How Was Jesus Christs Body Prepared For Burial

How Was Jesus Prepared for Burial?

Photographs courtesy of Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Pontius Pilate found Jesus of Nazareth guilty and sentenced him to death. In the same way that a regular criminal would be punished by hanging on a cross, with nails hammered though his hands and feet, he was executed by crucifixion. During battle, a spear was thrust into his ribcage by a Roman soldier. After hours of torture and exposure to the elements, he died in the presence of his supporters, who were at his feet. Many of his followers and disciples banded together to arrange and carry out a suitable funeral for their beloved messiah, which took place on April 14, 2012.

1Joseph and Nicodemus

Despite the fact that it was not customary for executed Roman captives to be returned to their families, Joseph of Arimathaea, a wealthy man from Judea, requested and was awarded the corpse of Jesus by Pontius Pilate, despite the fact that it was not customary. Joseph, along with Nicodemus, is credited with transporting Jesus’ corpse away from the crucifixion place to prepare him for burial rather than leaving him exposed as previous crucified persons had done.

2Wrapping

Even though there is no precise description in the New Testament concerning what was used to clean Jesus’ body, which had been coated in blood and other filth from his time on the cross, it is clear that he cleaned himself. Following the washing of Jesus’ body, Joseph and Nicodemus carefully covered his body in linens in accordance with Jewish customs of the time. Each of his limbs was covered in a shawl, and the shawl stretched around his entire torso. The linen was of high quality, and around 75 pounds of spices were used to soak the fabric and anoint the body before it was laid out on the table.

Jews, in contrast to pagans of the time, did not perform cremation, and embalming or removing the organs from the body was only a technique common in Egypt at the time of Jesus’ death.

3The Women

Several women, disciples, and members of Jesus’ family traveled from Galilee to mourn their Lord and prepare his corpse for burial. They noticed that Nicodemus and Joseph had already anointed Jesus with spices and fragrant oils when they arrived. However, it is hinted that others may have been there to assist in the preparations for Jesus’ burial in addition to the three women officially named in the Bible: Mary, Salome, and Mary Magdalene. Because the day following Jesus’ death fell on a Sabbath, the ladies chose to rest rather than apply extra oil and perfume to his corpse on that particular occasion.

4The Tomb

In addition to recovering Jesus’ corpse and assisting in the preparations for his burial, Joseph constructed an exquisite tomb for him. His mausoleum, which was set in a garden and made of stone, had been his personal own. The tomb was sealed with a big stone rolled in front of it after the corpse of Jesus had been put there. A guard has been posted at the cemetery site to deter individuals from stealing or vandalizing the memorial. Since 1999, Ricky Andromeda has been a published author. His essays have appeared on a variety of websites that cover a wide range of topics including pool, art, hunting, antiques, home improvement, chemistry, and gambling.

His undergraduate degree in English from Louisiana State University is currently being pursued by him at the University of Arkansas, where he is also pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in writing.

Jesus’ Body Is Prepared and Buried

Joseph was responsible for providing a beautiful tomb for Jesus in addition to removing his corpse and assisting in his preparation for burial. Located in a garden and made of stone, the tomb had been built by him himself. The tomb was sealed with a big stone rolled in front of it after the corpse of Jesus had been deposited inside it. People were discouraged from robbing or vandalizing the cemetery site by erecting a guard around it. He has been writing professionally since 1999. On several websites, he has written articles on a variety of subjects, including swimming pool and chemistry.

His undergraduate degree in English from Louisiana State University is currently being pursued by him at the University of Arkansas, where he is also pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing.

  • In addition to obtaining Jesus’ corpse and assisting in his preparation for burial, Joseph constructed a magnificent tomb for Jesus. His tomb, which was set in a garden and made of stone, had belonged to him. The tomb was sealed with a big stone rolled in front of it after the corpse of Jesus was laid within it. A guard has been posted at the cemetery site to deter individuals from taking or vandalizing it. Since 1999, Ricky Andromeda has been a professional writer. His essays have appeared on a variety of websites, including those devoted to pool, art, hunting, antiques, home improvement, chemistry, and gambling. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in writing at the University of Arkansas.

