Gospels In Harmony

Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:31, 38-42

The Burial of Jesus All Hope is Lost

[Review Study Aired March 14, 2023]

Mark 15:42a And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
John 19:31b (for that sabbath day was an high day,)
Luke 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
Matthew 27:57b who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
John 19:38b but secretly for fear of the Jews,
Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
Mark 15:42b which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
Mark 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
Mark 15:46a And he bought fine linen, and took him down,
John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Mark 15:46c and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

In our last study the Jews were concerned that the bodies of those who were crucified would remain on the cross on the Sabbath, which was a high day, so they asked Pilate to have their legs broken and their bodies taken away. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and the other who were crucified with Jesus. However, when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead and did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water came out. The one who saw this bore witness to it, and his testimony is true so that others may believe. These things were done so that the scripture would be fulfilled, which says that not a bone of Jesus shall be broken and that they would look on him whom they pierced. (John 19:31-37)

Christ has now fulfilled the prophecies of his death

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Psalm 22: 14-16 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Christ now fulfills the prophecy of his burial.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Joseph makes a request for Christ’s body so he can bury him before the sabbath begins.

Mark 15:42a And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
John 19:31b (for that sabbath day was an high day,)
Luke 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
Matthew 27:57b who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
John 19:38b but secretly for fear of the Jews,
Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
Mark 15:42b which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
Mark 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

Joseph being granted by Pilate he retrieved Christ’s body from the cross and prepared him for burial along with Nicodemus.

Mark 15:46a And he bought fine linen, and took him down,
John 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

They wrapped him in “fine linen”. This is a symbol of Christ overcoming the sin of the world.

Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Zec 3:3-5 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

They laid him in a new tomb.

John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Mark 15:46c and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

The women join them.

Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Luke 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Can you imagine the grieving of all the disciples and followers of Christ? At this point they surely have lost all the hope they received from Christ.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

In their minds everything is lost. Their savior is dead and all things continue as though he never existed. The Jews begin the practices of their traditions and are celebrating the death of Christ. He spoke of his Father and they believed the lies of Satan and sought to kill him and succeeded.

John 8:38-47 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God.

The followers of Christ are being crushed to powder which is what must happen. The stone that covered the grave serves a purpose of grinding them to powder.

Exodus 32:20-21 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt [it] in the fire, and ground [it] to powder, and strawed [it] upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink [of it]. And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.