Question 1

Who was Joseph of Arimathea and why did he ask for Jesus’ body?

Accepted Answer

Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man and a respected council member who had believed in Jesus but kept it quiet because he was afraid of the other Jewish leaders. After Jesus died, Joseph went to the Roman governor, Pilate, and asked for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the cross. This was a brave move, because it made his connection to Jesus public and could bring trouble on him. He did it out of love and respect for Jesus and to make sure Jesus received a careful, honorable burial rather than being left to the soldiers.

Question 2

Why is it important that Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial?

Accepted Answer

Nicodemus first came to Jesus at night, afraid to be seen with Him. Here he steps into the light, bringing a huge amount of myrrh and aloes, which were costly spices. These were used to wrap with the linen cloths, following Jewish burial customs, to honor the dead and give a sweet smell. This shows deep respect and love for Jesus. It also shows how Nicodemus has grown in courage. The generous use of spices points to the dignity of Jesus’ burial and hints that His death, though shameful in the world’s eyes, is precious and full of meaning before God.

Question 3

What is the meaning of Jesus being laid in a new tomb where no one had been laid?

Accepted Answer

The text says Jesus was placed in a new tomb in a garden, a tomb where no one had ever been laid. On a practical level, this tomb was nearby, so they could bury Him quickly before the Sabbath started. But there is more going on. Being in a new tomb sets His burial apart from any other death. When He later rises, no one can say it was someone else’s body or a mix-up. It underlines that His resurrection is His alone. It also fits His role as the first to rise in a new way, marked out by God even in the place where He was buried.

Question 4

Why were Joseph and Nicodemus once secret disciples, and what changed here?

Accepted Answer

Both Joseph and Nicodemus had believed in Jesus but kept quiet because they feared the reaction of the Jewish leaders and valued their positions. Earlier, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to avoid being seen. In this scene, something has clearly changed. After Jesus’ death, they risk their reputation and safety by publicly caring for His body. The passage shows that God’s work in their hearts has grown. The same men who once hid now find courage to honor Jesus openly. It suggests that seeing His death had a powerful effect on them, waking them up to what truly matters.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about how God cares for Jesus’ body in death?

Accepted Answer

From a human view, Jesus died in shame on a cross. Yet this passage shows that God did not leave His body to be treated with contempt. Instead, two respected men are moved to give Him an honorable burial, using fine linen, spices, and a clean, unused tomb. Even the small details, like the garden setting and the nearby tomb, fit together under God’s plan. This teaches that God watches over His Son even in death and that the cross, though ugly to the world, leads into honor and hope. It prepares the way for the resurrection to be seen clearly.

Question 6

Why does the passage mention the Jews’ preparation day as a reason for the nearby tomb?

Accepted Answer

The preparation day was the day before the Sabbath, when people got things ready and work had to stop before sunset. Because of this, Joseph and Nicodemus could not take a long time to find or dig a grave. They needed a place close to the crucifixion site. The garden tomb nearby solved this problem. From their side, it was about timing and keeping the Sabbath. At the same time, this convenience served God’s purpose, placing Jesus in a clearly known, easy-to-find tomb. That helped make the later empty tomb and resurrection easier to confirm and harder to deny.

Question 7

How do Joseph and Nicodemus give us an example for our own faith today?

Accepted Answer

Joseph and Nicodemus show what it looks like when quiet, hesitant faith becomes bold. For a long time they followed Jesus in secret, holding back because of fear and love of status. When Jesus dies, they finally step forward, risk their standing, and publicly honor Him. Their actions challenge anyone who prefers comfort and safety over being known as a follower of Christ. While our situation may be different, their story encourages us not to hide our faith but to honor Jesus openly, even when it costs us something in reputation, relationships, or opportunities.

Question 8

What does this passage suggest about Jesus’ death and resurrection hope?

Accepted Answer

This passage focuses on Jesus’ burial, but it quietly points ahead to resurrection. The careful wrapping in linen, the spices, the new unused tomb, and the clear location in a garden all show that the burial is not random. God is setting the stage so that when the tomb is later found empty, the witnesses can be sure it was Jesus who rose. Also, the honor given to His body after the shame of the cross hints that death does not have the last word over Him. His burial, handled with dignity and care, becomes part of the sign that His death leads to life.

John 19:38

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.

The Burial of Jesus

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John 19:38

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.

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The Burial of Jesus

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