Nisan 14 is approaching its end of the day on Friday afternoon. The Sabbath of Nisan 15 will begin at sundown on the 15th of Nisan. Jesus has already passed away, but the two robbers who were with him are still alive and well. According to the Law, dead people “should not be left on the stake all night,” but rather should be buried “on the same day,” according to the Law. The book of Deuteronomy 21:22 and 23. Furthermore, Friday afternoon is referred to as Preparation Day because individuals prepare meals and finish any other duties that cannot wait until after the Sabbath are completed on Friday afternoon.

  1. (See also John 19:31) Due to the fact that Nisan 15 is the first day of the seven-day Festival of Unleavened Bread, the first day of which is always a Sabbath, it is being observed as a holiday.
  2. As a result, the Jews petition Pilate to speed the execution of Jesus and the two thieves who stood by him.
  3. By causing their legs to be amputated.
  4. The troops arrive and take the two thieves’ legs from under them.
  5. This satisfies the requirements of Psalm 34:20: “He is keeping all of his bones in good condition; not one of them has been shattered.” A soldier inserts a spear into Jesus’ side, penetrating the area of his heart, in order to dispel any remaining doubt that he is actually dead.
  6. — Zechariah 12:10, the Bible.

Joseph is described as “a wealthy man” and “a well-known figure.” (See Matthew 27:57 for further information.) According to the Bible, he is “a decent and upright man” who is “looking forward to the Kingdom of God.” In actuality, he stated that he was “a disciple of Jesus, but a covert follower because of his dread of the Jews,” and that he did not agree with the court’s ruling on Jesus.

  • Pilate summons the commanding officer of the soldiers, who verifies that Jesus has been executed.
  • Joseph purchases clean, beautiful linen and has the body of Jesus removed from the cross.
  • Nicodemus, “who had arrived to the first time in the middle of the night,” lends a hand with the preparations.
  • According to Jewish burial custom, Jesus’ body is wrapped in cloths laced with these spices before being laid to rest.
  • A big stone is then rolled in front of the grave to mark the beginning of the ceremony.
  • Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the Less may have been involved in the preparation of Jesus’ body, according to tradition.
  • — Luke 23:56 (NIV).
  • In order to prevent his followers from stealing him and claiming that he had been risen from the dead on the third day, direct that the grave be kept guarded until the third day.
  • Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and other women arrive at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to begin the process of preparing Jesus’ corpse for burial.

Their conversation revolves on the question of “who will roll the stone aside from the entrance of the tomb for us?” (Matthew 16:3) However, there has been an earthquake. Furthermore, God’s angel has removed the stone from the tomb, the guards have vanished, and the tomb looks to be empty!

The Burial of Christ’s Body

The death and resurrection of Christ are frequently emphasized, but the Lord’s burial receives little attention in the Christian community. Paul, on the other hand, states that the gospel of Christ includes the Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:3-4). After Jesus Christ died on the cross, his corpse was taken and interred in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea, a wealthy nobleman who was a member of the Hebrew Sanhedrin and who had recently built a new, unused tomb for him. Following this, according to the apostle Matthew, a wealthy businessman from Arimathaea, called Joseph (who was also a follower of Jesus), went to Pilate and requested that the corpse of Jesus be released.

He took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and put it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock: and he went out of the tomb, rolling a huge stone to the door of the tomb, and disappeared into the wilderness (Mt.

Mk.

Here are some intriguing and essential realities about the burial of Jesus Christ that you should know.

The Bodies of Criminals

The burial of Jesus’ body in the way detailed above was a profoundly unique operation from the perspective of a strictly human being. Rome executed Christ at the instigation of rebellious Jews, who demanded that he be crucified (Acts 2:23). According to the Latin poet Horace, it was common practice in ancient Rome to keep a corpse on a cross until it decomposed completely. He told about crucified slaves “feeding crows on the cross” and how they were tortured (Epistle1.16.46-48). In contrast, it was the Jewish tradition that anyone sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin was: not to be buried in the sepulchers of their forefathers, but in two separate burial grounds designated by the council, one for those who were slain by the sword and strangled, the other for those who were stoned and later hanged or burned (Lightfoot, 2.374; emphasis original).

