Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:59

"And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth," — Matthew 27:59 (ASV)

He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. John adds that this was done with spices (John 19:40). The Jews were accustomed to use myrrh, aloes, and other aromatics, in large quantities, when they buried their dead. When they were not regularly embalmed, which was a long and tedious process, they enclosed the spices in the folds of the linen or wrapped the body in it.

Spices were sometimes used in such quantities as to form a heap or bed on which the dead body was laid. Thus it is said of Asa (2 Chronicles 16:14), they laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and spices, etc. There not being proper time to embalm the body of Jesus, he was buried in this manner. The women who attended him, either not being aware of this or desirous of showing further regard for him, returned from the sepulchre on the first day of the week and prepared other spices with which to embalm him (Luke 23:56; Luke 24:1).