Mattityahu 27:36

36 And, sitting down, they began to keep watch over him there.

Mattityahu 27:36 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:36

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 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

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.

Mattityahu 27:36 In-Context

34 They gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And, after tasting it, he was unwilling to drink.

35 When they had hanged Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach on HAETZ, they divided up Moshiach’s garments among themselves, casting lots;

36 And, sitting down, they began to keep watch over him there.

37 They put up above his head the charge against him which read, THIS IS YEHOSHUA, MELECH HAYEHUDIM.

38 At that time, two shodedim were each hanged on his own etz with Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, one on the right and one on the left.