  • The burial site of executed criminals was located outside the city of Jerusalem, according to one researcher, in a “region far outside the city of Jerusalem” (Lane, 578).
  • Also emphasized is that for Pilate “to give the body of a convicted criminal — especially one condemned for high treason — to someone other than a family was very rare” at the time (Wessel, 8.785).
  • As a result, every precaution would have been taken to ensure that the body was not removed away by authorities.
  • 27:63-64).

The Burial of Christ

Neither Jewish nor Roman custom dictated how the body of a criminal should be disposed of, which is why the Savior’s body was buried according to neither tradition. What was the reason behind this? For the time being, the most obvious interpretation is that Joseph was a powerful Jew of “honorable estate” (Mk. 15:43), who “asked for the body of Jesus.” And Pilate, the Roman ruler, “ordered it to be given up” for reasons that are not explained in the biblical narrative (Mt. 27:58). According to prophetic prophesy, however, even though Jehovah’s suffering Servant would be allocated “a grave among the wicked” (NIV), he would nevertheless be buried “with the riches of the world” (NIV) at the time of his death, and this is the final answer (Isa.

See also:  Who Led Jesus Into The Wilderness To Be Tempted

It is undeniable that divine Providence was at work in the fulfillment of this prophesy.

If Isaiah had just wanted to draw attention to the contrast between a disgraceful and a lavish funeral, he would have used two singulars instead of one singular.

He goes on to say that only Matthew’s account of Jesus’ burial in Joseph’s tomb can be considered a fulfillment of the prophesy, and that this is the only possible interpretation.

Divine Overruling

Although Christ’s opponents almost doubt meant for his tomb to be that of a common criminal (he was crucified between two thieves), it is extremely astonishing that a prophet seven hundred years earlier predicted that the Lord would be buried with the “rich” (in the company of the wealthy). As has previously been noted, this is plainly at odds with what would be expected under normal circumstances. A forecast of this kind couldn’t possible have happened by coincidence. It couldn’t possibly have happened.

He, on the other hand, who knows “the end from the beginning” is able to look into the future, cause it to be written, and see it through to completion (Isa.

Due to the possibility that some, most likely in opposition to the idea of the resurrection, would assert that Christ had not been raised but that the site of his tomb was merely unknown or had been misdiagnosed, it was critical that the tomb’s location be clearly known at all times.

However, given the current situation in Jerusalem, such point of view is no longer viable. Christ was laid to rest in the tomb of a wealthy and powerful man. His burial was not veiled in secrecy, as some had claimed.

The Seal of Jesus’ Tomb

In addition, a Roman seal was used to designate and certify the tomb’s location. For example, if it was necessary to seal a door, it was first fixed with a ligament, over which was poured a layer of well-compacted clay, and then imprinted with the seal, so that any violation of it would be found immediately (Job 38:14; Song 4:12; Mt. 27:66). (McClintock, 9.492-493). If we presume that the Romans did not keep records of such vital material, we are assuming the ludicrous. So the burial of Jesus is of paramount importance because it is inextricably linked to both the Savior’s death and his resurrection, as well as the Savior’s death and resurrection.

Was Jesus Embalmed?

There is one additional point to consider, and it deserves considerable consideration. It is widely believed that Jesus’ corpse was embalmed after his death. The term “prepared of the Lord’s body” is never used in connection with the preparation of the Lord’s body. Certainly, he was not embalmed in a manner similar to that used by the Egyptians, in which the remains were mangled after they were buried (see Morris, 496, 730). When spices were available, the Jews used them to anoint the corpse of the deceased.

  1. Jn.
  2. However, there is a crucial point to note.
  3. Acts 2:25-28) as a result of his resurrection.
  4. Because they had not anticipated Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples did not devise some bizarre scheme to seize his corpse and announce that he had been raised from the dead after his death.
  5. However, on the Sunday after his death (and for the next 40 days), the sight of him alive prompted them to place their confidence in the rising Christ.
  6. Christianity is founded on the resurrection of a crucified and buried Lord.

