As we come to the end of Chapter 15 of Mark’s Gospel, we arrive at the burial of Jesus. Look out for the courage and determination of the women who followed Jesus.
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid
Horsham:20th January 2026
Joseph and Nicodemus
Matthew tells us that Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a member of the Sanhedrin. Mark says he was a prominent member of the Council. Importantly, Matthew describes him as a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-61). We need to pause and take that in.
John tell us in some detail of a conversation between Jesus and another member of the Jewish Council of leaders, Nicodemus, just a few days earlier (John 1:1-21).
We know tantalisingly little about Nicodemus and Joseph, but the appearance of Joseph at this point in the story is interesting in so many ways. It affirms that Jesus had sympathisers in the Sanhedrin. Luke says that he had not agreed with the plan to kill Jesus (Luke 23:51). Could it be that at least one voice was raised in defence of Jesus on that dreadful morning before his death.
I’m wondering how many more unnamed people were in the background, supportive of Jesus, perhaps even openly.
Joseph approaches Pilate
For the Jews, the day started at 6pm. Jesus has died on the day of preparation for the sabbath, which will begin within a couple of hours. Joseph works fast.
Joseph takes a huge risk. Standing up in a very public way for Jesus after his death suggests a certain confidence in his actions. Pilate’s response to his request could have been very different.
Joseph went boldly to the Praetorium to seek audience with Pilate. The Roman governor is already angry with the Jewish leaders, yet he gives audience to Joseph.
John tells us that Nicodemus was also there to help with the recovery and burial of Jesus (John 19:38-41). Is it possible that this new grave had been dug and prepared by these rich supporters specifically with Jesus in mind (Wiersbe, p102). Who, after all, would build a tomb for their own use next to Golgotha?
Pilate releases the body
Some victims of crucifixion would suffer in agony for days. To die within 6 hours is unusual, and testament to the brutal treatment of Jesus in the hours before nailing him to the cross. The bodies of crucified criminals were normally discarded without ceremony, thrown on the rubbish heap or simply left to rot. It is suggested that Golgotha was so named because it was littered with the skulls of executed prisoners, picked clean by wild animals, feral dogs and birds.
Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus is already dead. Perhaps it is a reflection of his reluctance to execute Jesus that Pilate agrees to the release of the body. We should be in no doubt that Jesus was dead. They even pierced his side with a spear to make sure.
The body of Jesus of Nazareth is removed from the cross, wrapped in linen, and placed in Joseph’s tomb. The Sabbath, remember, starts at 6pm, and that moment is at hand. There is simply not enough time to properly wash and prepare the body. Christ is placed in the tomb and a large stone rolled against the opening.
‘There were also women..’
Mark has already mentioned the presence of the women at the cross. Others have left and turned their back on Jesus. Even those disciples who had declared, no doubt with integrity, that they would stand by Jesus, are in hiding. But the women are still there.
It is the women who follow Joseph and his servants. It is women who see where he is laid. It is women who continue to follow Jesus.
The stone is rolled across the mouth of the grave. We might imagine that it is moments before 6pm. Joseph, his servants, the women and every other Jew rushes to their home to observe the sabbath.
End Piece
It’s so easy to overlook that at this, the most challenging and dangerous time for those who followed Jesus, the Gospel writers, who lived in a deeply patriarchal society, finally bring the women who followed Jesus to centre stage.
Witnessing the death of Jesus, Matthew says that there were many women (Matthew 27:55). The Greek word is pollai (πολλαὶ) and it literally means many, implying that there were almost certainly more women than those whose names appear in the texts.
It is John who tells us that first amongst the women is Mary, the mother of Jesus (John 19:25).
Matthew specifically mentions Mary, mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27:56) Mark highlights Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses (Mark 15:47); Luke mentions that women who had been followers of Jesus were there, and that some of them had travelled with Jesus from Galilee (Luke 23:55-26). John specifically mentions the wife of Clopas (John 19:25).
And now, as Jesus is placed in the tomb, there are two women watching what is happening. Mary Magdalene and another Mary looked on, as Jesus was placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47)
Where, we might ask, is Peter? James? John? Where are those brave disciples who, less than 24 hours ago, declared their readiness to die alongside Jesus?
‘Faithful women were the last at the cross on Friday and the first at the tomb on Sunday. What a contrast to the disciples, who had boasted that they would die for Him!. The Church of Jesus Christ owes much to the sacrifice and devotion of believing women.’ (Wiersbe, p181)