governor, who delivered the body of Jesus to the rich Joseph. While,
therefore, Jesus was executed in such a way that, but for the
intervention of the Jews and Pilate and Joseph, He would have been
buried with criminals, "he made his grave with the rich in his death."
Thus He who had humbled Himself in dying was honoured in His burial.
Joseph and Nicodemus were timid men. The one was a secret disciple and
the other, through fear of the Jews, came to Jesus by night. Though
members of the Sanhedrim, they had lacked courage to defend Jesus when
He was under trial; but now, grown bold, they identified themselves with
Him.

The sepulchre was carefully watched. The Jews, thinking that they might
hear something about the resurrection of Him whom they called "that
deceiver," went to Pilate and made known their fear that the disciples
would steal His body and say that He had risen from the dead.[115] The
Roman governor made light of their apprehension, and said to them,
perhaps sarcastically, "Ye have a watch: make it as sure as ye can." "So
they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a
watch,"[116]--proceedings which eventually furnished strong confirmation
of the reality of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.


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ARTICLE 5