Introduction:
Arimathaea is a town mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, primarily known as the home of Joseph of Arimathea, a significant figure in the burial of Jesus Christ. The exact location of Arimathaea is not definitively known, but it is traditionally associated with the region of Judea.

Biblical References:
Arimathaea is mentioned in all four Gospels in the context of the burial of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected member of the Jewish council, is described as a secret disciple of Jesus who boldly requested the body of Jesus from Pontius Pilate for burial.

· Matthew 27:57-60 : "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away."

· Mark 15:43-46 : "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so. When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb."

· Luke 23:50-53 : "Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man who had not consented to their decision and action. He was from Arimathea, a town of Judea, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid."

· John 19:38-42 : "Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body. 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. Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there."

Historical and Geographical Context:
The precise location of Arimathaea is not identified in the biblical text, leading to various scholarly suggestions. Some traditions associate it with the modern town of Ramallah or the ancient site of Ramathaim-Zophim, the birthplace of the prophet Samuel. The town is described as being in Judea, indicating its proximity to Jerusalem, which aligns with the Gospel accounts of Joseph's involvement in the burial of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea:
Joseph is depicted as a man of wealth and influence, a member of the Sanhedrin, and a secret follower of Jesus. His actions demonstrate courage and devotion, as he risked his reputation and standing to ensure that Jesus received a proper burial. Joseph's role is significant in fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9, which states, "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death."

Theological Significance:
The account of Joseph of Arimathea highlights themes of discipleship, courage, and the fulfillment of prophecy. His willingness to care for the body of Jesus, despite the potential repercussions, serves as an example of faith and commitment. The burial in a new tomb also underscores the resurrection narrative, as the empty tomb becomes a central element in the proclamation of Jesus' victory over death.

Conclusion:
Arimathaea, though briefly mentioned, plays a crucial role in the Gospel narratives through the actions of Joseph of Arimathea. His involvement in the burial of Jesus not only fulfills prophetic scripture but also exemplifies the transformative impact of Jesus' ministry on individuals from diverse backgrounds and social standings.ARIMATHAEA

ar-i-ma-the'-a (Arimathaia): "A city of the Jews," the home of Joseph in whose sepulchre the body of Jesus was laid. Its identity is the subject of much conjecture. The Onomasticon of Eusebius and Jerome identifies it with Ramathaim-Zophim in the hill-country of Ephraim (1 Samuel 11), which is Ramah the birthplace and burial-place of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:19; 1 Samuel 25:1), and places it near Timnah on the borders of Judah and Dan. G. A. Smith thinks it may be the modern Beit Rima, a village on an eminence 2 miles North of Timnah. Others incline to Ramallah, 8 miles North of Jerusalem and 3 miles from Bethel (Matthew 27:57 Mark 15:43 Luke 23:51 John 19:38).

S. F. Hunter

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA

(A Arimathaias; for etymology, etc., of Joseph, see general article on JOSEPH): Joseph of Arimathea-a place the locality of which is doubtful, but lying probably to the Northwest of Jerusalem-was a "rich man" (Matthew 27:57), "a councilor of honorable estate," or member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43 Luke 23:50), "a good and righteous man.... who was looking for the kingdom of God" (Luke 23:50 Mark 15:43), and "himself was Jesus' disciple" (Matthew 27:57 John 19:38). Although he kept his discipleship secret "for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38), he was yet faithful to his allegiance in that he absented himself from the meeting which found Jesus guilty of death (compare Luke 23:51 Mark 14:64). But the condemnation of his Lord awakened the courage and revealed the true faith of Joseph. On the evening after the crucifixion he went "boldly" to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. There is a fine touch in that he himself took down the body from the cross. With the assistance of Nicodemus he wound it in fine linen with spices (compare Matthew 27:57, Joseph was a "rich man") and brought it to the new sepulcher in the garden near the place of His crucifixion. There they "laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain" and `rolled a stone against the door of the tomb' (compare Matthew 27:57-60 Mark 15:42-46 Luke 23:50-53 John 19:38-42). In this was held to be the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9.

