Page 8 - April 2026 - Truth & Tidings

n considering The Accomplishment of no longer! He stepped up when needed.
the Servant (Mar 15:16-16:8), we have Pilate’s Concern (15:44-45)
Ifocused on His Crucifixion (15:16-47). The Roman Governor was surprised to
The narrative moves from Gabbatha to hear Jesus was already dead. Crucifixion
Golgotha to the Grave. The Lord’s burial victims often held out for days so Pilate
confirms His death and sets the scene for wanted corroboration of death before
His resurrection (1Co 15:3-5). releasing His body. His skepticism has
Joseph’s Courage (15:42-43) granted us added verification. The centu-
Joseph of Arimathaea was a rich and rion in charge of His execution was called
respected member of the Sanhedrin who and, as an expert witness, confirmed Jesus’
never consented to their condemnation death.
of the Lord (Mat 27:57; Luk 23:50-51). He So Pilate “gave the body to Joseph”
was a secret disciple (Joh 19:38). (v45). Authority to bury the Lord’s body
On the evening of the crucifixion, was freely granted. This agreement to
“because it was the preparation, the day hand over the body of one condemned
before the sabbath,” Joseph “came, and for treason to a non-family member was
went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the highly irregular. “Only if Pilate had no
body of Jesus” (Mar 15:42-43). Roman reservations concerning Jesus’ innocence
1
law made no requirement for crucifixion … but had pronounced sentence begrudg-
victims to be buried, but Scripture de- ingly to placate the irate mob, would he
manded it (Deu 21:22-23). Aware of this, have granted the request of the council-
and unwilling to allow the Lord’s body lor” (William Lane).
to be profaned by being thrown into a Jesus’ Committal (15:46-47)
common grave with criminals, Joseph Joseph, possibly with the help of ser-
requested the body from Pilate. vants and certainly with Nicodemus’
Mark emphasises Joseph’s courage. assistance (Joh 19:39-42), honoured the
Requesting from Pilate the body of a man Lord in burial (v46). It is notable that Jo-
accused of treason could invite suspicion. seph requested a “body” (v43), and Pilate
Honouring the Lord, even in death, was delivered a “corpse” (the literal rendering
to go against the Sanhedrin who had for “body” in v45). But Joseph, with great
condemned Him (14:64). Handling a care and deep reverence, “took him down,
dead body would ceremonially defile and wrapped him in linen, and laid him in
Joseph for seven days and demand his a sepulchre” (emphasis added). Joseph
isolation throughout Passover week (Num valued the One he buried.
19:11-13). But Joseph’s action ensured the
fulfilment of prophecy: “They intended Gently they took him down;
to bury him with criminals, but he ended Unfixed His hands and feet;
up in a rich man’s tomb, because he had Took from His head the thorny crown;
committed no violent deeds, nor had he Brought forth a winding sheet.
spoken deceitfully” (Isa 53:9 NET). And so Fine linen, fitly made,
Joseph, once a secret disciple, was secret Wrapped they around His face;
Where never man before was laid
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
unless otherwise noted. Made they His resting-place.

104 TRUTH kTidings April 2026