Jesus is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb
December 13, 2022
Commentary
If it hadn’t of been for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38) Jesus might not have had a decent burial (vv. 57-61). Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin but had not agreed with their decision to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:51). Since Joseph was a rich man, he had prepared the tomb which was cut out of the rock near the place of the crucifixion. Why he would own a tomb in Jerusalem is not explained but we do know that he had it. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen with a mixture of myrrh and spices used for burial. This was done rapidly in order to be completed before the Sabbath began at nightfall. According to the text only the two Marys’ watched the burial and no disciples were present.
Apparently, the high priests and some Pharisees remembered that Jesus had talked about rising again in three days. The enemies of Jesus often understood Him better than His friends and followers did. The disciples did not grasp until sometime after the Resurrection that Jesus would actually rise from the dead (John 20:9). Even though the Pharisees did not believe Jesus would rise, they were afraid the disciples might take His body and spread stories that He had resurrected. They asked Pilate to be sure to seal the tomb and station soldiers there to prevent any “deception” (vv. 62-66). Without realizing it, the Jewish leaders and the Roman government joined forces to help prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note how the disciples had forgotten that Jesus promised to rise from the dead on the third day, but His enemies remembered.
Application
What risks do you think Joseph had to take in asking for the body of Jesus? What risks are necessary if I am going to identify myself with Christ today? Am I willing to take the risk?
Matthew 27:57– 66 (NET)
57 Now when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut in the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 (Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there, opposite the tomb.)
62 The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders to secure the tomb until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal his body and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “Take a guard of soldiers. Go and make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the soldiers of the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.