Burial Details of the Resurrection of Christ

The third of six blog postings investigating the authenticity of Christ’s resurrection, we ask you to study the verifiable, historical evidence that provides Christians with the assurance that Jesus rose from the death, precisely as He promised. In our last blog entry, we discussed the specifics of the crucifixion, such as the fact that Pilate wanted confirmation of Jesus’ death before ordering him to be taken down from the cross by soldiers.

The preparation of Jesus’ corpse for burial, as well as some of the extra procedures the Jewish authorities took to ensure that Jesus’ disciples would not take His body, will be the subject of today’s discussion.

Yes, Jesus Really Died

In this, the third of six blog postings investigating the legitimacy of the resurrection of Christ, we ask you to study the verifiable, historical evidence that provides Christians with conviction that Jesus rose from the grave, precisely as He promised in Matthew 28:1-11. When we talked about the crucifixion in our previous blog article, we talked about how Pilate requested confirmation of Jesus’ death before ordering him to be taken down from the cross. The preparation of Jesus’ corpse for burial, as well as some of the extra procedures taken by Jewish officials to ensure that Jesus’ disciples did not steal His body, will be discussed today.

Jewish Burial Customs

Because Jewish law forbade a crucified person from being on the cross on the Sabbath, a deceased person’s body had to be removed and buried before the end of the working day. The Roman soldiers were contemplating breaking the legs of Jesus, as well as the legs of the two thieves who were hanging next to him, as the Sabbath approached. This would speed their deaths. When they discovered that Jesus had already died, they took his corpse from the crucifixion, as ordered by Pilate. His remains was promptly transferred to the newly constructed and previously unoccupied tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

  1. The Sanhedrin was a group of Jewish religious leaders who requested Jesus’ death.
  2. In the Gospel of John, we discover that Joseph went to Pilate and requested for Jesus’ corpse despite the fact that doing so would jeopardize his social status.
  3. Nicodemus, another Jewish leader who had secretly come to believe in Jesus, moved forward to assist Joseph in preparing Jesus’ corpse for burial.
  4. According to A.P.
  5. Jesus would have been dressed in white linen burial robes at that point, according to tradition.
  6. After inserting aromatic spices mixed with a sticky substance known as myrrh between the folds of linen cloth, the two men would have wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloth, starting at his feet and working their way up.
  7. It is anticipated that at least a hundred pounds would have been spent on Jesus’s burial expenses.
  8. It is likely that his preparers would have put Jesus’ arms straight beside His body before wrapping more linen material over him, all the way to his neck.

Because the sticky myrrh would have stuck so tightly to Jesus’ flesh by this stage, it would have been extremely impossible for anybody to take the linen cloth from his body. Yet, according to the Gospels, the burial cloths were discovered in the empty burial tomb – perfectly folded!

Added Security Precautions

To avoid a crucified person being left hanging on the cross for an entire day, it was necessary to remove and bury the body before day’s end according to Jewish law, which was Friday. The Roman guards pondered breaking the legs of Jesus and two robbers who were hanging next to him as the Sabbath drew closer, in order to speed their executions. Pilate ordered the removal of Jesus’ body from the cross after they discovered that he had already died. Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb in Jerusalem, which had just been built, was promptly used to carry his remains.

  1. In addition, Joseph, who had been secretly following Jesus, was recorded as being opposed to this choice by Luke.
  2. It is documented in historical records that Joseph’s plea caused consternation among both the Roman and Jewish elders, leading to his imprisonment.
  3. Putting Jesus’ sheet-covered corpse on a board so that it might be washed in lukewarm water was the first step in the meticulous Jewish procedure.
  4. Bender’s essay in the Jewish Quarterly Review, the burial cleaning was so thorough that even Jesus’ nails would have been cleansed and clipped with a certain sort of pin, and His hair would have been meticulously arranged.
  5. Rather than using knots, women would have sewed the linen without breaking the rules.
  6. More than 500 attendants were required when King Herod died, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, in order to transport the spices used in his burial.
  7. Jesus’ body was required to be covered up to His armpits, according to Jewish custom.
  8. His head was wrapped in a different fabric from the others.
  9. Despite this, the Gospels state that the burial cloths were discovered in the empty burial tomb – nicely folded!

