JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA

(A Arimathaias; for etymology, etc., of Joseph, see general article on JOSEPH): Joseph of Arimathea-a place the locality of which is doubtful, but lying probably to the Northwest of Jerusalem-was a "rich man" (Matthew 27:57), "a councilor of honorable estate," or member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43 Luke 23:50), "a good and righteous man.... who was looking for the kingdom of God" (Luke 23:50 Mark 15:43), and "himself was Jesus' disciple" (Matthew 27:57 John 19:38). Although he kept his discipleship secret "for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38), he was yet faithful to his allegiance in that he absented himself from the meeting which found Jesus guilty of death (compare Luke 23:51 Mark 14:64). But the condemnation of his Lord awakened the courage and revealed the true faith of Joseph. On the evening after the crucifixion he went "boldly" to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. There is a fine touch in that he himself took down the body from the cross. With the assistance of Nicodemus he wound it in fine linen with spices (compare Matthew 27:57, Joseph was a "rich man") and brought it to the new sepulcher in the garden near the place of His crucifixion. There they "laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain" and `rolled a stone against the door of the tomb' (compare Matthew 27:57-60 Mark 15:42-46 Luke 23:50-53 John 19:38-42). In this was held to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9.

The Gospel of Peter, written probably in Syria about the middle of the 2nd century, gives a slightly different account. According to this Joseph, "the friend of Pilate and the Lord," was present at the trial of Jesus, and immediately upon its conclusion besought of Pilate that he might have the body for burial. This was granted, and after the crucifixion the Jews handed the body over to Joseph (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 27-30). Legends of a later origin record that Joseph was sent by Philip from Gaul to Britain along with 11 other disciples in 63 A.D., and built an oratory at Glastonbury (compare PHILIP, the Apostle), that he brought the Holy Grail to England, and that he freed Ireland from snakes.

C. M. Kerr

In Joseph's Tomb
... In this emergency, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus came to the help of
the disciples. Both these men were members of the Sanhedrin ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm

J. The Death and Burial. Ch. 23:44-56
... The body of Jesus was given burial by Joseph of Arimathaea, a man whom Matthew
designates as rich, Mark as a "councillor of honorable estate," and Luke as ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/j the death and burial.htm

Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies
... Because it was now evening of the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea,
an honorable member of the Jewish national council, who was himself looking for ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is crucified by his.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day
before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

No Ballot-Box.
... There are sadly too many, who are like Joseph of Arimathaea, disciples, but secretly
for fear. WE WANT NO SECRET VOTES. Say right out which side you are for. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxix no ballot-box.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus were not now to be summoned, but there
were others who might dare to speak in favor of justice. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

The Minne-Songs
... or as it is always called in this poem, "the Holy Grail." The Holy Grail was said
to be a vessel of pure emerald, belonging to Joseph of Arimathaea, from which ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the minne-songs.htm

The Crucifixion.
... that is, the day before the sabbath, ^c behold, ^a there came a rich man from
Arimathaea, ^ca city of the Jews, ^a named Joseph, ^b of Arimathaea, ^c who was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 4.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... her faith and love. Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus offered not their
gift of love to Jesus in His life. With bitter tears they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

A Believer's Privilege at Death
... Death does to a believer, as Joseph of Arimathaea did to Christ, it takes
him down from the cross, and gives him a writ of ease. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 a believers privilege at.htm