Reading the Word

John 19:38–42 (ESV)

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Understanding and Applying the Word

After Jesus had died, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish council, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Joseph took the body and laid it in a new tomb that was located in the garden. Nicodemus, who had approached Jesus earlier in John 3:1-2, also came with spices to prepare Jesus’ body. All of this fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9, which states, “And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.”

Saturday marked a day of silence. Jesus was crucified and buried on Friday and his body rested in the tomb on Saturday. His disciples were unaware of what would happen on Sunday and were discouraged and fearful. But God’s plans and purposes were still being fulfilled. We may not always have an understanding of what the future holds, but we can be confident in the one who is always working all things for his glory and for the good of those who love him. Our God is faithful and he is trustworthy.

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