Matthew 27:59

“And when Joseph had taken the body, etc.] Down from the cross, with the assistance of others, or from the hands of those who had orders to deliver it to him: he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth: that is, he wound up the body in it round and round, as was the custom of the Jews; (see <440506>Acts 5:6) (<431144>John 11:44). Nor was it usual to bury in any thing but linen: so it is said f1724, “let the wrappings, or grave clothes, be µynbl ˆtçp lç, “of white linen”; and let not the price of them be dear, for it is forbidden to bury in wrappings of silk, or broidered garments, even to a prince of Israel: for this is pride and destruction, and the work of the Gentiles.” This clean linen cloth,…”

““He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.” John adds that this was done “with spices” John 19:40. The Jews were accustomed to use myrrh, aloes, and other aromatics in large quantities when they buried their dead. When they were not regularly embalmed, which was a long and tedious process, they enclosed the spices in the folds of the linen, or wrapped the body in it. Spices were sometimes used in such quantities as to form a “heap or bed,” on which the dead body was laid. Thus it is said of Asa 2 Chronicles 16:14, “they laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and spices,” etc. There not being time properly to embalm the body of Jesus, he was buried in this manner. The women who…”

“27:59-60 Burial customs were important in Judaism, especially in contrast to the Greeks and Romans, who cremated their dead. Leaving a corpse unburied was the severest form of judgment (Deut 21:22-23; 2 Kgs 9:37; Ps 79:3; Jer 16:4, 6; Ezek 29:5; Rev 11:9). Death was lamented and mourned (Mark 5:38-39); the body was washed (Acts 9:37), anointed (Matt 26:6-13; John 12:3, 7; 19:39), and wrapped in burial cloths (Matt 27:59; see Gen 50:2-3). The body was placed in a tomb (see Matt 23:27) that had been tunneled into a rock or carved into the side of a cave wall. The entrance to a tomb was often closed with a huge stone and sealed to prevent ceremonial uncleanness or robbery. • clean linen . . .…”