57When evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. [27:58] He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given over. [27:59] And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth [27:60] and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. [27:61] Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
MAT 27:57-61
The Burial of Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Judea, burial practices were deeply tied to Jewish purity laws and social status. A corpse was considered a source of ritual impurity, and proper burial was both a religious obligation and a mark of honor. Joseph of Arimathea, described as a rich man, would have been a figure of significant social standing, likely a member of the Sanhedrin or a local elite. His request for Jesus’ body from Pilate reflects the Roman practice of allowing families or patrons to claim bodies for burial, though crucifixion victims were often left exposed as a deterrent. Joseph’s use of a clean linen cloth indicates a costly and honorable burial, aligning with Jewish customs of wrapping the dead in fine cloth. The new tomb, hewn from rock, underscores Joseph’s wealth and respect for Jesus, as tombs were expensive and often family-owned. Rolling a large stone to seal the tomb was a common practice to protect the body from scavengers and desecration. The presence of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary reflects the Jewish custom of women mourning at burial sites.
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How other translations render this
MAT 27:57
- KJV
- When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
- BSB
- When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- When evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
MAT 27:58
- KJV
- He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
- BSB
- He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
- Koinōnos
- He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given over.
MAT 27:59
- KJV
- And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
- BSB
- So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
- Koinōnos
- And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth
MAT 27:60
- KJV
- And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
- BSB
- and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
- Koinōnos
- and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.
MAT 27:61
- KJV
- And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
- BSB
- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
- Koinōnos
- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 27:57
- was discipled:The word translated 'was discipled' indicates someone who became a learner or pupil, committing to follow the teachings and way of life of a master.
MAT 27:58
- body:The term used here for 'body' specifically refers to a dead body or corpse, not a living body.
MAT 27:59
- in:The word translated 'in' refers to a fine linen cloth, often used for wrapping bodies, including mummies, or as bandages.
MAT 27:60
- tomb:The word translated 'tomb' literally means a memorial or a place of remembrance, often a monument or sepulchre, emphasizing its function as a lasting record.