Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - John 19:38-42

We have here an account of the burial of the blessed body of our Lord Jesus. The solemn funerals of great men are usually looked at with curiosity; the mournful funerals of dear friends are attended with concern. Come and see an extraordinary funeral; never was the like! Come and see a burial that conquered the grave, and buried it, a burial that beautified the grave and softened it for all believers. Let us turn aside now, and see this great sight. Here is, I. The body begged, John 19:38.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - John 19:38-42

19:38-42 After that, Joseph from Arimathaea, who because of fear of the Jews was a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate to be allowed to take away Jesus' body, and Pilate gave him permission to do so. So he came and took his body away. Nicodemus, who first came to Jesus by night, came too, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds in weight. So they took Jesus' body and they wrapped it in linen clothes with spices, as it is the Jewish custom to lay a body in the tomb.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - John 19:42

There laid they Jesus therefore ,.... Because it was a new sepulchre, and no man had been ever laid there before; and some other reasons are added: because of the Jews' preparation day ; either for the Chagigah, or the sabbath, which was just at hand; the Persic version reads, "the night of the sabbath": for this reason, they could not dig a grave purposely for him; for it was forbidden on feast days; and therefore they put him into a tomb ready made: the canon runs F9 Misn. Moed... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - John 19:42

Because of the Jews' preparation - From this it may be conjectured that they had designed to have put him in a more magnificent tomb; or, that they intended to make one expressly for himself after the passover: or, that they had designed to have put him somewhere else, but could not do it for want of time; and that they put him here because the tomb was nigh. It appears plainly, from embalming, etc., that none of these persons had any hope of the resurrection of Christ. They considered him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:38-42

(7) The burial—the two friends, Joseph and Nicodemus . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:38-42

The burial of Jesus. It was an honorable interment. I. THE DEVOTED MINISTRY OF FRIENDS . "After this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave." 1. The character and position of Joseph. 2. His application to Pilate . (a) The disciples, who were openly identified with him in life forsake him in his last extremity, and have no share in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:38-42

The last stage of the Savior's humiliation. John, who presents to us the most sublime views of the Divine nature and glory of the Christ, does not shrink from relating in this passage to how deep humiliation that Christ condescended. I. THE HISTORICAL PURPOSE FULFILLED BY CHRIST 'S BURIAL . It is observable that all four evangelists record, and with many details, the interment of the Son of man. This is accounted for, not so much by any intrinsic importance belonging to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:38-42

Secret discipleship. Notice— I. THAT JESUS IN EVERY AGE HAS SOME SECRET DISCIPLES . There are two mentioned here—Joseph and Nicodemus. Why were they secret? 1. Because of the danger with which they were surrounded . "For fear of the Jews." What were the influences which excited their fear? 2. Their natural timidity of disposition . We may well assume that the natural disposition of Joseph and Nicodemus was modest, thoughtful, cautious, timid, and retiring;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 19:42

There, therefore, by reason of the preparation of the Jews, for the sepulcher was nigh at hand, they laid Jesus . John assigns the rapidity with which the process could be completed as a reason for entombment in this particular garden sepulcher, and the ground of the urgency was the "preparation" solemnities. Once more the critics divide into two groups as to the significance of this reference to the date of the Lord's death. It is obvious that both the synoptists and John imply that it was... read more

Group of Brands