50There was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and righteous man — [23:51] he had not consented to their plan and action — from Arimathea, a Jewish town, who was awaiting the kingdom of God. [23:52] This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. [23:53] Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen cloth and laid it in a rock-cut tomb where no one had yet been laid. [23:54] It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was dawning. [23:55] The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and observed the tomb and how his body was laid. [23:56] Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
LUK 23:50-56
The Burial of Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In first-century Judea, burial practices were deeply tied to Jewish purity laws and social honor. Joseph of Arimathea, identified as a (council member), held significant status in the community, likely part of the Sanhedrin. His request for Jesus’ body from Pilate was a bold act, as Roman authorities often left crucified criminals unburied to maximize shame. By wrapping Jesus in a (fine linen cloth) and placing him in a rock-cut tomb, Joseph demonstrated both respect and adherence to Jewish burial customs, which required prompt interment before the Sabbath. The mention of the Preparation Day and the dawning Sabbath underscores the urgency and ritual precision of the act. The women who followed, likely family or disciples, observed these events, preparing to return after the Sabbath to complete the burial rites with spices, as was customary. This scene reflects the tension between Jewish piety and Roman authority, as well as the honor-shame dynamics of burial in a culture where proper interment was a sacred duty.
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How other translations render this
LUK 23:50
- KJV
- And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
- BSB
- Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,
- Koinōnos
- There was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and righteous man —
LUK 23:51
- KJV
- (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
- BSB
- who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea and was waiting for the kingdom of God.
- Koinōnos
- he had not consented to their plan and action — from Arimathea, a Jewish town, who was awaiting the kingdom of God.
LUK 23:52
- KJV
- This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
- BSB
- He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
LUK 23:53
- KJV
- And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
- BSB
- Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid.
- Koinōnos
- Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen cloth and laid it in a rock-cut tomb where no one had yet been laid.
LUK 23:54
- KJV
- And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
- BSB
- It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.
- Koinōnos
- It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was dawning.
LUK 23:55
- KJV
- And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
- BSB
- The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed.
- Koinōnos
- The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and observed the tomb and how his body was laid.
LUK 23:56
- KJV
- And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
- BSB
- Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.
- Koinōnos
- Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 23:50
- a Council member:The term translated 'a Council member' refers to a senator or a member of a city council, indicating a person of significant social standing and political influence in the community.
LUK 23:51
- having consented:The phrase 'having consented' implies not just agreement, but an active participation in a decision or a shared opinion, often in a formal or deliberative context.
LUK 23:53
- it:The word translated 'it' (referring to the cloth) specifically denotes a fine linen cloth, often used for wrapping bodies or for other significant purposes, highlighting its quality and expense.
LUK 23:54
- was just beginning.:The phrase 'was just beginning' captures the sense of the day breaking or dawning, specifically referring to the transition from night to the first light of morning.