38 And after this Joseph of Ari- mathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, be- sought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus : and Pilate gave Mm leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
39 And there came also Nicode- mus, Avhichatthe lirst came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound woight.
40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it iu linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden : and in the garden a new sepulchre, where- in was never man yet laid.
42 Tliere laid they Jesus there- fore because of the iTews' prepara- tion day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
There is a peculiar interest attached to these five verses of Scripture. They introduce us to a stranger,