Jesus’ Burial

Jesus’ Burial

Q: Where was Jesus buried?

• a. in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea
• b. in the garden of Gethsemane
• c. near Judas Iscariot

A lot of people were present at Jesus’ crucifixion. There were his disciples, the women who followed him in his ministry, his enemies, curious bystanders, and men who followed Jesus in secret.

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and important member of the Sanhedrin—the Jewish council—was a secret follower of Jesus. After Jesus died, Joseph came forward and asked for Jesus’ body in order to bury it. Nicodemus, who’d talked to Jesus in secret by night, was with Joseph.

Joseph owned a tomb cut into a hillside in the area. Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body, placed it in the tomb, and rolled a heavy stone across the entrance. The religious leaders watched to see where Jesus was buried. They sealed the stone and placed guards nearby so no one could steal Jesus’ body and then claim he’d risen from the dead.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both secret followers of Jesus because of their important positions in the Jewish community, yet when the time came, they stepped forward and claimed Jesus’ body. They knew this could jeopardize their standing in the Jewish council, but they knew it was time to come out of hiding and let others know they were followers of Jesus.

For You

Do you hide your faith from those around you like Joseph and Nicodemus did? Or do you let your light shine for Jesus? If you hide your faith, is it time for you to step out and take a stand?

Answer: a

Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus . . . took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.   Matthew 27:57, 59-60

(The Whole Story: Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)