Joseph of Arimathea
A secret disciple who stepped into the open to bury Jesus in his own new tomb.
New Testament · 1st century · Matthew, Mark, Luke, John · Also known as Honourable counsellor
About Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph of Arimathea was "a rich man," "an honourable counsellor," "a good man, and a just," who "waited for the kingdom of God." He was a member of the council that condemned Jesus but "had not consented to the counsel and deed of them." John says he was a disciple of Jesus, "but secretly for fear of the Jews." After the crucifixion he "went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." With Nicodemus he wrapped the body in clean linen with spices and laid it in his own new tomb, cut in the rock, and rolled a great stone across the door.
Joseph has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. Burying an executed criminal quickly before the Sabbath, and asking the Roman governor for the body, would have drawn attention and risk. Christians have long noted Isaiah 53:9, "with the rich in his death."
The story
Secretly a disciple
Joseph was "an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God." Luke adds that he "had not consented to the counsel and deed of them." John says he was "a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews."
Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50-51; John 19:38
He went in boldly
As evening came before the Sabbath, Joseph "went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." Pilate, surprised Jesus was already dead, checked with the centurion, "And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph."
Mark 15:42-45
His own new tomb
With Nicodemus, Joseph wrapped the body in clean linen with spices, "And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched where he was laid.
Matthew 27:57-61; John 19:39-42
Key moments
- Waits for the kingdom: "An honourable counsellor." (Mark 15:43)
- Dissents from the council: "Had not consented." (Luke 23:51)
- Asks Pilate for the body: "Went in boldly." (Mark 15:43)
- Lays Jesus in his own tomb: Hewn out in the rock. (Matthew 27:60)
Questions about Joseph of Arimathea
Why was Joseph a secret disciple?
John says he was "a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews," meaning the religious authorities. As a member of the council, open loyalty to Jesus could have cost him his position. John notes elsewhere that "among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him." Joseph’s story is about stepping out of that fear.
Why was asking for the body brave?
Mark says he "went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." Jesus had just been executed by Rome as "King of the Jews," and the council Joseph belonged to had pressed for it. Asking for the body tied Joseph publicly to Jesus, before both the governor and his colleagues. Scripture records the boldness; it doesn’t describe what happened to Joseph afterwards.
Whose tomb was Jesus buried in?
Joseph’s own. Matthew says he "laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock." John adds it was in a garden near the place of crucifixion, "wherein was never man yet laid." Christians have long connected this with Isaiah’s words about the suffering servant: "with the rich in his death."
Connected people
- Jesus: Secret disciple
- Nicodemus: Buried Jesus together
- Pontius Pilate: Asked him for the body
- Mary Magdalene: Watched where Jesus was laid
Read it yourself
Start with Mark 15:42-47; John 19:38-42.