Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nicodemus's extravagant gift, a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds, powerfully contrasts with his first visit to Jesus under the cover of night. This immense quantity of fragrant spices, meant for embalming, signifies not just profound respect, but a dramatic shift from hesitant secrecy to bold, public devotion in the face of Jesus's death.
Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus' body was taken down from the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, boldly asked Pilate for permission to bury Him. This act of courage seemed to inspire Nicodemus, another secret follower and a prominent Jewish leader, who now publicly joined Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial with an immense quantity of expensive spices. This lavish, aromatic preparation signifies their profound love and remorse for having followed Jesus only in secret until His death.
Remember Nicodemus? He was the guy who snuck around at night to talk to Jesus. But look at him now. What changed?
Nicodemus’s story is a powerful arc of transformation. He began his discipleship in the shadows, coming to Jesus 'by night' (John 3:1-2). This secrecy stemmed from his fear of the Jewish leaders, as he was a Pharisee and a ruler.
But here, at the foot of the cross, Nicodemus steps out of the darkness. His act of bringing a massive quantity of expensive spices for Jesus' burial is a public declaration. It shows that the fear that once gripped him has been overcome by a love and devotion that is now willing to face any consequence. It’s a beautiful picture of how faith, once ignited, can grow into courageous action.
Seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes – that's a LOT! Why such an extravagant display for Jesus' burial?
The sheer quantity of spices Nicodemus brought – about seventy-five pounds – is astounding. This wasn't just a casual gesture; it was a lavish, costly act.
Think about it: Myrrh and aloes were incredibly expensive aromatic substances used for preserving bodies and for making powerful perfumes. This huge amount points to several things:
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Understand the original words
smyrna · Greek Noun
A fragrant resinous substance used in antiquity for perfumery, embalming, and medicine. It signifies honor and respect, particularly in the context of preparing a body for burial.
aloē · Greek Noun
A bitter, aromatic plant extract used in antiquity, often in combination with other spices, for burial preparation and medicinal purposes. It reflects the costly care given to honor the deceased.
Nicodemus's costly gift of spices marks a dramatic shift from his fearful, nighttime visit to Jesus, demonstrating how profound love and reverence can overcome past timidity, especially in the face of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
c. 30 BC
Jesus' early ministry and Nicodemus' visit
Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, secretly visits Jesus at night, intrigued by his teachings and miracles. This initial encounter highlights his cautious, perhaps fearful, approach to Jesus.
AD 30/33
Crucifixion and Sabbath preparation
Jesus is crucified on the eve of a significant Sabbath day, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jewish law required bodies to be removed before sunset, prompting Joseph of Arimathea to seek Pilate's permission to bury Jesus quickly.
AD 30/33
Joseph of Arimathea claims Jesus' body
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, bravely asks Pilate for Jesus' body. He then takes the body down from the cross, a bold public act that contrasts with his previous secrecy.
AD 30/33— this verse
Nicodemus brings spices for burial
Inspired by Joseph's actions or perhaps acting on a prior arrangement, Nicodemus arrives with a large quantity of myrrh and aloes, substances used in embalming to preserve the body and provide a fragrant aroma.
AD 30/33
Jesus is laid in a new tomb
Joseph and Nicodemus wrap Jesus' body with the spices and place him in Joseph's own new tomb, ensuring he is buried with honor, fulfilling prophecy.
AD 33 (approx. 40 days later)
Pentecost and public proclamation
Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples at Pentecost, leading to bold public witness and the growth of the early church.
This passage highlights Nicodemus's initial secretive approach to Jesus, contrasting sharply with his public act of devotion in John 19:39, showing a significant transformation in his courage and commitment.
Psalm 45:8This Messianic psalm mentions myrrh and aloes adorning the robes of the royal Bridegroom, poetically linking these fragrant spices to the Kingly Messiah, which resonates with their use in Jesus' royal burial.
2 Chronicles 16:14This Old Testament account describes King Asa's burial with a bed filled with sweet odors and diverse kinds of spices, providing a precedent for the lavish use of aromatic substances in honoring deceased royalty, much like Nicodemus did for Jesus.
Matthew 2:11The wise men brought myrrh as a gift to the infant Jesus, foreshadowing its use in His burial, and showing a consistent theme of precious aromatics being associated with Jesus throughout His life and death.
Isaiah 53:9This prophecy foretells that the Suffering Servant would be assigned a rich man's tomb, which is fulfilled by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus providing a new tomb for Jesus, underscoring the divine plan even in His death and burial.
vincentJohn 19:39: "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight."
Came Nicodemus - came by nightThe contrast is marked between his first and his second coming.Mixture (μίγμα)Only here in the New Testament. Some authorities read ἕλιγμα, a roll.PoundsRoman pounds, of nearly twelve ounces. The large quantity may be explained by the intention of covering the entire body with the preparation, and by the…
henryJohn 19:38-42: "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."
19:38-42 Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Christ in secret. Disciples should openly own themselves; yet some, who in lesser trials have been fearful, in greater have been courageous. When God has work to do, he can find out such as are proper to…
Nicodemus's extravagant gift, a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds, powerfully contrasts with his first visit to Jesus under the cover of night. This immense quantity of fragrant spices, meant for embalming, signifies not just profound respect, but a dramatic shift from hesitant secrecy to bold, public devotion in the face of Jesus's death.
After Jesus' body was taken down from the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, boldly asked Pilate for permission to bury Him. This act of courage seemed to inspire Nicodemus, another secret follower and a prominent Jewish leader, who now publicly joined Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial with an immense quantity of expensive spices. This lavish, aromatic preparation signifies their profound love and remorse for having followed Jesus only in secret until His death.
After Jesus' body was taken down from the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, boldly asked Pilate for permission to bury Him. This act of courage seemed to inspire Nicodemus, another secret follower and a prominent Jewish leader, who now publicly joined Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial with an immense quantity of expensive spices. This lavish, aromatic preparation signifies their profound love and remorse for having followed Jesus only in secret until His death.
"Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight." — Nicodemus's extravagant gift, a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds, powerfully contrasts with his first visit to Jesus under the cover of night. This immense quantity of fr…
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Last reviewed October 2026