The Burial of Jesus: Actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
John 19:38–42 (NKJV)
The Burial of Christ
Matt. 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23:50–54
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
Message
Joseph was a rich man from Arimathea (38, Matthew 27:57). He was a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders) (John 19:38 NLT, Matthew 27:57). He was a good and upright man (Luke 23:50). He was a prominent member of the high council (Mark 15:43 NLT, Luke 23:50) but, he had not consented to their decision and action (Luke 23:51). The high council was called the Great Sanhedrin. It was the highest religious and legal authority, comprising 71 members. He was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come (Mark 15:43 NLT, Luke 23:51 NLT).
He went boldly to Pilate (Luke 15:43) and asked him that he might take away the body of Jesus and Pilate gave him permission (38). So, he came and took the body of Jesus (38).
Nicodemus was with him. Nicodemus earlier had visited Jesus at night (John 3:1-2). He brought a large amount of mixture of myrrh and aloes (39). Following Jewish burial customs, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth (John 19:40 NLT). The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before (John 19:41 NLT). Joseph had cut out of the rock to make this tomb (Matthew 27:60). And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:42 NLT).