The Gospel of Peter, written probably in Syria about the middle of the 2nd century, gives a slightly different account. According to this Joseph, "the friend of Pilate and the Lord," was present at the trial of Jesus, and immediately upon its conclusion besought of Pilate that he might have the body for burial. This was granted, and after the crucifixion the Jews handed the body over to Joseph (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 27-30). Legends of a later origin record that Joseph was sent by Philip from Gaul to Britain along with 11 other disciples in 63 A.D., and built an oratory at Glastonbury (compare PHILIP, the Apostle), that he brought the Holy Grail to England, and that he freed Ireland from snakes.

C. M. Kerr

707. Harimathaia -- Arimathea, probably a city near Jer.
... NASB Word Usage Arimathea (4). Arimathaea. Of Hebrew origin (Ramah); Arimathaea
(or Ramah), a place in Palestine -- Arimathaea. see HEBREW Ramah. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/707.htm - 6k

J. The Death and Burial. Ch. 23:44-56
... And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man 51
(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathaea, a city ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/j the death and burial.htm

The Crucifixion.
... b when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before
the sabbath, ^c behold, ^a there came a rich man from Arimathaea, ^ca city of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 4.htm

No Ballot-Box.
... There are sadly too many, who are like Joseph of Arimathaea, disciples, but secretly
for fear. WE WANT NO SECRET VOTES. Say right out which side you are for. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxix no ballot-box.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus were not now to be summoned, but there
were others who might dare to speak in favor of justice. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

The Burial.
... And after these things, when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea,
named Joseph, a councillor of honorable estate, a disciple of Jesus, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the burial.htm

Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies
... Because it was now evening of the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea,
an honorable member of the Jewish national council, who was himself looking for ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is crucified by his.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day
before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Minne-Songs
... or as it is always called in this poem, "the Holy Grail." The Holy Grail was said
to be a vessel of pure emerald, belonging to Joseph of Arimathaea, from which ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the minne-songs.htm

The Feast at Simon's House
... her faith and love. Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus offered not their
gift of love to Jesus in His life. With bitter tears they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 62 the feast at.htm

A Believer's Privilege at Death
... Death does to a believer, as Joseph of Arimathaea did to Christ, it takes
him down from the cross, and gives him a writ of ease. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 a believers privilege at.htm

Arimathaea (4 Occurrences)
...ARIMATHAEA. ar-i-ma-the'-a (Arimathaia): "A city of the Jews," the home of Joseph
in whose sepulchre the body of Jesus was laid. ... SF Hunter. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA. ...
/a/arimathaea.htm - 11k

Arimathea (4 Occurrences)
...ARIMATHAEA. ar-i-ma-the'-a (Arimathaia): "A city of the Jews," the home of Joseph
in whose sepulchre the body of Jesus was laid. ... SF Hunter. JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA. ...
/a/arimathea.htm - 12k

Waited (72 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for
the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body ...
/w/waited.htm - 26k

Waiting (274 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 There came Joseph of Arimathaea, a responsible man in high honour, who
was himself waiting for the kingdom of God; and he went in to Pilate without ...
/w/waiting.htm - 35k

Council (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council
member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. ...
/c/council.htm - 24k

Awaiting (13 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable councillor, who also himself was
awaiting the kingdom of God, coming, emboldened himself and went in to Pilate ...
/a/awaiting.htm - 10k

Disciple (38 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 27:57 When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea,
named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus' disciple came. ...
/d/disciple.htm - 22k

Aright (14 Occurrences)

/a/aright.htm - 10k

Request (248 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:43 There came Joseph of Arimathaea, a responsible man in high honour, who
was himself waiting for the kingdom of God; and he went in to Pilate without ...
/r/request.htm - 34k

Jews (287 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:51 (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a
city of the Jews, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God: (WEB KJV ASV BBE ...
/j/jews.htm - 36k

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