John 19:38

And after this More literally, But after these things. The -but" marks a contrast between the hostile petition of the Jews and the friendly petition of Joseph. -These things" as distinct from -this" will shew that no one event is singled out with which what follows is connected: the sequence is indefinite. Comp. John 3:22; John 6:14. -After this" in John 19:28 is right: there the sequence is direct and definite. Comp. John 2:12; John 11:7; John 11:11.

Joseph of Arimathea See notes on Matthew 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50. The Synoptists tell us that he was rich, a member of the Sanhedrin, a good and just man who had not consented to the Sanhedrin's counsel and crime, one who (like Simon and Anna) waited for the kingdom of God, and had become a disciple of Christ.

secretly for fear of the Jews This forms a coincidence with S. Mark, who says of him (Mark 15:43) that - having summoned couragehe went in unto Pilate," implying that like Nicodemus he was naturally timid. Joseph probably went to Pilate as soon as he knew that Jesus was dead: the vague -after these things" need not mean that he did not act till after the piercing of the side.

took the body As the friends of the Baptist (Matthew 14:12) and of S. Stephen (Acts 8:2) did in each case.