John states that the "myrrh and aloes" weighed 100 lbs., (Troy); whence we infer that it was the wood of these drugs, burnt and powdered, and not the gums themselves that was used.

"His own new tomb."-It was ordered by Divine wisdom that Christ should be placed in a hitherto unoccupied tomb, for thus His enemies were prevented from either

1. Asserting that not Christ, but some other occupant of the sepulchre, had risen,―or

2. Professing that Christ's Resurrection resulted from His body touching that of some prophet,-just as had happened in the case of a corpse hastily thrust into Elisha's grave.

The Resurrection was the Father's great seal to His Son's Messiahship, and the pledge of our own rising. Had Christ's enemies, therefore, been able to deny His Resurrection, or to attribute it to any cause but God's immediate exercise of

Divine power, our faith," (as Paul argues), would be

"vain," and we should be "of all men the most miserable.” But, happily, the evidence of the Resurrection is overwhelming, as though it were intended that this precious cardinal doctrine should be established beyond a doubt.

"Which he had hewn out of the rock.' "Garden tombs" of this description were common. They consisted usually of several chambers. The ground floor was lower than the garden level, so that entrance was gained by a downward flight of steps, by which means, also, each room communicated with the next further in. Round the walls of the chambers were niches, or shelves, for the reception of the dead.

"A great stone."-The stones used in lieu of doors, to close tomb entrances, were circular, and moved in a groove cut at the foot of the sepulchre hence the expression "rolled a great stone." It needed the united strength of several men to move these stones.

"The other Mary,"-" Mary, the mother of Joses," as Mark tells us.

By his dying between two malefactors, and being buried in Joseph's sepulchre, in the costliest manner, was fulfilled Is. liii. 9,-"He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich, in his death."

The Sepulchre sealed, and a Watch set over it. (c. xxvii. 62-end.)

"Now, the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it sure as ye can.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."

This incident is peculiar to Matthew.

"The next day preparation."-The computation of time here is according to the Jewish system.

The "preparation," (i.e., for keeping the Sabbath), ended at six o'clock, when the Sabbath commenced.

As the design of the Sanhedrin was to prevent Christ's body being removed from the sepulchre during the hours of darkness, they would not suffer the first night of His being in the tomb to pass without the watch.

Consequently, their application must have been made to Pilate in the evening of the Crucifixion, just at the commencement of the Jewish Sabbath, which would be "the next day" to that of the "preparation."

"Chief priests and Pharisees," the Sanhedrin.

"After three days," &c.-Though these men had tried to avail themselves of the garbled version of Christ's words on this point, as a pretext for condemning Him, it is clear, from this speech of theirs, that they had understood it, (as Christ meant it), to apply to His body, not the Temple.

"The last error,"-.e., the people's state of delusion, should they believe Christ to have risen, would work more mischief than had already been done, by increasing His followers' number and strength.

"Ye have a watch,”—should be, "You can take a (Roman) guard," (to watch at the sepulchre.)

"Sealing the stone,"-probably by stretching a piece of cord from the stone to the sepulchre wall, and fixing each end with sealing-clay.

PERIOD V.-FROM CHRIST'S RESURRECTION, TO HIS ASCENSION, Thursday, May 16th. (40 Days). A.D. 30. SUNDAY, (Easter Day).

The two Marys, and Salome, come to the Sepulchre the Resurrection: the "Angel of the Lord" bids them go, and tell the Disciples as they are on the way, Christ Himself meets them.

(c. xxviii, 1-10.)

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him; lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."

All the Evangelists give an account of the Resurrection, and of different appearances of Christ on the Sunday. They vary considerably.

Towards dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, come to the sepulchre, and find the stone rolled back, and an angel sitting on it.

The angel tells them Christ is risen, shows them the place where He lay, and tells them to go and inform the disciples that He was risen, and was going before them into Galilee.

Jesus meets them, and instructs them to tell the disciples to go into Galilee, where they shall see Him.

Mark.

At dawn, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, come to the sepulchre, with the spices they had prepared.

They find the stone rolled away, and an angel inside the sepulchre.

He tells them Christ is risen, and instructs them to inform the disciples and Peter, that He is going into Galilee, where He will see them.

They flee quickly, and tell no man, through fear.

Christ appears first to Mary Magdalene, who tells His disciples, and they believe not.

He then appears to two of them, walking into the country, who tell the rest, and these believe not.

Luke.

Very early, the women from Galilee come to the sepulchre bringing spices.

They find the stone rolled away, and the body gone. They see two angels, who tell them Christ is risen. They, together with the women of the other party, tell the disciples, who believe not.

Peter runs to the sepulchre, and finds the news true. Christ appears to Cleopas and another, as they are going to Emmaus, where He reveals Himself to them.

They return to Jerusalem immediately, to tell the disciples, and are themselves informed that, meanwhile, Christ has appeared to Peter.

While they are talking, Christ stands in the midst of them.

John.

While it is yet dark, Mary Magdalene sets out for the sepulchre, and finds the stone removed.

She runs and tells Peter and John.

They run to the sepulchre, and then return home. Mary stands outside the sepulchre weeping, and sees two angels inside the tomb.

Jesus then appears to her, and she brings the news to the disciples.

The same evening Christ appears to the apostles, Thomas being absent.

Harmony of the Accounts.

Before dawn, on Sunday morning, the two Marys, and Salome, come to the sepulchre, reaching it at dawn.

They find the stone rolled away, and are informed by two angels, one outside, and the other inside, the sepulchre of the Resurrection.

They depart quickly, to tell the disciples.

Meanwhile, the women from Galilee, (probably Johanna, &c.), come to the sepulchre.

They find the stone rolled away, and are told by two angels, (the same seen by the other party), of the Resur

rection.

They also go, and tell the disciples, who believe neither party.

Mary Magdalene then goes, and tells Peter and John, (who probably lodged together), and they visit the sepulchre, and return.

Mary Magdalene, (having, doubtless, followed Peter and John), stands outside the sepulchre weeping, stoops down and sees inside the two angels, who comfort her; she turns and sees Christ.

(This was His first appearance).

She comes and tells the disciples, who do not believe. While the first party of women are going about telling the disciples of the Resurrection, Christ meets them, (His second appearance).

Christ then appears, (for the third time), to the two going to Emmaus.