Ponder This

The irony is that, despite all of their safeguards and deception, none of those participating in this watershed point in human history were able to halt the spread of the Good News! We continue to repeat this story because it is real! Christ Jesus has risen from the dead! The empty tomb will be discussed in further detail in the following blog article. And then there’s Easter, which is coming up shortly. Take up the Easter Challenge: with whom can you communicate God’s tremendous love for us and how can you help them?

On Easter Sunday, who do you think you should invite to church? Are you compelled to meet Jesus personally today after reading about all he has done for you and me simply by reading this?

Order Now:The Resurrection and You

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit//.Adapted from Parallel Gospels © Books for Living, Inc. Digital Edition by V. Gilbert Beers, © 2009 Bible Studio, LLC.Used by Permission.Bible Hub

57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.58This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be givento him.59And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.61And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. 42When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,43Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.44Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.45And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.46Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.47Mary Magdalene and Mary themotherof Joses were looking onto seewhere He was laid. 50And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man51(he had not consented to their plan and action),a manfrom Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;52this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.53And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.54It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.55Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.56Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. 31Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, andthatthey might be taken away.32So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him;33but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.34But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.35And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.36For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “N OT A BONE OFH IM SHALL BEBROKEN.”37And again another Scripture says, “T HEY SHALL LOOK ONH IM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”38After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secretonefor fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.39Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred poundsweight.40So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.41Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.42Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

JESUS’ BODY PLACED IN THE TOMB – Bible study questions

  • The irony is that, despite all of their safeguards and deception, none of those involved at this important time in human history were able to prevent the dissemination of the Good News! We continue to repeat this story because it is true. It is the Lord Jesus Christ who has come to life! We’ll take a look at the empty tomb in the following blog article. And then there’s Easter, which is coming up shortly! Take up the Easter Challenge: with whom can you communicate God’s incredible love for us and how can you help them? Easter Sunday is a great day to welcome people to church. Are you compelled to meet Jesus personally today after simply reading about all he has done for you and me?

The body of Jesus was taken away by Joseph of Arimathea and laid in a tomb, according to the gospel accounts. Why? In order to demonstrate that Pontius Pilate, an independent witness, was aware that Jesus was truly dead and that the Galilean women were able to verify the location of the tomb, the women traveled to Jerusalem. Drawing depicting the rebuilding of a subterranean tomb from the first century. What is the significance of this section of Jesus’ story? It establishes that Jesus had truly died, and that he was buried by not one but two influential, respected men who could attest to the fact – an important point to remember when considering that the early Christians were accused of fabricating the story of Jesus’ resurrection.

The fact of Jesus’ death could also be verified by the Galilean women who prepared Jesus’ body for burial; they were well-known and trusted by the Galilean disciples, and they were able to attest to it.

  • Joseph, who was most likely born in a city in Judea called Ramathaim, was a wealthy and important man who served as a member of the Sanhedrin. The Bible describes him as ‘on a quest for the Kingdom of God,’ and it’s possible that he felt he had discovered it in Jesus. He might have been absent from the hurriedly convened council that condemned Jesus, or he could have had his objections to the death sentence overruled. Alternatively, he may have lacked the strength to speak up in Jesus’ defense — according to Mark’s narrative, Joseph had to ‘build up his courage’ before asking for Jesus’ corpse to be returned. To defend or protect Jesus was a risky move for him, as it could have serious ramifications for his advancement in social, religious, and political circles. Nicodemus brought spices for the burial, including powdered myrrh and aloes, weighing approximately 70lbs in modern weight, which was an incredible amount at the time. There is no explanation as to why he contributed such a large sum of money. However, according to John, Nicodemus came to hear Jesus under cover of darkness, as if he was terrified
  • Maybe he was now attempting to make up for his fearfulness.

Here were two highly respected individuals of genuine Jewish religion who were able to respond to Jesus’ teachings in an appropriate manner. Just two men could not have completed the process of burying Jesus in the two to three hours of daylight remaining before the beginning of the Sabbath. It would have been impossible. It would have been difficult to transfer Jesus’ dead corpse, and it would have taken several men to lift the stone that blocked the entrance to the tomb. Considering that Joseph and Nicodemus were both wealthy men, it is likely that they had a large number of servants at their disposal.

