Was Jesus' body wrapped in spices before burial, or was he simply wrapped in linen with spices prepared later by women?

Historical and Cultural Context of Jewish Burial Customs

Jewish burial customs in the Second Temple period often involved placing the deceased in a rock-hewn tomb the same day as death and before sundown, then wrapping the body in linen cloths along with spices or fragrant oils. This practice aimed both to honor the dead and to address the natural process of decomposition. Archaeological findings from first-century Judea have uncovered tombs with ossuaries and remnants of burial cloth, highlighting the care given in these customs. Writings like Josephus’ “Jewish Antiquities” (17.199) also mention that spices and ointments were used to perfume and preserve the body as best as possible.

Scriptural Passages and Their Immediate Context

Several New Testament passages describe how Jesus’ body was handled after His crucifixion. Two key passages, John 19:39–40 and Mark 16:1, sometimes seem to present different aspects of the burial procedure:

1. John 19:39–40:

“Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.”

2. Mark 16:1:

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus’ body.”

At first glance, there appears to be a question: Did the disciples already wrap Jesus’ body in spices, or did the women come to do so afterward?

Reconciliation of John 19 and Mark 16

The account in John indicates that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea immediately prepared Jesus’ body for burial, including a large quantity of myrrh and aloes, then wrapped Him in linen. This was likely a hasty preparation before the onset of the Sabbath. Under normal conditions, more time might have been taken for a burial ceremony. However, due to the constraints of the coming feast day, they did what they could with reverence and speed.

In Mark 16:1, the women return after the Sabbath to anoint Jesus more thoroughly. This final act of love and devotion may have been viewed as the completion of the burial rituals. The additional spices they brought would further honor Jesus and counteract odors in the days following His death. First-century tradition sometimes allowed for continued visits to the tomb with additional spices or oils, especially if the initial preparation had been completed under time restrictions.

Witnesses to the Burial

Scripture also highlights the role of witnesses. The women—Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, among others—followed and saw exactly where Joseph and Nicodemus laid Jesus (Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). John 19:39–40 confirms Nicodemus’s involvement and notes that this was “according to the Jewish burial custom.” The parallel reference in Mark 16:1 shows that these same women were prepared to resume or complete any missing steps of the burial rite after the Sabbath.

Nature of the Wrappings and Spices

John 19:40 records that the spices and wrapping were in keeping with accepted Jewish traditions. Myrrh and aloes were common ingredients for burial mixtures, as evidenced by archaeological and literary sources. The linen cloth likely would have been wound around the body, with the spices placed either inside or around these cloths.

Mark 16:1, on the other hand, does not contradict the use of spices, but simply emphasizes the additional anointing the women intended to perform. Given the totality of the Gospel accounts, it seems clear that Jesus’ body was indeed wrapped with spices initially (John’s emphasis), and that further anointing or care was intended as soon as the Sabbath ended (Mark’s emphasis).

Consistency Across the Gospels

The Gospels reflect different emphases by different authors. John underscores the role of Nicodemus and the immediate application of myrrh and aloes, while Mark includes the detail of the women’s continued devotion. There is no true contradiction between them. Instead, they present a more complete picture of the events:

• Initial burial preparation with spices on Friday, directly after the crucifixion (John 19:39–40).

• Witnesses observing the tomb’s location (Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55).

• Further anointing preparations by the women after the Sabbath (Mark 16:1).

Responses to Common Questions

1. Was Jesus’ body wrapped in spices, or was it only linen?

Both are correct. John 19:39–40 states clearly that spices were used in the wrapping, which aligns with typical Jewish customs. Mark 16:1 focuses on the women’s plan to apply additional spices after the Sabbath. Hence, Jesus was not merely wrapped in linen; spices were indeed involved from the start.

2. Why did women return with more spices if the body had already been treated?

Due to the urgency imposed by the Sabbath, there was limited time to complete the traditional process. The women’s purchase of more spices indicates their resolve to provide a fuller, final tribute to the Messiah’s body.

3. Did the women actually witness the burial?

Yes. Scripture (e.g., Mark 15:47) indicates that the female disciples saw where Jesus was laid, ensuring they could find the correct tomb after the Sabbath. John 19:35–40 includes the direct testimony of those involved, showing awareness that Jesus’ burial was done properly under the circumstances.

Conclusion

Putting these passages together from a comprehensive viewpoint reveals no discrepancy. A portion of the burial customs (wrapping with linen and initial spices) occurred on the day of crucifixion to meet the requirement of burial before the Sabbath. Then, after the Sabbath ended, the faithful women came on the first day of the week to complete the anointing and pay their respects. The witnesses to these events corroborate that Jesus’ body was cared for both by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea and then by the devoted women seeking to honor Him further.