THE BURIAL OF JESUS CHRIST

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Describe the historical events surrounding Jesus’ burial as recorded in the Gospels
2. Identify the key figures involved in Jesus’ burial and their contributions
3. Explain the Jewish burial customs of the first century and their significance
4. Analyze the theological importance of Jesus’ burial in Christian faith
5. Apply insights from Jesus’ burial narrative to their own understanding of faith and life

INTRODUCTION

The burial of Jesus Christ, while sometimes overshadowed by the crucifixion and resurrection, stands as a crucial link between these momentous events. All four Gospels record details of Jesus’ burial, highlighting its historical reality and theological significance. The care taken with Jesus’ body, the unexpected disciples who emerged to honor Him, and the preparation for His eventual resurrection all provide rich insights into God’s redemptive plan. This lesson explores the historical details, cultural context, and spiritual significance of Jesus’ burial as an essential component of the gospel narrative.

1. THE HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF JESUS’ BURIAL

The Request for Jesus’ Body

• The urgency of burial before sundown (beginning of Sabbath)
  1. Jewish law required burial before sundown (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
  2. The approaching Passover Sabbath added special urgency
  3. Bodies of executed criminals typically disposed of dishonorably
• Joseph of Arimathea’s bold request to Pilate (Mark 15:42-45)
  1. Described as “a prominent member of the Council” (Mark 15:43)
  2. Waited for the kingdom of God
  3. Took courage and went to Pilate
• Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ quick death
  1. Verified Jesus’ death with the centurion
  2. Granted permission for Joseph to take the body
• Biblical references: Matthew 27:57-58, Mark 15:42-45, Luke 23:50-52, John 19:38

The Preparation of Jesus’ Body

• Removal from the cross
  1. Joseph took down the body (Mark 15:46)
  2. Aided by Nicodemus (John 19:39)
• Materials used for burial preparation
  1. Joseph purchased a linen shroud (Mark 15:46)
  2. Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds (John 19:39)
  3. Body wrapped in linen cloths with the spices (John 19:40)
• Following Jewish burial customs
  1. Wrapping the body in linen with spices
  2. Separate cloth for the head (implied from John 20:7)
  3. Limited preparation due to time constraints
• Biblical references: Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:46, Luke 23:53, John 19:38-40

The Tomb

• Description of the tomb
  1. A new tomb that had never been used (Matthew 27:60, John 19:41)
  2. Cut out of rock (Matthew 27:60, Mark 15:46)
  3. Located in a garden near the crucifixion site (John 19:41-42)
  4. Owned by Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:60)
• The burial action
  1. Body placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:60)
  2. Large stone rolled against the entrance (Matthew 27:60, Mark 15:46)
• Witnesses to the burial
  1. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed (Mark 15:47)
  2. The women saw where the body was laid (Luke 23:55)
  3. They prepared to return after the Sabbath (Luke 23:56)
• Biblical references: Matthew 27:59-61, Mark 15:46-47, Luke 23:53-56, John 19:41-42

Securing the Tomb

• The religious leaders’ request to Pilate (Matthew 27:62-63)
  1. Remembered Jesus’ prediction of resurrection
  2. Feared the disciples would steal the body
• Pilate’s response
  1. “Take a guard… Make the tomb as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65)
• The security measures
  1. Placed a seal on the stone
  2. Posted a guard
• Biblical reference: Matthew 27:62-66 (only Matthew records this detail)

II. KEY FIGURES IN THE BURIAL NARRATIVE

Joseph of Arimathea

• Identity and Background
  1. A wealthy man (Matthew 27:57)
  2. From the town of Arimathea (all Gospels)
  3. A prominent member of the Sanhedrin/Council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50)
  4. A good and righteous man who had not consented to the Council’s decision (Luke 23:50-51)
  5. A disciple of Jesus, though secretly because of fear (John 19:38)
  6. “Waiting for the kingdom of God” (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51)
• Actions and Contribution
  1. Courageously approached Pilate for Jesus’ body
  2. Purchased a linen shroud
  3. Provided his own newly cut tomb
  4. Helped prepare and place Jesus’ body
• Significance
  1. Fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about burial “with the rich” (Isaiah 53:9)
  2. Demonstrated that not all religious leaders opposed Jesus
  3. Moved from secret to public discipleship at great personal risk
  4. Ensured Jesus received an honorable burial

Nicodemus

• Identity and Background
  1. A Pharisee and “a ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1)
  2. Previously came to Jesus by night (John 3:1-21)
  3. Had defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-52)
• Actions and Contribution
  1. Brought myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds (John 19:39)
  2. Helped Joseph prepare Jesus’ body
  3. Like Joseph, risked his reputation and position
• Significance
  1. Showed growth from nighttime inquirer to public follower
  2. Demonstrated the extravagance of his devotion through the quantity of spices
  3. Represented another religious leader who secretly believed

The Women

• Identity
  1. Mary Magdalene (all Gospels)
  2. Mary the mother of James and Joses (Matthew, Mark)
  3. The “other Mary” (Matthew 27:61)
  4. The mother of Zebedee’s sons (Matthew 27:56, present at crucifixion)
  5. Salome (Mark 15:40, present at crucifixion)
  6. Joanna and other women from Galilee (Luke 23:55-56, 24:10)
• Actions and Contribution
  1. Observed where Jesus was buried
  2. Prepared spices and perfumes for further anointing
  3. Planned to return after the Sabbath
  4. Provided eyewitness continuity between burial and resurrection
• Significance
  1. Demonstrated faithful devotion even after apparent defeat
  2. Would become the first witnesses of the resurrection
  3. Provided crucial testimony for the early church
  4. Highlighted the important role of women in Jesus’ ministry

