57. When even was come. The Hebrews reckoned two evenings, an earlier and a later. The former began midway between noon and sunset, or at three o’clock in the afternoon. The latter began at sunset, six o’clock. The reference here is to the earlier evening, though the time may have been well on toward the beginning of the later. The preparations had to be hurried because the Sabbath would begin at sunset.
60. New tomb (xawé). See on Matt. xxvi. 29. Not newly hewn, but fresh, undefiled by anybody.
A great stone. Though in the Jews’ sepulchres in general there were doors hung on hinges, the grooves and perforations for which may still be seen. Joseph’s tomb may have been differently constructed, or else was in an unfinished state.
63. We remember (éurjo9npev). Lit., we remembered « v.¢., it occurred to us: we have just remembered, and have come to tell you before it shall be too late.
Cu. XXVIIL] MATTHEW. 147
That deceiver (éetvos 6 mdavos). The pronoun that is very picturesque ; being used of distant objects, and therefore here as pointing to one who is out of the way and far removed. IT avos, deceiver, is akin to TAavaw, to wander; and hence a vagabond impostor.
64. Error (zAavn). Not, as many render, deceit or ¢mposture, referring to 7Advos above; but the error on the peoples part. The last error, namely, the false impression that he has risen from the dead, will be worse than the first error—the impression made by his impostures that he was the Messiah.
65. Ye have (éyere). Or, as some render, imperatively : fave aguard! Rev., in margin, take.
66, Sealing the stone and setting a watch (chpayicartes Tov idov, weTa TAS KovaTwdilas). Lit., having sealed the stone with the watch. Rev., Sealing the stone, the guard being with them. This is rather awkward, but the rendering rightly cor- rects the A. V. The idea is that they sealed the stone in the presence of the guard, and then left them to keep watch. It would be important that the guard should witness the sealing. The sealing was performed by stretching a cord across the stone and fastening it to the rock at either end by means of sealing clay. Or, if the stone at the door happened to be fastened with a cross beam, this latter was sealed to the rock,