  1. They openly followed Jesus and loudly declared their allegiance, but when it came down to it, they turned their backs on him.
  2. At the bottom of the page, read the blue Gospel text.
  3. He had not anticipated Jesus to die in such a short period of time.
  4. However, Jesus had undergone a severe beating, which no probably resulted in major internal injuries; he had also been nailed to the crucifixion rather than bound, resulting in crippling blood loss; and he had been nailed rather than tethered to the cross.
  5. Pilate interrogated the centurion who had been in charge of killing Jesus in order to ascertain the facts, and he was reassured that Jesus was truly dead by the centurion’s response.
  6. What was it that the chief priests and Pharisees were afraid of?
  • Alternatively, it is possible that Jesus was brought down from the crucifixion while still alive, snatched away by his followers, and then resuscitated
  • Or that Jesus’ companions took his corpse and subsequently claimed that he had risen from the dead, as he had foretold

Either possibility would allow Jesus or his followers to assert that Jesus had fulfilled his vow to resurrect from the dead three days after his death. Pilate needed to be absolutely certain that this would not happen. At the bottom of the page, read the green Gospel text. What precisely happened when they buried Jesus is still a mystery. When a feast day was coming in Judea, the bodies of crucified persons were removed from the cross and delivered to family. After nightfall, a body was not permitted to be hung on a cross.

  1. the sacred character of the festival ought to be observed.
  2. This indicates that the body was cleaned before to being wrapped in a modest shroud made of fine linen, a procedure that is often undertaken by the female relatives of the deceased at their homes.
  3. Following that, the body was put on a stone shelf within the tomb.
  4. Everything had to be completed in the short amount of time left before nightfall since everyone involved was a devout Jew who strictly observed the Sabbath.
  5. This eliminates the prospect of multiple dead bodies being mistaken for Jesus’ body if Jesus’ body is the lone body in a newly discovered tomb.
  6. An extra safeguard to prevent the theft of Jesus’ body is mentioned in Matthew’s gospel (27:62-66): the stationing of a guard at the tomb and the sealing of the tomb, according to Matthew.
  7. What was the atmosphere like in the tomb?
  8. At the bottom of the page, read the blue Gospel text.

If no one came forward to claim it, it would be buried among other offenders in a mass grave. Mater Dolorosa, often known as the Sorrowing Mother, is a Spanish statue made of wood. Because of this, their presence is critical.

  • It established them as eyewitnesses to the fact that he had been buried and was thus actually dead
  • And it demonstrated that there were Galilean disciples who were familiar with, and could attest to, the specific tomb in which Jesus’ corpse had been laid in state of death. It seemed improbable that they would end up at the wrong tomb when they returned on Easter morning because of their courage and commitment.

It was important to have this information after the Resurrection when individuals indicated that Jesus was not truly dead, or that there had been a mix-up in the location where he was buried. Furthermore, if the ladies were to pay a visit to the tomb on Easter morning, they needed to know where it was located. At the bottom of the page, read the blue Gospel text.

Return to top

1. The desire to bury Jesus in the ground. Take note of the blue text. 2. Pilate’s amazement, as well as the chief priests and Pharisees’ surprise. Take note of the green text. The burial of Jesus is the third point. Take note of the red text. 4. The women who gathered at the grave. Take a look at the black letters. Matthew 27:57-6657 (NASB) When it was almost dark, a wealthy man from Arimathea, called Joseph, arrived, who happened to be a disciple of Jesus as well. 58 He went to Pilate and demanded that the corpse of Jesus be returned to him.

  • Then Joseph took the corpse and dressed it in a clean linen shroud, 60 and put it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock; and he went out of the tomb, rolling a huge stone to the door of the tomb.
  • 62 63 The next day, i.e.
  • “Go, make it as safe as you possibly can,” Pilate told them in response to their request for a guard of soldiers.
  • 15:42-4742 (Mark 15:42-4742) And because it being the day of Preparation, i.e., the day before the Sabbath, it was late in the evening when I arrived.
  • 44 And Pilate began to worry if he had already died, so he summoned the centurion and inquired of him as to whether he had already died.
  • He went and bought a linen shroud, and after dragging him down from the throne, he wrapped him in the linen shroud and put him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock, sealing it with a stone that was rolled against the tomb’s door.
  • 23:50-5650 (Luke 23:50-5650) There was now a guy called Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea who had arrived on the scene.