The Roman and Jewish Authorities

• Pilate
  1. Granted permission for Jesus’ honorable burial
  2. Provided a guard for the tomb
• The Chief Priests and Pharisees
  1. Remembered Jesus’ prediction about rising after three days
  2. Secured the tomb with a seal and guard
  3. Inadvertently provided evidence against later claims that disciples stole the body
• The Guards
  1. Posted at the tomb to prevent tampering
  2. Would later become witnesses to resurrection events (Matthew 28:4, 11-15)

III. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT

Jewish Burial Customs in the First Century

• Timing of Burial
  1. Bodies buried the same day as death (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
  2. Special urgency before Sabbath or festivals
  3. Burial considered a sacred duty and act of mercy
• Preparation of the Body
  1. Washing the body
  2. Anointing with oils and spices (to mask odor and show respect)
  3. Wrapping in linen cloths, often with spices between layers
  4. Separate cloth for the head
• Tomb Types
  1. Rock-cut tombs for wealthy, prominent families
  2. Simple trench graves for common people
  3. Family tombs vs. individual burial places
  4. Bodies typically left to decompose; bones later collected in ossuaries
• Mourning Practices
  1. Professional mourners often employed
  2. Formal mourning period (typically seven days)
  3. Visits to tomb during mourning period
  4. These normal practices were interrupted by the Sabbath and the resurrection

Burial of Crucifixion Victims

• Roman Practice
  1. Bodies of the crucified often left on crosses as warnings
  2. Sometimes thrown into common graves or left for scavengers
  3. Special permission required for family burial
• Jewish Concerns
  1. Bodies needed to be removed before sundown
  2. Even criminals deserved burial according to Jewish law
  3. Crucified individuals typically buried in designated criminal graves
  4. Jesus’ honorable burial was unusual for an executed criminal

Tomb Construction and Security

• Design of Rock-Cut Tombs
  1. Cut horizontally into limestone hillsides
  2. Often featured a small entrance
  3. Sometimes had a round stone that rolled in a groove to cover entrance
  4. Could contain multiple burial niches or benches
  5. Jesus likely laid on a stone shelf/bench rather than directly on the floor
• Sealing the Tomb
  1. A cord stretched across the stone, fastened with clay at each end
  2. Clay impressed with an official seal
  3. Breaking the seal was a punishable offense
  4. Provided evidence of tampering

IV. THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS’ BURIAL

Confirmation of Jesus’ Death

• The burial confirms Jesus truly died
• Counters later theories that Jesus merely swooned or appeared dead
• Emphasizes the reality of Jesus’ humanity and mortality
• Established the factual basis for the miracle of resurrection

Fulfillment of Prophecy

• Isaiah 53:9: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death”
  1. Crucified with criminals (“with the wicked”)
  2. Buried in a rich man’s tomb (“with the rich”)
• Psalm 16:10: “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay”
  1. Temporary nature of Jesus’ time in the tomb
  2. Pointed toward resurrection
• Jesus’ own predictions
  1. The sign of Jonah: “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40)
  2. Multiple predictions of His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:18-19)

The Burial in the Apostles’ Creed

• “Crucified, died, and was buried”
• The burial as an essential element of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
• Historical reality emphasized in early Christian proclamation
• The burial as the link between death and resurrection

Baptismal Symbolism

• Romans 6:3-4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death”
• Colossians 2:12: “Having been buried with him in baptism”
• The burial of Jesus as a model for the spiritual burial of the believer
• Baptism representing identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection
• The submersion in water symbolizing burial with Christ

The “Harrowing of Hell”

• 1 Peter 3:19-20: “He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits”
• The traditional belief that between death and resurrection, Christ descended to the realm of the dead
• Various interpretations across Christian traditions:
  1. Proclamation of victory over evil powers
  2. Liberation of Old Testament saints
  3. Opportunity for those who died before Christ to respond to the gospel
• The burial as the time of this activity between death and resurrection

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Finding Hope in Dark Times

• Jesus’ burial represents the darkest moment before dawn
• The apparent defeat that preceded ultimate victory
• Trusting God’s purposes even when all seems lost
• Finding meaning in the “Saturday experiences” of life

The Courage of Unexpected Disciples

• Joseph and Nicodemus stepping forward when others retreated
• Moving from secret belief to public action
• Taking risks for Jesus after His death
• Finding courage to stand for faith when it seems costly

The Ministry of Proper Grieving

• The importance of honoring the dead with dignity
• Creating meaningful rituals for processing grief
• The role of community in times of loss
• Finding ways to express love even after death

From Burial to Resurrection Living

• Being “buried with Christ” in our spiritual journey
• Letting go of the old life to embrace the new
• The power of identifying with Christ’s full experience
• Finding transformation through symbolic burial experiences

The Importance of “In-Between” Times

• The Sabbath of waiting between crucifixion and resurrection
• Finding meaning in waiting periods of our spiritual journey
• The formation that happens in apparent inactivity
• Patience in God’s timing as part of the spiritual life