THE BURIAL OF JESUS

Passage: Mark 15:42-47

Key verse: 43

NIV

The Burial of Jesus(A)

42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath).(B) So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council,(C) who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God,(D) went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion(E) that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.(F) 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph(G) saw where he was laid.

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ESV

Jesus Is Buried

42 (A)And when evening had come, since it was (B)the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, (C)a respected member of the council, who (D)was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.[a] And summoning (E)the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from (F)the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph[b] bought (G)a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and (H)laid him in a tomb (I)that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled (J)a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 (K)Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

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Footnotes
  1. Mark 15:44 Or Pilate wondered whether he had already died
  2. Mark 15:46 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Joseph of Arimathea (42-43a)

Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin. He was a wealthy man, but he was not satisfied with the things of the world. He put his hope in the kingdom of God. He believed in Jesus, but had never had the courage to take a stand for Jesus before his peers.

2. Joseph's decision (43b-45)

Evening came, and Jesus was still hanging on the cross; Joseph made a bold decision. He asked Pilate for Jesus' body. This was a declaration of his commitment to Jesus. He was no longer a hidden believer.

3. Jesus' burial (46-47)

Usually, more time was required for a crucified man to die, so Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was dead. He checked it out carefully, then gave Joseph permission to take the body. The fact of Jesus' death was established.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have clear identity as a Christian.

One Word: A secret believer goes public