Matthew 27:59 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud

NIV: Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

NASB: And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

CSB: So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen,

NLT: Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.

KJV: And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

NKJV: When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

A rich man from the local town of Arimathea, Joseph is a wealthy member of the influential Sanhedrin. This is the religious council which conspired against Jesus (John 11:48–53) and condemned Jesus to die in an illicit nighttime trial (Matthew 26:57–66). Joseph, however, is a secret disciple of Jesus (John 19:38). As with modern legislatures, the Jewish council did not require every member to be present to hold an official vote. Men suspected of being friendly towards Jesus (John 3:1; 7:50–52) were almost certainly not informed of the sham trial until it was over. He has bravely asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body away. Pilate has agreed (Matthew 27:57–58).

Joseph wrapped the body in a new (Mark 15:46), clean burial garment. John's gospel tells us that a man named Nicodemus helped Joseph (John 19:39–42). Nicodemus was a Pharisee who had come to Jesus by night to learn more from Him (John 3) and had attempted to influence the Sanhedrin to treat Him fairly (John 7:50–52). Nicodemus brought a large quantity of burial spices, likely at great personal expense. These were typically wrapped against with the body to mask odor and repel insects.

Jewish burial customs did not include embalming or mummification, but bodies were often anointed with perfumed oil in addition to being wrapped. In Jesus' case, a devoted follower had lavished perfume on Him earlier in the week. This, it turned out, was an anointing of His body prior to death (Matthew 26:6–13).

Matthew 27:57–66 describes Jesus' burial and the watch placed over His tomb. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy follower of Jesus, asks for Jesus' body. Pilate agrees. Joseph wraps Jesus' body in a clean linen shroud and places it in his own, never-used tomb, which is cut out of the rock in a garden. Jesus' enemies ask Pilate to place Roman soldiers at the grave site. They seek to prevent anyone from stealing His body and claiming He has been resurrected. Pilate agrees. The tomb is sealed. A guard is posted. These events are also seen in Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, and John 19:38–42.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.