Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 19:42

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

He not only says plainly that Christ's Body was dressed for burial, and that there was a garden nigh unto the cross, and that there was a new sepulchre in it, but he also explains that He was laid therein, not leaving the least of the things which were done untold. For most essential truly to any creed or system of the mystery of our faith is the confession and the knowledge that Christ died. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 12 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Time compelled them to hurry. For the death of Jesus occurred at the ninth hour. Then, while they went to Pilate and while they took down the body, evening had naturally already come, when it was impossible to prepare a tomb. Therefore they lay Him in the nearest tomb. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"There laid they Jesus therefore, because of the Jews' preparation; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." He would have us to understand that the burial was hurried, lest the evening should overtake them; when it was no longer permitted to do any such thing, because of the preparation, which the Jews among us are more in the habit of calling in Latin, coena pura (the pure meal).

Tractates on John 120 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

2469 Now follows the burial. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, because evening was approaching when because of the sabbath no work was permitted, as the tomb, the new tomb, was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. Christ died about the ninth hour, but because his body had to be prepared for burial and other things had to be done, the day had grown into evening. As the tomb was close at hand, to the place where he was crucified, they laid Jesus there.

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

There therefore, on account of the preparation day of the Jews, and so the solemnity was imminent, on account of which it was not permitted to carry him far: because the tomb was nearby, that is, close, they placed him, namely Jesus. Augustine: "He wants us to understand that the burial was hastened, lest evening should fall, when already on account of the preparation day, which in more customary Latin among us the Jews call the 'pure meal,' it was not permitted to do any such thing." It is asked on the part of the Lord: since the …

Commentary on John, Chapter 19 ↗