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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
who was in command of the soldiers at the cross, and heard for a
certainty from his lips that Jesus was dead; and in compliance with
Pilate’s earnest request he recounted the fearful scenes of Calvary,
corroborating the testimony of Joseph.
Pilate then gave an official order that the body of Jesus should be
given to Joseph. While the disciple John was anxious and troubled
about the sacred remains of his beloved Master, Joseph of Arimathea
returned with the commission from the governor; and Nicodemus,
anticipating the result of Joseph’s interview with Pilate, came with
a costly mixture of myrrh and aloes of about one hundred pounds’
weight. The most honored in all Jerusalem could not have been shown
more respect in death.
The women of Galilee had remained with the disciple John to see
what disposition would be made of the body of Jesus, which was very
precious to them, although their faith in him as the promised Messiah
had perished with him. The disciples were plunged in sorrow; they
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were so overwhelmed by the events which had transpired that they
were unable to recall the words of Jesus stating that just such things
would take place concerning him. The women were astonished to
see Joseph and Nicodemus, both honored and wealthy councilors, as
anxious and interested as themselves for the proper disposal of the
body of Jesus.
Neither of these men had openly attached himself to the Saviour
while he was living, although both believed on him. They knew that if
they declared their faith they would be excluded from the Sanhedrim
council, on account of the prejudice of the priests and elders toward
Jesus. This would have cut them off from all power to aid or protect
him by using their influence in the council. Several times they had
shown the fallacy of the grounds of his condemnation, and protested
against his arrest, and the council had broken up without accomplishing
that for which it had been called together; for it was impossible to
procure the condemnation of Jesus without the unanimous consent
of the Sanhedrim. The object of the priests had finally been obtained
by calling a secret council, to which Joseph and Nicodemus were not
summoned.
The two councilors now came boldly forth to the aid of the disci-
ples. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at
that time. They could do for the slain Saviour what it was impossible