02.15. The Burial of Jesus
LESSON XV.--The Burial of Jesus. HIS SIDE PIERCED.
What request did the Jews make of Pilate about the bodies of Jesus and the thieves, and why? John 19:31. Why break their legs? Ans.--So as to be sure that they would not recover.
Describe the breaking of their legs? John 19:32-34. Why did the soldier pierce his side, as he was already dead? Ans.--We can see no reason for the act. What does John say about the certainty of this statement? John 19:35. Why asseverate it so positively? Ans.--Because it is unusual for blood and water to flow from the heart of a dead man.
What Scripture was fulfilled by the omission to break his legs? John 19:36. Comp. Exodus 12:46. As this was written concerning the passover lamb, how was it fulfilled in Jesus? Ans.--That lamb was a type of Jesus, and the fact that no bone of it was broken was one of the points of analogy between it and Jesus.
What was fulfilled by piercing his side? Luke 19:37. Comp. Psalms 22:16-17.
JOSEPH’S REQUEST.
Repeat Luke’s description of Joseph. Luke 23:50-51. What is meant by counselor? Ans.--A member of the Jewish council or Sanhedrin. What is meant by saying he "waited for the kingdom of God?" Comp. John 19:38. What is said elsewhere of the class of men to which he belonged? John 12:42-43.
Repeat Mark’s account of Joseph’s request. Mark 15:43-45. Why does Mark say he went in "boldly?" Ans.--It was a bold act to step forward as a friend of Jesus when his enemies were triumphant and his former friends had nearly all deserted him. Though naturally a timid man, he had been aroused to boldness by the cruelty of the Jews toward Jesus. What would have been done with the body had he not called for it? Ans.--It would have been buried with those of the two thieves, in an ignominious manner. THE BURIAL.
After obtaining Pilate’s consent, what did Joseph do? Mark 15:46. Who assisted Joseph? John 19:39. What do you know of the previous history of Nicodemus? John 3:2; John 7:32; John 7:45-52. What kind of man was he? Did he show as much boldness on this occasion as Joseph did? What assistance did he render to Joseph? John 19:39-40.
What is said about the location of the sepulcher, and the use which had been made of it? John 19:41. What bearing had the proximity of the sepulcher on the burial? John 19:42. How did they close up the sepulchre? Mark 15:46. Why was this done? Ans.--Merely to protect the body against disturbance by beasts or birds. Most likely the stone was one which had been already fitted to the door of the sepulcher. Was the sepulcher dug down perpendicularly into the rock, or horizontally into the side of the cliff? Ans.--It was the latter, as appears from the stooping down in order to look into it. John 20:5-11. Who witnessed the burial? Matthew 27:61. What did they see, and what did they then do? Luke 23:55-56. Why prepare other spices besides those used by Nicodemus? Ans.--They wished to complete the process which Nicodemus had only begun. Why is it added that "they rested the Sabbath day?" Ans.--To show how faithful they were in observing the Sabbath; they would not violate it even to embalm the body of Jesus. THE SEPULCHER GUARDED.
State the request of the chief priests and Pharisees concerning a guard for the sepulcher. Matthew 27:62-64. If this was the "next day," how long was it after the burial of Jesus? Ans.--It was most likely between sunset and dark the same evening; for that, according to the Jews, would be the next day, and the priests would not allow a single night to pass without the guard.
If he was not to arise till "after three days," why wish a guard till only "the third day?" Ans.--The Jews used the expression "after three days" in a loose way as the equivalent of the expression "on the third day." This will be discussed more fully in a future lesson.
What was Pilate’s answer, and what did they do? Matthew 27:65-66. Why seal the stone? Ans. To prevent the soldiers from allowing the body to be taken away: for the stone could not be removed without breaking the seal.