When the block holding back the stone was removed, the stone would roll down and lodge itself in front of
the opening.
Security precaution # 4 – the Jewish burialA fourth ̳security precaution‘ was the method of burial. The New Covenant is very clear that the burial of
Y‘shua followed the custom of the Jews, as I will explain.
4.1 Never overnight:
Y‘shua was taken down from the crucifixion stake and covered with a sheet. The Jews were very strict about
not allowing the body to remain all night upon the crucifixion stake. ̳If he is left (hanging) overnight a
negative command is thereby transgressed. For it is written his body shall not remain all night on the tree,
but thou shall surely bury him on the same day, for he is hanged (because of) a curse against God – as if to
say why was he hanged? - Because he cursed the name (of God) and so the name of heaven (God) is
profaned.‘
Y‘shua‘s body was immediately transported to the place of burial – to a private tomb near Golgotha where
He was crucified.
4.2 Body preparation:
In preparing a body for burial, the Jews would place it on a stone table in the burial chamber. The body
would first be washed with warm water. The Babylonian Talmud records that the washing of the body was
very important to proper burial. According to the ancient customs of the Jews, the water required for the
cleansing of the dead had to be warmed. The ceremonial of washing the corpse must not be performed by
one person alone, not even in the case of a child. The dead must likewise not be moved from one position to
another by fewer than two persons.
The corpse is laid on a board, with its feet turned towards the door and covered with a clean sheet. The
corpse is now washed from head to foot in lukewarm water, during which process the mouth is covered so
that no water should trickle down it.
First the dead lies with face lifted upward. Next, it is inclined upon the right side, while the left and part of the
back are being washed. It is then turned on the left side, while the right side and remaining portion of the
back are being subjected to the same treatment. The corpse is afterwards laid on its back. In some cases,
the nails are cut; but generally, they are simply cleaned with a special kind of pin; while the hair is often
arranged in the manner in which it was worn in life.
While this ceremonial is being carried out, some verses are recited by those who are officiating, concluding
with the words:
―I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will
cleanse you.‖ (Ezek 36:25)
The board on which the corpse is laid is cleansed, and all the water that may have been spilt around about is
cleared up so that no should pass over it. The overturning of the board is fraught with danger, and anyone
might die in consequence within three days afterwards.
4.3 Use of aromatic spices:
It was the custom, as verified in the New Covenant, to prepare the corpse (after cleansing) with various types
of aromatic spices.
In the case of Y‘shua‘s burial, nearly 50kg of spices were used. One might regard this as substantial, but it
was no great amount for a leader. Josephus, the Jewish historian, records that when Herod died, it required
five hundred servants to carry the spices. So 50kg was not unusual.
4.4 Strips of linen cloth:
After all the members of the body were straightened, the corpse was clothed in grave vestments made out of
white linen. There could not be the slightest ornamentation or stain on the cloth. The grave linens were sewn
together by women. No knots were permitted. For some, this was to indicate the continuity of the soul
through eternity.
No individual could be buried in fewer than three separate garments. At this point, the aromatic spices,
composed of fragrant wood pounded into a dust known as aloes, were mixed with a gummy substance
known as myrrh. Starting at the feet, they would wrap the body with the linen cloth. Between the folds were