Reading for March 26th

 Read John 19.31-42. In 19.31-37: Death confirmed. In verse 31: Death by crucifixion might take days; breaking the prisoner's legs would cause asphyxiation because they could not push themselves up to breath. Deut 21.22-23 forbids bodies to hang overnight. The concern was intensified because the day following the Preparation (see 19.14) was not only a sabbath but also Passover. In verse 34: The blood and water confirms Jesus' humanity (see 1 Jn 5.6). In verse 35: The witness might be the disciple Jesus loved. In verse 36: The first scripture might be a combination of three or four passages (Ex 12.10; compare Ex 12.46; see also Num 9.12; Ps 34.21). The second is Zech 12.10. In verses 38-42: Burial. Arimathea: a town northwest of Jerusalem. Joseph of Arimathea (compare Mk 15.43) was a disciple ... a secret one (see 7.13; 9. 22; 12.42; 20.19). Nicodemus (see 3.1-15; 7.48-52) was  another, who first came to Jesus under cover of night but now is in the open. Myrrh and aloes would reduce the smell of decay. A hundred (Roman) pounds, about 34 kilograms, an extravagant quantity.The Passion begins in a garden (18.1) and ends in a garden tomb (19.41). Comments or Questions..