Joseph

LeaderDisciple

A man from Arimathea who was a member of the Jewish council of the Sanhedrin. He buried Jesus.

About Joseph

8. Native of Arimathea and the follower of Jesus who provided for his burial. He was a rich man from the town of Arimathea and a respected member of the Sanhedrin, or council (Mk 15:43). He was a good and righteous man and did not go along with the decision to crucify Jesus (Lk 23:50–51). Joseph had been a secret follower of Jesus because he was afraid of the Jews (Jn 19:38), but after the Crucifixion he took courage and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. He and Nicodemus took the body, treated it with spices, and wrapped it in linen cloths, according to the Jewish burial customs. In a nearby garden was Joseph’s own new rock-cut tomb in which no one had ever been buried. Here they placed Jesus and sealed the tomb with a large stone.

Read full article

Key References

Matthew 27:57

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.

Mark 15:43

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Luke 23:50

Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,

John 19:38

Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.

John 19:39

Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

All Scripture References (6)

Matthew (2)
Matthew 27:57

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.

Matthew 27:59

So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Mark (2)
Mark 15:43

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Mark 15:45

When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Luke (1)
Luke 23:50

Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,

John (1)
John 19:38

Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.