"bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes
about a hundred pounds weight," as recorded by John (19:39),
especially since a woman came beforehand to anoint His body for the
burial, as Mark relates (Mk. 14:28). Consequently, this was not done
becomingly with regard to Christ.

Obj. 3: Further, it is not becoming for anything done to be
inconsistent with itself. But Christ's burial on the one hand was
simple, because "Joseph wrapped His body in a clean linen cloth," as
is related by Matthew (27:59), "but not with gold or gems, or silk,"
as Jerome observes: yet on the other hand there appears to have been
some display, inasmuch as they buried Him with fragrant spices (John
19:40). Consequently, the manner of Christ's burial does not seem to
have been seemly.

Obj. 4: Further, "What things soever were written," especially of
Christ, "were written for our learning," according to Rom. 15:4. But
some of the things written in the Gospels touching Christ's burial in
no wise seem to pertain to our instruction--as that He was buried "in
a garden . . . "in a tomb which was not His own," which was "new,"
and "hewed out in a rock." Therefore the manner of Christ's burial
was not becoming.

_On the contrary,_ It is written (Isa. 11:10): "And His sepulchre
shall be glorious."

_I answer that,_ The manner of Christ's burial is shown to be seemly
in three respects. First, to confirm faith in His death and
resurrection. Secondly, to commend the devotion of those who gave Him
burial. Hence Augustine says (De Civ. Dei i): "The Gospel mentions as
praiseworthy the deed of those who received His body from the cross,
and with due care and reverence wrapped it up and buried it."
Thirdly, as to the mystery whereby those are molded who "are buried
together with Christ into death" (Rom. 6:4).

Reply Obj. 1: With regard to Christ's death, His patience and
constancy in enduring death are commended, and all the more that His
death was the more despicable: but in His honorable burial we can see
the power of the dying Man, who, even in death, frustrated the intent
of His murderers, and was buried with honor: and thereby is
foreshadowed the devotion of the faithful who in the time to come
were to serve the dead Christ.

Reply Obj. 2: On that expression of the Evangelist (John 19:40) that
they buried Him "as the manner of the Jews is to bury," Augustine
says (Tract. in Joan. cxx): "He admonishes us that in offices of this
kind which are rendered to th