Evidence Of The Resurrection - The Scriptures (Part 1)

There are other Old Testament passages that pointed to Jesus’ death at Calvary. Likewise, there are several scriptures that reference His burial. This is why Paul could say that:

CHRIST WAS BURIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES

Like Paul, the Apostle John declared that the death of Christ took place in accordance with the scriptures. He says in John 19:36-37 (after recounting the events of the Crucifixion), “these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced”. After this, John went on to describe the burial of the Savior.

John 19:38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.

It was not just the death and resurrection of Christ that fulfilled prophecy, Isaiah also prophesied that “they made his (Messiah’s) grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death…” (Isaiah 53:9). The Gospels make it clear that Jesus was put to death along with two criminals and He was buried in a tomb owned by a wealthy man named Joseph of Arimathea

After Jesus died, Joseph boldly approached Pontius Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus so that he could provide Him with proper burial. It was common for the Romans to leave the corpses of those who were crucified on the cross for the elements and the vultures to dispose of. However, because this was a violation of the Mosaic Law, the Romans permitted the Jews to remove the bodies and bury their dead. Most of the time condemned criminals would be placed in a common grave outside the city gates, but Joseph had a far more honorable burial in mind.

Not much is known about Joseph of Arimathea but what we do know is quite impressive. Luke tells us that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. Though he was a member of the very Council that called for the death of Christ, Joseph was opposed to their decision. John tells us that he was a “secret disciple” (or follower) of Jesus for fear of the Jews. Matthew tells us that Joseph was a wealthy man and Luke describes him as being “good and upright” (Luke 23:50). Along with Joseph was another secret disciple” of Jesus named Nicodemus.

John 19:39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now 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. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Though these men had previously been “secret disciples of Jesus”, they now publicly identify themselves as followers of Christ by retrieving His body and taking it away for a proper burial.