52 This man went to Pilate and demanded that the corpse of Jesus be returned to him.

54 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was just about to begin.

They observed the Sabbath in accordance with the law of the Lord.

As a result, he arrived and removed his body.

40 They took the corpse of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, as was the Jewish custom for burying the dead at the time of Jesus’ death.

41 The garden that had grown up around where Jesus had been crucified, as well as a new tomb where no one had ever been placed before, were now in place. 42 As a result, they put Jesus in the tomb since it was the Jewish day of Preparation and because the tomb was near by.

What were the Rituals Associated with Death and Burial in Jesus’Day?

In the Jewish tradition, the burial of the deceased was taken very seriously; it was the method in which a community paid its final respects to the one who had died. Even the deadliest enemy’s body was not to be left unburied, according to the Scriptures, which was quite a strict commandment. It is possible that one of the most horrific atrocities that a Jewish person could fathom was described in Psalm 78: The remains of thy servants have been thrown to the ground as food for the birds of heaven, and wild beasts feast on the carcasses of the righteous.

  • The moment a person died, his eyes were to be closed, he was to be kissed with affection, and his corpse was to be cleaned (Genesis 50:1; Acts 9:37).
  • The most common of them was nard, but other herbs like as myrrh and aloes were also utilized.
  • Fabric strips were used to bind the hands and feet of the model.
  • All of this transpired in a relatively short period of time; burials were generally completed within eight hours after the victim’s death.
  • Following this brief period of time during which the living might say their final goodbyes to the departed, the body was transported to the cemetery in a form of litter.
  • Women were in charge of the procession, and it was frequently quite a raucous spectacle—even in situations where the grief was not very severe (such as in the case of a person who had died after a long illness).
  • As a result of these expectations, several families choose to engage professional mourners to assist them during the process.

It was always required that cemeteries be at least fifty yards away of any town or settlement.

Larger families or groups of families would sometimes use these burial grounds in conjunction with one another.

In a cave, there would be an exterior chamber and an inner chamber, or at the very least a front and a rear half.

In most cases, once the last respects were given, a big round stone was rolled into place (through a groove) to cover the tomb to complete the ceremony.

This was due to the fact that Jews were considered unclean if they came into close touch with a deceased person.

This acted as a form of warning to anyone who passed through the whitewashed tomb gates.

According to the Gospels, a potter’s field was purchased to serve as a burial ground for the impoverished and foreigners who died in Israel during Jesus’ ministry (Mat 27:7).

It was customary for the very closest relatives (such as a wife, son, or daughter) to be in mourning for 30 days.

Families would return to the tomb after roughly a year to retrieve their loved one’s bones, which they would then place in a box known as an ossuary.

On this premise, the Jewish term “rested with his forefathers” is used to refer to a person who has passed away.

When Moses left Egypt, according to Scripture, he brought the bones of Joseph with him; this was because Joseph had solemnly promised the people of Israel, stating, “God will visit you, and when he does, then you must bring my bones with you from here” (Exodus, 13:19).

The bones of Joseph were brought up from Egypt by the people of Israel, and they were buried in the portion of land that Jacob purchased from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of silver (Jos 24:32).

As a result, Joseph was reunited with his forefathers. And so will we, till the Last Trumpet blows and our bodies rise to their feet.

What the Bible says about Jesus Christ’s Burial

Topical StudiesWhat the Bible says about Jesus Christ’s Burial (FromForerunner Commentary)All four gospel writers mention thatJesuswas tried, convicted, crucified, and buried on a preparation day. Without any further clarification, one would assume that they meant a Friday, the weekly preparation day before theSabbath. But can other days be considered preparation days as well?Yes, indeed!GodHimself gave the instructions about the use of the preparation day to the Israelites before they reached Mount Sinai (Exodus 16:23).

