50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.1 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Section Overview
Physical burial is important to Jews, but the crucified were often thrown into common graves and torn apart by animals. In this case a member of the council, Joseph of Arimathea, steps forward and asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. Luke is quick to point out that Joseph had disagreed with the decision to condemn and execute Jesus. He is a godly man looking forward to the kingdom of God. Joseph wraps Jesus in linen and places in him a tomb in which no body has ever been laid. He does so late Friday afternoon, as the Sabbath will begin that evening. Meanwhile, women from Galilee observe the tomb and its location and go to prepare spices and ointments prior to the Sabbath.
Section Outline
V. Death and Resurrection in Jerusalem (19:28–24:53) . . .
F. Crucifixion and Burial (23:26–56) . . .
2. Burial (23:50–56)
Response
Christians believe Jesus to have risen from the dead, and in these verses we see part of the evidence for this belief. The place of Jesus’ burial is publicly known, his tomb publicly available. The later false report was that the disciples had stolen the body; no one argued that the place of the grave was unknown or that he had been eaten and torn apart by animals. We also see that some religious leaders among the Jews believed in Jesus, as the narrative of Joseph of Arimathea makes clear. We read in Acts 6:7 of how a “great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Many Jews disbelieved, but we should recognize a remnant among the Jews who believed Jesus to be the Messiah.