Burial of Jesus

Illustration of Burial of Jesus
Era
Life of Christ
Date
AD 30 or 33 ≈ Approximate
Reference
John 19:38-42
Two secret disciples stepped into the open to give Jesus an honorable burial in a new tomb hewn out of the rock.

After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man and honorable counsellor who had been a disciple secretly for fear of the Jews, went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. Pilate marvelled that He was already dead, confirmed it with the centurion, and gave the body to Joseph. Nicodemus, who at the first came to Jesus by night, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight, and together they wound the body in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews was to bury. In a garden near the place of crucifixion was a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid, and because of the preparation day they laid Jesus there and rolled a great stone to the door. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat watching over against the sepulchre, and at the request of the chief priests the stone was sealed and a watch was set.

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Did You Know?

1

Isaiah had foretold that the Servant would make his grave 'with the rich in his death.'

2

Matthew says the tomb was Joseph's 'own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.'

3

The chief priests 'made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.'

Key Passage

Burial of Jesus

John 19:38-42

A38nd after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Read full chapter: John 19 →

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.

When: c. 5 BC - AD 33

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Pax Romana)

Biblical Parallels: Matthew 1-28 , Mark 1-16 , Luke 1-24 , John 1-21

Explore Related

Characters 5

Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Old… Joseph of Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and a secret disciple of Jesus who took… Nicodemus Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, who sought out Jesus at… Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect of Judea from approximately 26 to 36 AD, exercising authority… Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene was a woman from the Galilean town of Magdala who became one of Jesus' most dedicated…

Places 3

Golgotha Golgotha, meaning the Place of the Skull, was an execution site located just outside the walls of Jerusalem… Jerusalem Jerusalem stands as the ancient capital of Israel and holds profound religious importance as a holy city… Arimathea (Arimathaea) The hometown of Joseph, the secret disciple who gave his own new tomb for the body of Jesus.