Jesus is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb
December 13, 2022
Commentary
When Jesus died, 3 miracles took place simultaneously: (1) the veil in the temple was torn (v. 51) indicating that Jesus conquered sin. (2) the earth shook, and many graves were opened, allowing (3) many saints to rise from the dead (vv. 52-53) proving that Jesus had conquered death. The Roman soldiers said, “Truly this was the Son of God” (v. 54) and many of the women watched from a distance (vv. 55-56).
If it hadn’t of been for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38) Jesus might not have had a decent burial (vv. 57-61). Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin but had not agreed with their decision to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:51). Since Joseph was a rich man, he had prepared the tomb which was cut out of the rock near the place of the crucifixion. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen with a mixture of myrrh and spices used for burial. This was done rapidly to be completed before the Sabbath began at nightfall. According to the text only the two Marys watched the burial and no disciples were present.
The high priests and some Pharisees remembered that Jesus had talked about rising again in three days. The enemies of Jesus often understood Him better than His friends and followers did. The disciples did not grasp until sometime after the Resurrection that Jesus would rise from the dead (John 20:9). Even though the Pharisees did not believe Jesus would rise, they were afraid the disciples might take His body and spread stories that He had resurrected. They asked Pilate to be sure to seal the tomb and station soldiers there to prevent any “deception” (vv. 62-66).
Application
What risks do you think Joseph had to take in asking for the body of Jesus? What risks are necessary if I am going to identify myself with Christ today? Am I willing to take the risk?
Matthew 27:51–66 (NET)
51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) 54 Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, “Truly this one was God’s Son!” 55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and given him support were also there, watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57 Now when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut in the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 (Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there, opposite the tomb.)
62 The next day (which is after the day of preparation) the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders to secure the tomb until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal his body and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “Take a guard of soldiers. Go and make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the soldiers of the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.