  • Since the holy days can fall on any day of the week, the preparation day can fall on any day of the week as well.This is very relevant to thePassover.
  • According to the calculated Hebrew Calendar, Passover can fall on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sabbath.Clearly, our Savior was crucified on a Passover day (Matthew 26:2).
  • Mary herself confirms she was a virgin: “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34).His “immaculate conception” (not in the Roman Catholic sense) decreed His worthiness to be our High Priest and Mediator before the Father.
  • For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.
  • In his commentary on the Bible, Albert Barnes says the phrase “My people” should be used here.
  • He would be denied even an honorable burial.Matthew 12:40Some try to say that the phrase ” in the heart of the earth ” inMatthew 12:40does not mean buried in a grave or tomb.
  • First, the Greek is literally translated here, as it is from a Hebrew idiom found inJonah 2:2-3, the place to which Jesus referred in giving His sign.

So,heart of the earthmeans “underground,” just asheart of the seasmeans “underwater.” “In the heart of the earth,” then, was a Hebrew metaphor signifying being dead and buried.Second, the similar sign Jesus gave inJohn 2:19, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up,” is explained plainly in verse 21: “But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” Though they use different metaphors, the two signs are the same: Being in the heart of the earth is the result of having the temple of His body destroyed.

Ergo, Jesus was not talking of His travel plans in Jerusalem but of His death, burial, and resurrection.Indeed, the Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35), as much as men try to cram their traditional beliefs into it.

The task of preparing and applying the spices for burial required work, which is expressly forbidden on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-10).

At first Pilate did not believeJesushad died so quickly, so he called the centurion ofthe crucifixiondetail to verify it (Mark 15:44-45).

With the help of Nicodemus, he then took the body down, wrapped it in the linen—along with about a hundred pounds of spices—and placed it in the tomb (John 19:39-41).With all this activity and work between the various locations, Joseph and Nicodemus must have had very little daylight left when they finally rolled the stone over the entrance to the tomb.

If, as we have shown, He was buried for exactly 72 hours, He was also resurrected at sunset—not at dawn!Mark 15:43-46Joseph was “waiting for thekingdom of God.” Well versed in the Old Testament, he anticipated the reign of the promised Messiah.

It implies that he believed ‘ Jesus ‘ to be the Messiah, and had ‘waited’ for HIM to build up the kingdom ofGod.Mark emphasizes that Joseph exhibited “great courage” in going before Pilate to request Jesus’ body.

Much is left unsaid here, such as how did Joseph get in to see Pilate?

Joseph, however, “went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Before deciding, Pilate sought more information.

In all likelihood, Joseph remained and talked with Pilate while awaiting the centurion’s arrival.

Did they perhaps know each other?Luke 23:55-56If we continue in Luke’s account, we get the impression that the women hurried to a spice shop, bought the spices and oils, prepared them, and then rested on theSabbath(verse 56).

If Joseph barely had time to buryJesus ‘ body before sundown, how much less time would the women have had to do all that they needed to do!Luke 24:21This verse is commonly misunderstood in relation to the timing of Christ’s death and resurrection.

They were rehearsing what had happened in Jerusalem toJesusby the chief priests and rulers of Judea (verses 18-20).This conversation occurred on Sunday,the same daythat the women, Peter, and John had gone to the tomb only to find it empty.

How do we reconcile this to the overwhelming body of evidence that Christ was buried on a Wednesday afternoon and raised again on a Saturday afternoon?The key is in the repetition of the words “all these things,” “these things,” and “the things” of verses 14, 18-19 and 21.

The fact that is often forgotten is that their ignominious actions against Him did not end with delivering Him to Pilate for crucifixion!

These Jewish leaders went to Pilate on the holy day to “guarantee” that their Messiah would not rise from the dead.

Note that their words preclude a Friday crucifixion as well, since Sunday is only the second day from Friday.

The Berean: Daily Verse and CommentSign up for theBerean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. See whatover 150,000 subscribersare already receiving each day.Email Address:
We respect your privacy. Your email address will not be sold, distributed, rented, or in any way given out to a third party.We have nothing to sell. You may easily unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.