Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible: Burial of Jesus in John 19
Quick Summary
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, steps forward in John 19 to provide for Jesus’ burial. His quiet courage shows how discipleship sometimes means acting faithfully when hope seems lost.
Introduction
The crucifixion seemed like the end. The disciples had scattered, the crowds had jeered, and Jesus had breathed his last. Yet in John’s Gospel, two unexpected figures step into the story: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They are not part of the inner circle. They had followed Jesus from a distance, quietly, cautiously. But when the hour is darkest, they come forward to honor him in death.
Joseph of Arimathea is remembered for this moment. He provides the tomb, requests the body, and ensures that Jesus is buried with dignity. In doing so, he reveals a form of discipleship marked not by words but by costly action. His role may seem small, but it carries great weight: the story of resurrection begins with faithful burial. In this post, we’ll explore Joseph’s place in John 19, his historical background, the theological significance of his act, and what his story means for discipleship today.
Historical Background of Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph of Arimathea appears in all four Gospels, though John gives him unique emphasis. He is described as a wealthy man (Matthew 27:57), a respected member of the council (Mark 15:43), and a good and righteous man who had not consented to their decision (Luke 23:50–51). John adds that he was a secret disciple of Jesus, afraid of the authorities (John 19:38).
Arimathea was a town in Judea, though its exact location is uncertain. Joseph’s status as a member of the Sanhedrin meant he had influence with Pilate, enabling him to request Jesus’ body. In Jewish tradition, proper burial was an act of righteousness. To bury someone—even a criminal—was considered an act of mercy. For Joseph, this act went beyond obligation. It was a costly declaration of loyalty to Jesus at the moment when others had fled.
Theological Significance
Theologically, Joseph’s act fulfills Scripture and underscores John’s themes of courage, secrecy, and revelation. As a secret disciple, Joseph had remained in the shadows, but at the cross he steps into the light. His request for Jesus’ body is risky—aligning himself with an executed criminal could have cost him his reputation or even his life. Yet love overcomes fear. He lives into his integrity and faith.
Alongside Nicodemus, Joseph prepares Jesus’ body with spices and linen, echoing royal burial customs. John notes that they used seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes (19:39), an extravagant amount.
How extravagant? Around $200,000. A burial fit for a king.
John tells us that Joseph and Nicodemus brought about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes for Jesus’ burial (John 19:39). That number is easy to skip over, but it signals breathtaking extravagance. In the ancient world, both myrrh and aloes were luxury goods, sometimes valued as highly as gold by weight.
To put it in today’s terms, raw myrrh resin sells for about $200–$300 a pound, while quality aloeswood can range from $1,000 to over $5,000 a pound. Even at the most conservative estimate—75 pounds × $300—the cost would be around $22,500. At the higher end—75 pounds × $1,000—the figure soars to $75,000, and with premium grades it could easily top $200,000.
In other words, Jesus was given the burial of a king. What Mary of Bethany anticipated when she poured out costly perfume in John 12 is here echoed on an even grander scale: Jesus is honored in death as he was in life, with a gift that spared no expense. (Pline the Elder, Natural History 12.32 myrrh and frankincense
This recalls Mary of Bethany’s anointing in John 12, showing that Jesus is honored in death as in life. His burial is not the end but the threshold to resurrection.
Joseph’s role also affirms that discipleship takes many forms. Some follow publicly, others secretly. Some proclaim loudly, others act quietly. But all are called, in their own way, to honor Christ.
Literary Features
John’s narrative places Joseph of Arimathea at a key moment. After the piercing of Jesus’ side and the testimony that “these things are written so that you may believe” (19:35), Joseph appears. His presence marks a transition from death to burial, from suffering to rest.
The pairing of Joseph with Nicodemus is also significant. Nicodemus first came to Jesus by night (3:2). Now he emerges in daylight to help bury him. Both men move from secrecy to action. Their courage in this moment contrasts with the absence of other disciples, emphasizing that faith sometimes emerges in unexpected places.
The details of burial—linen cloths, spices, a new tomb in a garden—also carry symbolic weight. In a garden humanity first fell, and now in a garden Jesus is laid to rest, preparing for new creation in resurrection.
Implications for Understanding the Gospel of John
Joseph of Arimathea’s act of burial highlights John’s theme of costly discipleship. To align with Jesus in death required courage. His story shows that faith can take time to mature. Some, like Peter and John, follow openly from the start. Others, like Joseph, grow slowly and step forward at a crucial hour.
John also uses Joseph’s role to underscore that Jesus’ death was real. He was not merely faint or unconscious. He was buried with the full rites of Jewish custom. The resurrection that follows is not metaphor but miracle.
Finally, Joseph’s story affirms that no act of devotion is wasted. Providing a tomb, offering spices, wrapping a body in linen—these ordinary acts become part of God’s extraordinary story. Discipleship is not only about proclamation but about presence and service.
John 19:38–42 Meaning for Today
For modern believers, Joseph of Arimathea offers a model of quiet courage. He reminds us that discipleship is not always public or dramatic. Sometimes it means stepping forward when others step back. Sometimes it means doing small, faithful acts that honor Christ.
His story also encourages those who feel like latecomers to faith. Joseph was a secret disciple, hesitant and cautious. Yet his moment of witness came at the end, when it mattered most. God can use even those who have been silent, calling them to act at the right time.
Finally, Joseph of Arimathea’s role challenges us to consider how we honor Christ in the face of loss. We live in a world that often hides from death, but Joseph shows that tending to the broken body of Jesus is a holy act. In our care for the grieving, our honoring of the dead, and our small acts of mercy, we too participate in discipleship.
See Also
FAQ
Why was Joseph of Arimathea important?
He provided the tomb for Jesus’ burial, ensuring he was honored with dignity. His role shows that even those once hesitant can act courageously at the right moment.
What does it mean that Joseph was a secret disciple?
It means he believed in Jesus but kept quiet out of fear of the authorities. Yet at the cross, his faith moved him to act publicly, showing that discipleship often grows over time.
How does Joseph’s story encourage us today?
It encourages us that small, faithful acts matter. Even when we feel hesitant or late to faith, God can use our courage in key moments to honor Christ and bear witness.
Sources / Further Reading
Raymond Brown, John (AYB), vol. 2, pp. 940–943
D.A. Carson, John (PNTC), pp. 623–625
Gail O’Day, John (NIB), pp. 826–829
Craig Keener, John, vol. 2, pp. 1154–1160
Andreas Köstenberger, John (BECNT), pp. 552–555
