Joseph of Arimathea was a pivotal person in the crucifixion saga. Without him, the evidence of the empty tomb would have been lost and prophecy unfulfilled.
After the crucifixion, the Disciples were demoralized and hid themselves from the Jewish leaders out of fear (John 20:19). John appears to be the only one brave enough to attend the event:
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:25-27)
When Mary discovers the empty tomb, she run back to tell the Disciples. They then run to the sepulcher to verify Mary’s words (John 20:1-10). If they believed that Yeshua was to be resurrected, why didn’t they stay close to the tomb to witness the miracle?
If they had believed that Christ would be ressurected, then why, when the Christ appeared to Mary, did she ask where Yeshua had been taken
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. (John 20:15-16)
The only person who seem to know that Christ would raise again was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership council that had condemned Yeshua to death.
And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. (John 19:38)
It was Joseph who entered the dwelling of a Gentile (Pontius Pilate), which was forbidden under Talmud, to beg for the body of the dead Christ. Do you think the other Jewish leaders would remain ignorant of what he had done? Why would he risk the wrath of the Sanhedrin this way?
It was Joseph who wrapped Yeshua’s lifeless body in funeral linens and placed him in a new sepulcher (presumably one that had been purchased for his own eventual use). It’s not like people bought burial plots in bulk.
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. 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. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:40-42)
Another Jewish leader, Nicodemus, a Pharisee that had questioned Yeshua at the start of his ministry and presumably been especially impressed by Yeshua’s words and deeds, joined Joseph and brought “100-pounds” of spices.
All this work had to be done quickly because Passover began at sunset and the had been commanded, centuries earlier by Yahweh, to observe the Passover every year, forever.
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. (Exodus 12:14)
Yeshua died in the “ninth hour” (approximately 3:00pm), giving Joseph less than six hours to appeal to Pilate; return to Golgotha to claim the dead body; take it to the tomb; wrap the body; arrange the spices; and return home before the sunset start of the holy week commencing with Passover and the week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread.
This was a lot of trouble and danger. Joseph must have firmly believed (more so than the Disciples who spent most of their time with Yeshua when he was still alive) that Yeshua was the Christ that should not see corruption (Psalms 16:10).
Without Joseph, the body of a crucified man would have been dumped onto the City trash pit where it would have burned up, thereby nullifying the prophecy in Psalms 16 and the evidence of the empty tomb would never have come about.
Peter ran from the danger after denying Yeshua three (six? – another study for a later date) times – Joseph embraced the peril and helped fulfill the prophecies. Something, at some point, had caused him to understand and believe the truth about Yeshua. Something the Disciples had failed to understand, even after spending so much time with the Christ
