Connect Joseph's actions in Matthew 27:57 with Old Testament burial customs. A Wealthy Disciple Steps Forward (Matthew 27:57) “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.” • The verse introduces Joseph’s social status, timing (“evening”), and devotion—details that bridge directly to Old Testament patterns of burial carried out by people of means who honored God and the deceased. Immediate Burial: Honoring the Law of Moses • Deuteronomy 21:22-23 commanded that anyone put to death “must be buried that same day.” • Joseph acted before sundown, just as faithful Israelites had done for centuries, ensuring Jesus’ body did not remain unburied overnight. • His urgency echoes Joshua 10:26-27, where executed Canaanite kings were taken down at sunset and buried the same day. The Family Tomb Tradition • Patriarchs secured burial property in advance: – Genesis 23 records Abraham purchasing the cave of Machpelah “as a burial site,” establishing a pattern of honoring loved ones in family sepulchers. – Jacob reiterated this custom in Genesis 49:29-31, requesting burial in the same tomb. • Joseph of Arimathea likewise places Jesus in “his own new tomb” (Matthew 27:60), following the ancestral model of personally provided, family-style burial space. Stone-Cut Tombs and Reverent Preparation • Rock-hewn tombs were common for the well-to-do. Isaiah rebukes Shebna for carving himself “a tomb on high” (Isaiah 22:16), confirming the practice. • 2 Chronicles 32:33 notes that Hezekiah “was buried in the upper section of the tombs of David,” again pointing to prepared, cut-out sepulchers. • Joseph’s act of rolling “a great stone to the entrance of the tomb” (Matthew 27:60) mirrors the sealing of caves like Machpelah (Genesis 23:17-18). Spices, Linen, and Reverence • Matthew 27:59 adds that Joseph “wrapped [Jesus] in a clean linen cloth,” consistent with Old Testament examples: – 2 Chronicles 16:14: King Asa’s body was laid “on a bier covered with spices and blended aromatic oils.” – Genesis 50:2-3: Joseph in Egypt was embalmed, demonstrating careful treatment and wrapping. • Nicodemus will bring a mixture of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39-40), echoing Song of Songs 4:14, where such fragrances signify highest honor. A Rich Man in His Death—Prophecy Fulfilled • Isaiah 53:9 foretold, “His grave was assigned with the wicked, yet He was with a rich man in His death.” • By stepping in, Joseph not only continued long-standing burial customs but also fulfilled messianic prophecy to the letter, reinforcing Scripture’s trustworthiness. Key Takeaways for Our Walk Today • Scripture’s details align seamlessly across Testaments; Joseph’s actions were steeped in ancient, God-given customs. • Obedience, generosity, and courage often intersect—Joseph used his resources to honor Christ when others had fled. • Burial practices in both Testaments point beyond mere ritual to hope in God’s promises of resurrection and redemption. |
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