Arimathea] in his death." (Isa. 53:7,9) R1394:4, 1360:1
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| 58 He coming to the Pilate requested the body of the Jesus. Then the Pilate ordered to be given the body. |
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| 59 And taking the body the Joseph, wrapped it fine linen cloth clean; |
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| 60 and laid it in the new of himself tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and having rolled a stone great of the door of the tomb he went away. |
His own new tomb – Which contained no other corpses; hence, there could be no question respecting the body of Christ and its burial. R2476:2, 3903:3
A great stone – This was not a large boulder, but was shaped like a wheel, like a large grindstone rolling in a groove. R4713:6
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| 61 Was and there Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. |
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| 62 The now next day, which is after the preparation, were assembled the high-priests and the Pharisees to the Pilate, |
The next day – Saturday morning. R4212:5*
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| 63 saying: O sir, we remember, that that the deceiver said while living: After three days I will arise. |
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| 64 Do thou command therefore to be made fast the tomb till the third day lest coming the disciples of him, might steal him, and might say to the people: He has been raised from the dead; and will be the last fraud worse of the first. |
Be made sure – The evil suspicions of the religious leaders were overruled by the Lord for good, and became a testimony of the truth and an assistance to faith on the part of believers. R2318:1
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| 65 Said to them the Pilate: You have a guard; go you, make fast as you know. |
Ye have a watch – Giving the chief priests the privilege of hiring some of the soldiers as watchmen, much the same as anyone today can employ and pay a policeman for extra service as a watchman. R2476:3
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| 66 They and going made fast the tomb, having sealed the stone, with the guard. |
Sealing the stone – Rendering it secure against intrusion. E246
Setting a watch – Saturday night. R4212:5*
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