42And when evening had already come — since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath — [15:43] Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent council member who was himself also waiting for the kingdom of God, and having taken courage, he went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. [15:44] And Pilate was surprised that he had already died, and summoning the centurion, he asked whether he had been dead for some time. [15:45] And having learned from the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph. [15:46] And having bought a fine linen cloth and taken him down, he wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. [15:47] And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.
MRK 15:42-47
The Burial of Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish context, burial practices were deeply tied to honor, purity, and communal responsibility. Crucifixion victims were typically denied honorable burial, their bodies left exposed or discarded in disgrace. Joseph of Arimathea’s request for Jesus’ body was a bold act, given the political risks of associating with a crucified criminal. As a Council member, Joseph’s status and respectability would have been recognized, but his actions defied the Sanhedrin’s stance on Jesus. The use of a fine linen cloth for burial reflected both honor and care, aligning with Jewish customs of treating the dead with dignity. Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ swift death underscores the brutality of crucifixion, which often prolonged suffering. Joseph’s burial of Jesus in a rock-cut tomb, a privilege typically reserved for the wealthy, further highlights his commitment to honoring Jesus despite the societal and political costs.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 15:42
- KJV
- And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
- BSB
- Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath),
- Koinōnos
- And when evening had already come — since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath —
MRK 15:43
- KJV
- Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
- BSB
- Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
- Koinōnos
- Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent council member who was himself also waiting for the kingdom of God, and having taken courage, he went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
MRK 15:44
- KJV
- And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
- BSB
- Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so.
- Koinōnos
- And Pilate was surprised that he had already died, and summoning the centurion, he asked whether he had been dead for some time.
MRK 15:45
- KJV
- And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
- BSB
- When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
- Koinōnos
- And having learned from the centurion, he granted the corpse to Joseph.
MRK 15:46
- KJV
- And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
- BSB
- So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in the cloth, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
- Koinōnos
- And having bought a fine linen cloth and taken him down, he wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of rock. And he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
MRK 15:47
- KJV
- And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
- BSB
- Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was placed.
- Koinōnos
- And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him”
Cited to ground: Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ swift death underscores the brutality of crucifixion, which often prolonged suffering.
Translator's notes
MRK 15:43
- a prominent:The word translated 'a prominent' described someone of high social standing, wealth, and influence, often implying respectability and good reputation within the community.
- having boldness:The phrase translated 'having boldness' suggests a courageous and daring act, often involving risk or defiance of social norms, rather than simple confidence.
MRK 15:45
- body:The word translated 'body' specifically refers to a corpse or a fallen body, emphasizing that it is no longer living.
MRK 15:46
- a linen cloth,:The term 'a linen cloth' refers to a fine, expensive linen fabric, often used for burial shrouds or luxurious garments, indicating its quality and cost.