Matthew 27:62

§ 143. TRANSACTIONS THE DAY AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION, Matthew 27:62-66 .

62. The next day This began the moment the sun disappeared; it being the eve introducing the Saturday-Sabbath. The day of the preparation As Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, so Friday, the day of the crucifixion, was the day of preparation, that is, for the Sabbath. The preparation of the Jews began strictly at three o’clock in the afternoon; but the name preparation was popularly applied to the whole day. It is a palpable mistake that some commentators have made, that the watch was not set until the next morning, or after. This would have allowed full time for the commission of the theft of the body. The next day came on at sunset; and the watch of the two Marys had not long ceased when that of the soldiers commenced. Chief priests and Pharisees A part probably of the Sanhedrim.