Joseph

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy disciple who buried Jesus in his own new tomb.

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy and prominent member of the Jewish council (Mat 27:57; Mrk 15:43). He was a disciple of Jesus but secretly out of fear of the Jewish leaders (Jhn 19:38). Joseph is described as a good and righteous man who had not consented to the council's decision to condemn Jesus (Luk 23:50-51). After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph boldly asked Pilate for Jesus' body (Mrk 15:43; Jhn 19:38). He took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb, which had been cut out of rock (Mat 27:59-60; Mrk 15:46; Luk 23:53). The tomb was then sealed with a large stone (Mat 27:60). Joseph's actions fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isa 53:9). His selfless act provided a proper burial for Jesus and demonstrated his devotion and respect for the Lord.

A native of Arimathea, probably the Ramah of the Old Testament (1 Sam. 1:19), a man of wealth, and a member of the Sanhedrim (Matt. 27:57; Luke 23:50), an “honourable counsellor, who waited for the kingdom of God.” As soon as he heard the tidings of Christ’s death, he “went in boldly” (lit. “having summoned courage, he went”) “unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.” Pilate having ascertained from the centurion that the death had really taken place, granted Joseph’s request, who immediately, having purchased fine linen (Mark 15:46), proceeded to Golgotha to take the body down from the cross. There, assisted by Nicodemus, he took down the body and wrapped it in the fine linen, sprinkling it with the myrrh and aloes which Nicodemus had brought (John 19:39), and then conveyed the body to the new tomb hewn by Joseph himself out of a rock in his garden hard by. There they laid it, in the presence of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses, and other women, and rolled a great stone to the entrance, and departed (Luke 23:53, 55). This was done in haste, “for the Sabbath was drawing on” (comp. Isa. 53:9).