(a) Describe the roles of Joseph of Arimathea and the women in the burial of Jesus. (b) In what three ways was Joseph's action significant?

Answer Details

(a) The roles of Joseph of Arimathea and the women in the burial of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

Joseph of Arimathea:

• He was a rich, respected member of the Council (Sanhedrin) and a secret disciple of Jesus who had not consented to the Council's decision.
• As evening came, he went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
• Pilate, after confirming that Jesus was dead, granted the body to him.
• He bought fine linen, took the body down from the cross, and (with Nicodemus, who brought myrrh and aloes) wrapped it in the linen cloth with the spices.
• He laid the body in his own new tomb, hewn out of rock, and rolled a great stone against the entrance.

The women:

• Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Joses and other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee watched where the body was laid and sat opposite the tomb.
• They prepared spices and ointments to anoint the body, then rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

(b) Three ways Joseph's action was significant

• It showed courage and open commitment: a once-secret disciple now identified publicly with the crucified Jesus.
• It gave Jesus a decent and honourable burial, sparing His body the disgrace of a criminal's grave.
• It fulfilled prophecy that the Messiah would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), and provided the empty tomb that later confirmed the resurrection.