Joseph of Arimathea
the one who gave his tomb
Who was Joseph of Arimathea?
- He was a rich man from Arimathea, and a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 27:57
- He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, and he had not agreed with what the others did. Luke 23:50-51
- He asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and laid it in his new tomb. Mark 15:43; Matthew 27:58-60
- From
- Arimathea, a town in Judea Luke 23:50-51
- Occupation
- Member of the council (the Sanhedrin) Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50
- Feast day
- August 31: Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
What the Bible says
Matthew 27:57
And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.
Luke 23:50-51
50And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counsellor, a good and just man, 51(The same had not consented to their counsel and doings;) of Arimathea, a city of Judea; who also himself looked for the kingdom of God.
Mark 15:43; Matthew 27:58-60
Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The path of Joseph of Arimathea
- Before Jesus. He was a rich man from Arimathea, a town in Judea. Matthew 27:57; Luke 23:51
- Before Jesus. He was a member of the council, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Mark 15:43
- Before Jesus. He was a disciple of Jesus, but in secret, for fear of the authorities. John 19:38
- With Jesus. He had not agreed with the council’s decision or with what the others had done. Luke 23:51
- With Jesus. When evening came, he took courage, went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:42-43
- With Jesus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead. The centurion confirmed it, and Pilate gave the body to Joseph. Mark 15:44-45
- Afterward. With Nicodemus, he wrapped the body in linen cloths with spices, as was the Jewish burial custom. John 19:39-40
- Afterward. He laid it in his own new tomb, cut out of the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Matthew 27:60
Words of Joseph of Arimathea
The Gospels do not record any words of his.
What they were like
- Good and righteous. Luke 23:50
- He was waiting for the kingdom of God. Mark 15:43; Luke 23:51
- Brave when it counted: he went in to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43
The greatest thing they did
- He gave his own new tomb for Jesus. Matthew 27:60
- With Nicodemus, he buried Jesus with linen cloths and spices. John 19:39-40
Not to be confused with
- Joseph: Joseph, the husband of Mary, cared for Jesus as a child. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the council, and after the cross he buried Jesus. Matthew 1:16; Matthew 27:57-60
- Joseph called Barsabbas was one of the two men proposed to take the place of Judas among the Twelve. Acts 1:23
In the Church today
Feast day: August 31, Saints Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (commemoration). Roman Martyrology (2004)
In art, recognized by: He holds the linen cloth or the body of Jesus, in scenes of the taking down from the cross and the burial This is how Christian art shows him, based on Mc 15, 46
What people ask
Why was he a secret disciple?
John says it was for fear of the authorities. But on the day of the cross he came forward and went to ask for the body of Jesus. John 19:38; Mark 15:43
Was the tomb his?
Yes. Matthew says it was his own new tomb, cut out of the rock. No one had ever been laid there. Matthew 27:60; Luke 23:53
Why were they in a hurry to bury Jesus?
It was the day before the sabbath, and the tomb was close by. The sabbath was about to begin. John 19:42; Luke 23:54
What does the Church say about him?
The Catechism names him among the leading men of Jerusalem who were secret disciples of Jesus, like Nicodemus. Catechism 595
Is it true that he traveled to Britain?
It is a legend that takes him to Gaul and to Britain. The Catholic Encyclopedia calls it a fable. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Joseph of Arimathea”
His fear For a time he was a secret disciple, for fear of the authorities. John 19:38 Little known He bought a linen cloth and took Jesus down from the…
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See the mapWho Joseph of Arimathea is connected to
- Pontius Pilate · gave him the body of Jesus
- Jesus · buried him
- Nicodemus · buried him together
- Mary Magdalene · saw where he was laid
More people
All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible