is very particularly described : the different Evangelists being- consulted, we learn his name and place of abode : he was " Joseph of Arimathea," or Ramah, in the tribe of Ephraim, the birth-place and residence of Samuel. Next, we have his rank and condition : he was " a rich man, and an honourable counsellor," one of the Jewish Sanhedrim. Further, we are informed of his character and conduct : he was " a just and good man," who, when the Sanhedrim had condemned our Lord as guilty of death, " had not consented to the counsel and deed of them." Lastly, mention is made of his princi- ples and attainments : he was " a Disciple of Christ," who even then, when the Apostles had lost all thought that Christ's kingdom should ever be established, actually " waited for the kingdom of God," in expectation that it should yet appear d. This person went in " boldly" to Pilate, and begged to have the body of Jesus at his disposal. This conduct of his mani- fested a considerable degree of fortitude : for it could not but be very offensive to the rest of the Jewish council to see one of their own body paying funeral honours to one, whom, but a few hours before, they had condemned and crucified as a malefactor: besides, if Jesus should rise again according to the expectations that had been formed, he would infallibly be accused as a confederate with the other Disciples, and as having assisted them in stealing away the corpse from the tomb. Pilate, not believing that Jesus was so soon dead, sent for the centurion who superintended the execution, to inquire respecting it : and, on being assured by him that he was really dead, and that, subsequent to his death, he had been stabbed to the heart with a spear, he gave his consent. Joseph there- fore went and took down the body, and wrapped it in some fine linen which he had bought for the purpose. But in this he was assisted by another person of eminence, Nicodemus by name, " the same man who, three years before, had come to Jesus by night," to inquire into his doctrine; and who on one occasion had befriended him before the Jewish council, by stating, that the Jewish law did not admit of any person being condemned till after an opportunity of vindicating his own innocence had been afforded hime. This man " bought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes, and other spices, about an hundred pound weight ;" and, together with Joseph, wrapped up the dead body in it for the present, intending, probably after the sabbath, to embalm it with greater care.
Joseph, after the custom of the Jews, had provided for him- self a new tomb, hewn out of a rock : and, it being near to the
d Compare Matt, xxvii. 57 — 60. Mark xv. 42 — 46. and Luke xxiii. 50 — 53. with the text. c John vii. 50 — 52.