42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 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. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47 KJV)
Jesus is Buried
We are here attending the funeral of our Lord Jesus—a solemn, mournful funeral. Observe how the body of Christ was requested. As with the bodies of criminals, it was at the disposal of the government. Those who rushed him to the cross intended for him to be buried with the wicked, but God had ordained that he would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), and so it was.
We are told when the body of Christ was requested for burial and why the funeral was arranged quickly: it was evening, and it was the preparation day, the day before the Sabbath (Mark 15:42). The Jews observed the Sabbath with great strictness, and this day, though a feast-day itself, was observed with special devotion as the Sabbath approached. The day before the Sabbath should be a time to prepare our hearts for the Sabbath, freeing them from worldly distractions and readying ourselves for God’s service and enjoyment. Since important spiritual work and blessings are found on the Sabbath, it’s wise to prepare ahead—indeed, the entire week should be spent both drawing from the previous Sabbath and getting ready for the next.
Joseph of Arimathea was the one who requested the body and arranged for a respectful burial. He is described as an honorable counselor (Mark 15:43), a man of standing and public responsibility. Some believe he was part of Pilate’s council, though more likely he was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He was a man who conducted himself honorably in his position. True honor in places of power belongs to those who act with integrity and according to the responsibilities of their role. More importantly, he waited for the kingdom of God—the kingdom of grace on earth and glory in heaven.
Those who wait for God’s kingdom must show it by supporting Christ’s cause, even when it appears defeated. Among the rulers, at least one man—Joseph—looked for the kingdom, and his faith stands in contrast to the unbelief of the others. God raised him up for this important task when Christ’s disciples lacked the resources and courage to do it. Joseph boldly approached Pilate, despite knowing it would offend the chief priests who had mocked Jesus. Perhaps he was initially afraid, but he took courage and was determined to show this last act of respect to Jesus, regardless of the consequences.
Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead (Mark 15:44), possibly expecting that he might have saved himself. Pilate questioned whether Jesus had been dead long enough to confirm it, and so he summoned the centurion for confirmation. The centurion assured him that Jesus was indeed dead, having witnessed how he gave up his spirit (Mark 15:39). God’s providence ensured that Pilate investigated thoroughly so that no one could later claim Jesus was buried alive, thus undermining the truth of the resurrection. Even Jesus’ enemies helped to confirm the truth of his death.
Pilate gave Joseph permission to take the body and do with it as he wished. Remarkably, the chief priests did not intervene to claim the body first and mock it publicly. God restrained their remaining wrath and gave the precious body to Joseph, who valued it deeply. The priests were willing for Jesus to be honored in death, as long as he did not rise again.
Joseph bought fine linen to wrap the body, though used linen would have sufficed. When we serve Christ, we should do so generously, giving him our best, not just what’s convenient or cheap.
He took the battered body and wrapped it in the linen like a treasure of great worth. Jesus has given himself to us in the Lord’s Supper, and we should receive it with love and reverence for the one who died for us.
Joseph laid the body in his own tomb, in a private place. In the history of the kings of Judah, being excluded from royal tombs was a dishonor. Jesus, though innocent and full of good works, was buried in a common grave, for his glory is not in this world but in the next. The tomb belonged to Joseph. Abraham, even without land ownership in Canaan, had a burial site, but Christ had not even that. The tomb was cut from rock, symbolizing that Christ died to make the grave a shelter for his people. As a tomb hewn from solid rock, it is a strong refuge. “Oh, that you would hide me in the grave!” (cf. Job 14:13). Christ himself is a hiding place for his people, like the shadow of a great rock.
Joseph rolled a stone against the entrance, as was the Jewish custom. When Daniel was cast into the lions’ den, a stone was placed over it to keep him in; here, a stone was placed over Christ’s tomb—but neither could keep out angelic visitors.
Some faithful women followed and saw where he was laid, intending to return after the Sabbath to anoint his body, as they lacked time to do so immediately. When Moses, the lawgiver of Israel, died, God ensured that no one knew his burial site (Deuteronomy 34:6), to keep the people from venerating his body. But Christ’s burial place was carefully noted, because he was to rise again. The care shown for his body speaks to the care he has for his body, the church. Even when the church seems lifeless, like a valley of dry bones, it will be preserved for resurrection. So will the dead bodies of the saints, for there is a covenant tied to their dust that God will not forget.
Our reflections on Christ’s burial should lead us to consider our own. They should make us more familiar with the grave and more at peace with it. Regular thoughts of death remove its terror and stir us to prepare for it, since “the graves are ready for me” (Job 17:1).