The Burial Of Jesus
THE BURIAL OF JESUS
JOHN 19:38-42
It’s hard to be unmoved by the death of Jesus: what difference does it make to us today?
While the fact of the burial of Jesus is mentioned as part of the apostolic preaching by Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3f.), it is referred to very little in the New Testament. As far as Paul is concerned it is probably only the link between death and resurrection which shows that both were real objective happenings. But John records a number of details about the burial which seem to have significance.
Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man and a member of the Sanhedrin, comes and asks Pilate to be allowed to take away the body of Jesus. No doubt due to his influential position he obtains permission. So he does what the Jews want, and avoids the defilement of the land. But he is also a secret disciple of Jesus, so that, despite his fear of the Jews, this is an act of courage and is done in order to honor Jesus. Nicodemus, who has not yet been described as a believer but who was at least an open-minded sympathizer (3:1; 7:50-52), joins with him. They take a huge quantity of spices and treat his body according to Jewish burial custom.
It is to a garden that they go with him, for it is here that the Second Adam must bring life where the first Adam has brought sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:21f.). It is a new tomb, perhaps prepared for the use of Joseph’s family and now given to Jesus as no other can be prepared in time. Here, free from corrupting influences, he is laid—the first to lie in the tomb and soon to be the first to rise from the dead to a new sphere of life (1 Corinthians 15:20). Despite the honor paid to Jesus by these two men, outwardly the victory belongs entirely to the Jews and to the forces of darkness. A dangerous pretender has been disposed of by the Romans, Barabbas has been freed and no one has even broken the Law!
Notes 19:39: the immense weight of spices seems to echo Psalm 45:8. 19:42: the NEB follows the Greek in making “Jesus” the last word of the chapter. “The future lies with him, and with the Father” (Fenton, ad loc.).