John 19:40

Then took they They took therefore.

wound it, &c. Or, bound it in linen cloths. The -cloths" seem to refer to the bandages which kept the whole together rather than the large -linen sheet" mentioned by the other Evangelists, which Joseph had bought on purpose (Mark 15:46). The word here used for -linen cloths" occurs also in Luke 24:12: see note there.

the manner of the Jews As distinct from the manner of the Egyptians, whose three methods of embalming are elaborately described by Herodotus (ii. 86 ff.). The Egyptians in all cases removed part of the intestines and steeped the body in nitre.

to bury The Greek verb is rare in Scripture; in N.T. only Matthew 26:12. The cognate substantive occurs John 12:7; Mark 14:8. In Genesis 50:2 it is used by the LXX. for the embalming of Jacob.