Matthew 27:57-61 Meaning: Why Joseph Risked Everything
57When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.
58This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
59Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth
60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
57And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
58this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up.
59And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.
61And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
57And evening having come, there came a rich man, from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was discipled to Jesus,
58he having gone near to Pilate, asked for himself the body of Jesus; then Pilate commanded the body to be given back.
59And having taken the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen,
60and laid it in his new tomb, that he hewed in the rock, and having rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, he went away;
61and there were there Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over-against the sepulchre.
57Now when even was come there came a rich man of Arimathaea, his name Joseph, who also himself was a disciple to Jesus.
58He, going to Pilate, begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
59And Joseph having got the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn in the rock; and having rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, went away.
61But Mary of Magdala was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the sepulchre.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did a secret disciple like Joseph of Arimathea risk everything to bury Jesus? Matthew 27:57-61 shows costly, courageous love that acts when it counts.
Context
Matthew 27:57-61 sits at the hinge between the crucifixion and the resurrection. Jesus has just died. The sky went dark, the earth shook, the centurion declared Jesus the Son of God. Now the evening of Preparation Day is coming, the Sabbath will begin at sunset, and no work can be done. Into this urgency steps Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a member of the council who had kept his discipleship quiet until now. He goes directly to Pilate, asks for Jesus' body, and with careful reverence takes it down, wraps it in clean linen, and lays it in his own new tomb cut from rock. He rolls a great stone across the entrance and leaves. Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stay, sitting opposite the tomb, watching where their Lord is laid.
Key Words
Matthew uses a rare Greek word for Joseph: emathēteuthē, meaning “was discipled.” It is passive, he had been made a disciple, not just that he followed Jesus casually. Something had taken hold of him. Now when the dangerous moment comes, the disciple in him rises up.
Another word: proserchomai, “having gone to” Pilate. It suggests a deliberate, bold approach. Joseph did not send a servant. He went himself, risking his reputation, his wealth, his standing with the council. He knocked on the governor’s door with a request that could ruin him.
And proskuliō, “rolled against” the stone. It is the same verb used in Mark 16:3 when the women ask who will roll away the stone. Joseph rolls it against the tomb, a final act of love, sealing the grave, not knowing that God would one day roll it away for good. Each action shows devotion that costs.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen this burial as an act of quiet heroism. Reformed commentators like Calvin note the providence that Joseph’s new tomb, unused, was prepared for Jesus, and that Joseph risked his position to give Christ a proper burial. Matthew Henry emphasizes the kindness of friends in contrast with the malice of enemies. Catholic traditions honor Joseph as a faithful disciple, with some seeing a model of care for the body of Christ in the Church. Orthodox Christians often reflect on the myrrh-bearing women and Joseph as the hidden disciple who came forward. All agree: this is love that overcomes fear, devotion that acts when it counts.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Joseph buried Jesus simply out of pity or duty, as any decent person might do for an executed criminal. In fact, Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, Matthew says he “was discipled” to Jesus. His actions came from faith, not sympathy. He risked his place in the council and his reputation to honor the One he followed.
Living This Out
Joseph had resources, a new tomb, clean linen, access to Pilate. He used them not for himself but for Jesus, when it was costly. This week, consider what you have that could honor Christ: your time, your home, your skills, your voice. Is there a situation where following Jesus quietly is no longer enough? Maybe a conversation you need to have, a risk you need to take, a step that shows whose you are. Joseph’s courage was not born in a moment, it had been growing in him as a disciple. Let his quiet devotion challenge your own.
Main takeaway: Joseph of Arimathea risked his reputation and resources to give Jesus a proper burial because true discipleship acts when it costs.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Joseph loved Jesus very much. He gave Jesus his own special tomb to rest in. That was his way of saying thank you.
For ages 9, 12
Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, but after Jesus died, he bravely asked Pilate for the body. He gave Jesus a proper burial in his own new tomb. Sometimes following Jesus means doing the right thing even when it’s hard or scary. God saw Joseph’s love, and He sees yours too.
Questions People Ask
Why did Joseph of Arimathea ask for Jesus' body?
Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, though he kept it secret. He wanted to give Jesus an honorable burial instead of leaving him on the cross or in a common grave. That took great courage because it was risky for a member of the council to publicly side with Jesus.
Was Joseph of Arimathea a secret disciple?
Yes, John's Gospel says he was a disciple secretly for fear of the Jews. But at the moment of Jesus' death, Joseph boldly stepped forward. His secret faith became public action.
Why did Joseph bury Jesus in a new tomb?
It was his own tomb, probably prepared for his own burial. But he gave it to Jesus. The fact that it was new and unused showed special honor, and it also meant no one had ever been buried there.
Who were the two Marys sitting opposite the tomb?
Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary' (likely Mary the mother of James and Joses). They had followed Jesus from Galilee and stayed to watch where he was laid, planning to come back with spices after the Sabbath.
Why is the burial of Jesus important?
It confirms that Jesus truly died. His burial fulfills Scripture (Isaiah 53:9), and the empty tomb on Sunday proves his resurrection. Every detail, the new tomb, the stone, the witnesses, testifies to the truth.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study