THE BURIAL OF JESUS.
John 19:38-42.
JOHN 19:38. After the flow of blood and water, a hitherto “secret” (literally, ‘concealed’) disciple stepped forward: Joseph of Arimathea.
The “fear of the Jews” (the Jewish leadership, of which he was a part) had prevented Joseph from admitting his allegiance to Jesus so far (cf. John 7:13); but Jesus’ death, and all that happened around Jesus’ death, finally convinced Joseph that it was time to make his stand for the Crucified One.
Pilate granted Joseph permission to take custody of the body of Jesus.
We know little about Joseph of Arimathea.
Matthew 27:57 tells us that he was a rich man.
Mark 15:43 tells us that he was ‘an honourable counsellor, who waited for the kingdom of God.’
Luke 23:50-51 elaborates on this latter comment: ‘a counsellor; a good man and a just’ who ‘consented not to the counsel and deed of them… who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.’
John 19:38 tells us that he was a "secret" disciple - "for fear of the Jews."
Nothing else is known of Joseph of Arimathea.
JOHN 19:39. Another secret disciple, “Nicodemus who first came to Jesus by night” (cf. John 3:1-2) brought enough spices for the burial of a king - which is singularly apt.
After his first encounter with Jesus, having been told, ‘you must be born again’ (John 3:3, John 3:7), Nicodemus went away. We cannot tell what turmoil his mind might have been in, what doubts in his own position as a holy man of Israel were awakened within him.
The second appearance of Nicodemus in the Gospel of John was when those of his own party, the Pharisees, wanted to condemn Jesus. It was Nicodemus who stood up for Him (cf. John 7:50-51): so from a secret admirer of Jesus, Nicodemus became a fearless upholder of justice on His behalf. We too must move beyond a mere admiration of Jesus to a public declaration of faith in Him.
Then, at a time when the inner circle of disciples had all but one deserted their Lord, Nicodemus joined Joseph of Arimathea in bearing away the body of Jesus after the crucifixion (John 19:38-42). These two secret disciples together were making public their adherence to Jesus, and all that He stands for. It is safe to conclude that Nicodemus is born again.
JOHN 19:40. The two men “bound” the body, with ‘fine linen’ apparently provided by Joseph (cf. Mark 15:46).
The amount of spices provided by Nicodemus would ensure that, in the wise providence of God, the body of Jesus would not ‘see corruption’ (cf. Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27) in the brief time before the resurrection.
JOHN 19:41. There was a garden close by the place of Jesus’ crucifixion. And in that garden a new sepulchre, “wherein was never man yet laid.”
Matthew 27:60 tells us that this was Joseph’s own new tomb, ‘hewn’ out of the limestone rock.
JOHN 19:42. With all due haste on account of the approaching Passover sabbath, “there they laid Jesus” - "for the sepulchre was nigh at hand."
Thus was fulfilled another Scripture: ‘He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death’ (cf. Isaiah 53:9).
The scene was set for the Resurrection.
