Matthew 27:57-58

Jesus’ Burial

27:57 Now ¹  when it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. ²  27:58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ³  Then Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

[27:57]  ¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[27:57]  ² sn Though some dispute that Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus, his actions regarding Jesus’ burial suggest otherwise.

[27:58]  ³ sn Asking for the body of Jesus was indeed a bold move on the part of Joseph of Arimathea, for it clearly and openly identified him with a man who had just been condemned and executed, namely, Jesus. His faith is exemplary, especially for someone who was a member of the council that handed Jesus over for crucifixion (cf. Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51). He did this because he sought to give Jesus an honorable burial.