And sitting down, they watched him there.
] That is, the soldiers, after they had crucified Jesus, and
parted his garments, sat down on the ground at the foot of the
cross, and there watched him, lest his disciples should take him
down; though there was no need to fear that, since they were few,
and weak, and wanted courage, and were in the utmost dread and
consternation themselves; or lest the people, who were very
changeable with respect to Christ, one day saying Hosanna to the
son of David, and another day crucify him, crucify him, should
once more change their sentiments of him, and through pity to him
rise and take him down; or rather, lest Jesus himself should, by
his miraculous power, unloose himself, come down, and make his
escape. It was usual with the Romans to set a soldier, or
soldiers, to watch those that were crucified, not only before
they expired, but after they were dead, lest they should be took
down and buried; as appears from Petronius, Plutarch, and others
F23. This seems to be the watch Pilate
refers to, ( Matthew
27:65 ) , and over which there was a centurion, ( Matthew
27:54 ) .
F23 Vid. Lipsium de Cruce, l. 2. c. 16. & Lydium. de re militari, l. 5. c. 4. p. 191. Kirchman. de funeribus Rom. append. c. 9. p. 726.