=22. Pilate= succeeded to the office of procurator A. D. 26, and gave to the Jewish priests the management of their own affairs, in order to conciliate them, but at times he was exceedingly cruel and exacting.[176] As an instance, when he desired to bring water into Jerusalem from a distance of twenty-five miles, to aid in the enterprise he seized upon the money laid up in the Temple for sacred purposes. This act so enraged the Jews that they assembled by thousands at the palace gates demanding the restoration of the money. Pilate ordered his soldiers to disperse them, and they with their short daggers charged the crowds into the very precincts of the Temple, slaying great numbers even upon the altars of their sacrifices.[177]
=23. Jerusalem.= The Sanhedrin lead Jesus to Pilate, Matt. 27:2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28.
Pilate endeavors to deliver Jesus from death, but finally gives him over to crucifixion, Matt. 27:11‒26; Mark 15:9‒15; Luke 23:4‒24; John 18:38; 19:16.
The supernatural darkness, from the sixth hour (twelve, midday) to the ninth hour (three in the afternoon), Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44.
The rending of the veil of the Temple, Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45.
=24. This veil was= sixty feet high and of very heavy material, according to Jewish writers. A veil to cover the holy place was used in the temples of Diana at Ephesus and of Jupiter at Olympia, and as they were of the same material, of woollen and richly embroidered and in color purple, it seems they must have been suggested by the veil in the Jewish Temple, which was of the same material, work, and color. The Jewish veil was the inner one separating the “Holy of holies” from the other part of the sanctuary.[178] For the original description see Exod. 26:31.
The earthquake, Matt. 27:51. Rocks rent and graves opened, Matt. 27:52.
Centurion surprised, Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; Luke adds “all the people.”
Women beholding afar off, Matt. 27:55, 56; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25; John states that some stood by the cross.
=25. Joseph of Arimathæa= applies for the body of Jesus, Matt. 27:57‒60; Mark 15:42‒47; Luke 23:50‒53; John 19:38.
Nicodemus brings spices to the sepulchre, John 29:39.