231 Burial of Jesus

Matthew 27:5761; Mark 15:4247; Luke 23:5056; John 19:3142
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock. Matthew 27:5960

After Jesus was crucified, the Jewish officials were eager to take His body off the cross before the Sabbath (see Mark 15:42; John 19:31). Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable and wealthy disciple who followed Jesus secretly because he feared the Jews, went to Pilate and asked permission to care for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead, but he granted Joseph's request. (See Matthew 27:5758; Mark 15:4345; Luke 23:5052; John 19:38.)

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, another disciple of Jesus, took the body from the cross. Nicodemus brought expensive spices, which he and Joseph put on Jesus' body before they wrapped it in fine linen, according to Jewish burial custom. After laying Jesus' body in Joseph's new sepulchre (tomb), which was located in a garden near where Jesus was crucified, Joseph and Nicodemus rolled a stone against the tomb doorway. (See Matthew 27:5960; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; John 19:3942.)

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James saw where Jesus was laid and returned home to prepare spices and ointments for His body (see Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:5556).

Summary

After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took His body down from the cross. They prepared it for burial with spices and fine linen, according to Jewish custom. Jesus' body was laid in Joseph's new tomb in a nearby garden. They then rolled a stone across the entrance.

Artist, Carl Heinrich Bloch
Used by permission of the National Historic Museum at Frederiksborg in Hillerød.

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