That was a never-to-be-forgotten Sabbath to the sorrowing disciples, and also to the priests, rulers, scribes, and people. At the setting of the sun on the evening of the preparation day the trumpets sounded, signifying that the Sabbath had begun. The Passover was observed as it had been for centuries, while He to whom it pointed had been slain by wicked hands, and lay in Joseph's tomb. On the Sabbath the courts of the temple were filled with worshipers. The high priest from Golgotha was there, splendidly robed in his sacerdotal garments. White-turbaned priests, full of activity, performed their duties. But some present were not at rest as the blood of bulls and goats was offered for sin. They were not conscious that type had met antitype, that an infinite sacrifice had been made for the sins of the world. They knew not that there was no further value in the performance of the ritual service. But never before had that service been witnessed with such conflicting feelings. The trumpets and musical instruments and the voices of the singers were as loud and clear as usual. But a sense of strangeness pervaded everything. 775 One after another inquired about a strange event that had taken place. Hitherto the most holy place had been sacredly guarded from intrusion. But now it was open to all eyes. The heavy veil of tapestry, made of pure linen, and beautifully wrought with gold, scarlet, and purple, was rent from top to bottom. The place where Jehovah had met with the high priest, to communicate His glory, the place that had been God's sacred audience chamber, lay open to every eye,--a place no longer recognized by the Lord. With gloomy presentiments the priests ministered before the altar. The uncovering of the sacred mystery of the most holy place filled them with dread of coming calamity.

Josef gik dristigt op til Pilatus og bad ham om at måtte få Jesu legeme. Her hørte Pilatus for første gang, at Jesus virkelig var død. Modstridende rygter var nået til ham med hensyn til de begivenheder, der knyttede sig til korsfæstelsen, men med vilje havde man forholdt meddelelsen om Kristi død for ham. Pilatus var af ypperstepræsterne og rådsherrerne blevet advaret mod bedrag fra Kristi disciple med hensyn til hans døde legeme. Da han havde hørt Josefs anmodning, sendte han derfor bud efter den høvedsmand, der havde ansvaret ved korset, og fik sikkerhed for, at Jesus virkelig var død. Af ham fik han også en beretning om begivenhederne på Golgata, som bekræftede, hvad Josef sagde.