Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
It was the custom of the Jews to wrap the dead bodies in strips of linen and to bury then with spices as the following extracts from the Mishnah attest: “let the dead be wrapped in his own linen” (Misn. Beracot. c. 8. sect. 6) “they do not say a blessing over a lamp, nor over the spices of idolaters; nor over a lamp, nor over the spices of the dead” (Misn. Beracot. c. 8. sect. 6.) It was Joseph who bought new linen cloth with which to wrap the body of Jesus (Mark 15:46).
Mark 15:46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
The use of fine linen points to the moral purity and sinless life of Jesus (1 Peter 1:19, Rev 15:6) and the aromatic spices speak of the fragrance of His death to the Father and to everyone who has applied its sacrifice to his life (Php 4:18, Eph 5:2, 2Cor 2:15-16).
1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Revelation 15:6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes round their chests.
Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Ephesians 5:2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
2 Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?