Matthew 27:58
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The word "begged" is crucial here. Roman law often left executed criminals' bodies for scavenging, but Joseph's plea highlights that Jesus' burial wasn't a matter of course; it required specific authorization, revealing the profound gravity of the situation and Joseph's courageous act.
This verse comes right after Jesus has died on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected man who was secretly a follower of Jesus, bravely goes to Pilate, the Roman governor, to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate, after confirming Jesus was truly dead, grants Joseph's request, allowing him to take the body for burial instead of it being disposed of as a criminal's.
Why did Joseph have to go to Pilate, the Roman governor, to get Jesus' body? It wasn't just a formality.
Roman Law and Execution
Under Roman law, the bodies of executed criminals were not typically released to family for burial. They were often left on the cross to be scavenged by animals or disposed of in mass graves for criminals.
Joseph's Bold Request
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Jewish council member, had to approach Pilate because Pilate held the ultimate authority over the condemned. It was a significant act of courage for Joseph to petition the man who had ordered Jesus' crucifixion. By asking Pilate, Joseph was essentially seeking official permission to bypass the standard, shameful disposal of executed individuals and arrange a proper burial. This highlights the power structure and the risks involved for anyone associated with Jesus.
Jesus' burial wasn't just a final act of respect; it was a deliberate move by God to fulfill prophecy and set the stage for resurrection.
Honoring the Lord
Joseph's request for Jesus' body wasn't just about avoiding the shame of a criminal's grave. It was an act of honor and love from a secret disciple, done right before the Sabbath. He wrapped Jesus in a clean linen cloth and placed him in his own new tomb – a place of dignity, not a mass grave.
Prophecy Fulfilled
This burial, arranged by a rich man, was not accidental. It directly fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy: 'He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but with the rich man at his death...' (Isaiah 53:9). God orchestrated these events, using Joseph's courage and resources to ensure Jesus received a burial befitting the Son of God, a crucial step in the plan of salvation.
A New Beginning
The new tomb itself is symbolic. It signifies a fresh start, a new life that would emerge from the place where no one had ever been laid. This wasn't just an ending; it was the quiet prelude to the greatest event in history – the resurrection.
Understand the original words
sōma · Greek Noun
A physical remains of a person after death; in theology, often contrasted with the spirit or soul, but also viewed as part of the human person created by God, destined for future resurrection in the context of Christ's work.
Under Roman law, the bodies of executed criminals typically remained on the cross to decompose or were disposed of ignominiously. Joseph's bold request to Pilate and Pilate's subsequent permission highlight the unique circumstances of Jesus' death and burial, overriding standard procedure due to Joseph's status and perhaps Pilate's own subtle acknowledgement of Jesus' innocence.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified by Roman authorities under the governorship of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem.
Immediately after crucifixion, c. 30 AD
Joseph of Arimathea requests the body
Joseph, a wealthy and respected member of the Jewish council and a secret disciple, boldly approaches Pilate to ask for Jesus' body.
Immediately after request, c. 30 AD
Pilate verifies Jesus' death
Pilate, after confirming with the centurion that Jesus is indeed dead, grants Joseph's request to release the body.
Late afternoon, c. 30 AD
Jesus' burial
Joseph wraps Jesus' body in a clean linen cloth and places it in his own new tomb, a rock-cut sepulcher, sealing the entrance with a large stone.
This prophecy foretells that the suffering Servant would be 'assigned a tomb with the wicked, but with the rich at his death.' Matthew 27:58 shows the fulfillment of the latter part of this prophecy, as Joseph, a rich man, took Jesus' body for burial.
Mark 15:43Mark's Gospel records Joseph of Arimathea 'boldly entering' Pilate's presence to ask for Jesus' body, highlighting the courage it took to defy the prevailing political and religious climate. This complements Matthew's account of Joseph's action by emphasizing his bravery.
Luke 23:50-51Luke identifies Joseph as a 'good and righteous man' who 'had not consented to their decision and deed,' providing important character context for his actions. This helps us understand Joseph's motivation and standing among the Jewish council.
John 19:38-40John's Gospel includes Nicodemus as Joseph's accomplice in obtaining and preparing Jesus' body, adding detail to the narrative. This shows that Joseph was not alone in his commitment and that others, though perhaps less publicly, shared his desire to honor Jesus.
Philippians 2:7-8This passage speaks of Jesus 'emptying himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men' and humbling himself to death on a cross. Joseph's act of respectfully taking Jesus' body after his death underscores the profound humility of Christ's sacrifice.
barnesMatthew 27:58: "He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered."
He went to Pilate - Because no one had a right to remove the body but by authority of the magistrate. Jesus was condemned to be crucified, usually a long and most bitter death, and in common cases it would have been unlawful to have removed the body so soon.
gillMatthew 27:58: "He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered."
He went to Pilate,.... To his house where he lived, and went in, as Mark says, Mark 15:43 , boldly; not being ashamed of Christ crucified, or afraid to own him, and show his respect to him as dead, though he knew he should incur the displeasure, reproach, and persecution of the Jews: and begged the body of Jesus; which could not be taken down and interred, without the leave of the R…
The word "begged" is crucial here. Roman law often left executed criminals' bodies for scavenging, but Joseph's plea highlights that Jesus' burial wasn't a matter of course; it required specific authorization, revealing the profound gravity of the situation and Joseph's courageous act.
This verse comes right after Jesus has died on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected man who was secretly a follower of Jesus, bravely goes to Pilate, the Roman governor, to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate, after confirming Jesus was truly dead, grants Joseph's request, allowing him to take the body for burial instead of it being disposed of as a criminal's.
This verse comes right after Jesus has died on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected man who was secretly a follower of Jesus, bravely goes to Pilate, the Roman governor, to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate, after confirming Jesus was truly dead, grants Joseph's request, allowing him to take the body for burial instead of it being disposed of as a criminal's.
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Before sunset, c. 30 AD
Sabbath observance begins
The Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset. The burial must be completed before this time, as no work is permitted on the Sabbath.
"He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him." — The word "begged" is crucial here. Roman law often left executed criminals' bodies for scavenging, but Joseph's plea highlights that Jesus' burial wasn't a matter of course; it required specific auth…
