Knowing The Word in Luke 23:50-56

Jesus Is Buried

23:50 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. 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.

Comments

All the gospel writers agree that Joseph took the lead in the burial of Jesus. He was a dissenting voice in the Sanhedrin against their unethical, homicidal actions against Jesus and likely a follower of Jesus along with Nicodemus. That he went directly to Pilate to ask for the body, showed his standing in the city and in the local governance.

Because it was Friday, they hastily put Jesus’ body in the tomb. From John’s Gospel we learn that Nicodemus brought seventy-five pounds of a mixture of aloe and myrrh for the burial custom of binding the body with linen cloths and the spices. We do not know if the women from Galilee knew this or not. They returned home before sundown to prepare more spices and ointments for Jesus’ body.

No one went to the tomb on the Sabbath.

Application

Some people stand up for what is right, dissenting from the majority when they see the sinful position of the majority. Joseph of Arimathea put his life on the line, demonstrating his devotion to Jesus. How would you describe your devotion to Jesus?

We need all four gospels to put the burial scene together. Take a few minutes to read all of them, noting their differences and similarities. Why do you think God provided us with four gospels?

Prayer

O God, our Father, as we consider the enormity of the cross and the selflessness of Joseph, may the love that was manifested by Jesus and the devotion displayed by Joseph, stream into our hearts and minds, that they may fully be submitted to loving God and loving neighbor.