Matthew 27:57-61
Mark 15:42-47
Luke 23:50-56
John 19:38-42
Intro Questions
Jesus Buried in
Joseph’s Tomb
Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke
23:50–54; John 19:38–42
Mk 15:42When it was already evening, because it
was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), Jn 19:38aJoseph of Arimathea [Mt 27:57aa rich man from Arimathea named Joseph],
Lk 23:50aa good and righteous man, Mk 15:43ba prominent
member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, Lk
23:51awho had not agreed with their plan and action, Jn 19:38aa
disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate
that he might remove Jesus’ body.
Mk 15:44–45Pilate was surprised that He was already
dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45When
he found out from the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph, Jn
19:38bso he came and took His body away.
Jn 19:39–40Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at
night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes†. 40Then they took Jesus’
body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the
burial custom of the Jews.
41There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. And in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. 42So because of the Jewish preparation day, since the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there. Mt 27:60bHe left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 240).
Holman Bible Publishers.
Afterwards Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jewish leaders, boldly asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body down; and Pilate told him to go ahead. So he came and took it away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, came too, bringing a hundred pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Together they wrapped Jesus' body in a long linen cloth saturated with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. The place of crucifixion was near a grove of trees, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because of the need for haste before the Sabbath, and because the tomb was close at hand, they laid him there.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What do you learn about Joseph of Arimathea? Why would he risk his reputation and status at this point?
- What did Luke's account indicate about the women in Luke 23:55-56?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- Jesus had apparently failed, but Joseph and the women did not abandon him. What do you learn from this for your life?
- What does Jesus' crucifixion teach you about success, power, wealth and status?
- What can the church (or Christians) do to make God's word from the cross relevant to our needy world?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Changed Lives
The Gospel writers described four particular people who were changed in the process of Jesus' death. The criminal, dying on the cross beside Jesus, asked Jesus to include him in his Kingdom (Luke 23:39-43). The Roman centurion proclaimed that surely Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Joseph and Nicodemus, members of the Council and secret followers of Jesus (John 7:50-52), came out of hiding. These men were changed more by Jesus' death than by his life. They realized who Jesus was, and that realization brought out their belief, proclamation, and action. When confronted with Jesus and his death, we should be changed—to believe, proclaim, and act.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret followers of Jesus. Joseph was a leader and honored member of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin). Nicodemus, also a member of the Council, had come to Jesus by night (3:1) and later tried to defend him before the other religious leaders (7:50-52). They risked their reputations to provide for Jesus' burial.
Links to other information:
* New Tomb
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