Definition: And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Mark 15:46. It’s a really fascinating and dramatic part of the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this describes how Jesus was prepared for burial. Here’s a more detailed explanation: “And he bought fine linen…” : Jesus was given a beautiful, expensive piece of cloth – likely a large, clean linen. It wasn’t just any cloth; it was considered a symbol of purity and respect. “…and took him down…” : This means they carefully removed Jesus' body from the place where he was lying. “…and wrapped him in the linen…” : They then meticulously wrapped his body in this beautiful, clean linen. It’s like a final, luxurious burial preparation. “…and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock…” : “Sepulcher” is Latin for “grave.” This means they built a stone coffin – a special grave – for Jesus. They carefully placed his body inside it. Importantly, the grave was hewn out from a rock. This suggests it was constructed with care and precision. “…and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.” : This is the most striking part. They rolled a large, heavy stone – probably a limestone block – across the door of the grave. This action symbolically sealed the tomb shut, indicating that Jesus was buried there. What does this tell us about what happened? This passage vividly shows the meticulous preparations made for Jesus' death. It emphasizes that his burial wasn’t just a simple act of placing him in a coffin; it was a carefully orchestrated event with significant symbolic meaning. It speaks to the belief that Jesus' death was intended to achieve something greater – salvation and reconciliation with God. Important Note: This passage is from a very early account of the events, and there’s some debate about exactly how this happened. But it’s generally accepted as a reliable description of what transpired. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the symbolism behind this passage (like its connection to Roman beliefs)?