Joseph of Arimathaea

Intro

First introduction to the man we call Joseph of Arimathaea...

He is mentioned in all 4 Gospels...

Matthew 27:57–61 KJV 1900

57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Luke 23:46–56 KJV 1900

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. 50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

John 19:38–42 KJV 1900

38 And 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.

1. The Character of Joseph

a.) He was a rich man

What is a rich man doing coming to Pilate to beg the body of Jesus?

He had what he needed...

There was nothing for him to gain because of this...

b.) He was a bold man

Mark 15:43 KJV 1900

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

At a time when Jesus’ popularity went from a peak to now humiliation...

He boldly came to Pilate to “crave” or “beg” the body of Jesus...

Websters 1828 dictionary uses this passage for an example of the words “beg” and “crave”...

In an hour when others were wagging their heads and keeping their distance, Joseph was going straight to the source for the body of Jesus...

c.) He was a good and upright man

Luke 23:50 KJV 1900

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just:

d.) He was a disciple of Jesus

Matthew 27:57 KJV 1900

57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

2. The Companion of Joseph

John 19:38–39 KJV 1900

38 And 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.

Mark 15:43 KJV 1900

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

I don’t know, but I imagine Nicodemus’ example is what brought Joseph to the position he is in as well...

He too was part of the Sanhedrin, like Nicodemus, and they were together here at the cross to beg the body of Jesus...

How many think those in Salem or Washington DC can’t be saved?

Jesus reached two of the highest sect of Judaism of the time...

3. The Campaign of Joseph

Mark 15:44–45 KJV 1900

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

a.) Preparation of the body of Jesus

Matthew 27:59 KJV 1900

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

John 19:38–40 KJV 1900

38 And 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.

b.) Placing of the body of Jesus

Matthew 27:60 KJV 1900

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

c.) Protection of the body of Jesus

Matthew 27:60 KJV 1900

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Concluding thoughts:

Joseph was a rich man, who monetarily profited nothing from this...

He was willing to give up his “new tomb” for Jesus’ dead body...

After David’s son died, he cleaned himself up and worshipped...

After Jesus died, Joseph, Nicodemus and the women worshipped as well...

Luke 23:55–56 KJV 1900

55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.