John 19:38-4238And after this Joseph of Arimathea, 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. 39And 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. 40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:38‑42). Luke 23:55, 5655And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. (Luke 23:55‑56). Matt. 27:6060And 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. (Matthew 27:60)
THERE was one rich man who loved Jesus; his name was Joseph (not Mary’s husband; this was another Joseph). Joseph had a garden, and in the garden, he had a grave. Perhaps he meant to be buried there himself when he died.
But now Joseph thought, ‘I should like to put the Lord Jesus in my grave.’ It was a very nice grave, and no one had ever been put there yet.
So Joseph went to Pontius Pilate and said, ‘I want the dead body of Jesus. May I take it down from the cross, and keep it myself?’
And Pilate said, ‘Yes, you may have it.’
Then Joseph was glad. He brought some nice, white, clean linen.
What do you think that was for?
To wrap Jesus in. And he brought some spices (sweet-smelling things from plants). Nicodemus came with him, and they took the nails out of Jesus’ hands and feet and took his body down from the cross. Then Joseph wrapped a cloth round His head, and another cloth round His waist, and he put sweet spices on Him. Then some men carried Jesus along to Joseph’s garden.
In the garden there was a large rock, and a hole in the rock, like a hole in the wall. They walked into this large dark hole, and they laid Jesus down alone. Now He was at rest; He felt no pain or sorrow. The wicked people were not near; and there lay the Lord in His quiet grave. The men took a very large stone and stopped up the hole, so that nobody could come in. No beast or bird could touch the Lord Jesus. There were trees and flowers near Him in this nice garden. There were angels there watching over Him, though no one could see them.
Where were the women who loved Jesus?
They had been looking at Him on the cross. How they must have cried when they saw Him bleed, and when they heard Him cry out to God!
The women had seen Joseph and Nicodemus take down the body from the cross. They had followed the men into the garden. They had seen it put so carefully into the grave.
They said to each other, ‘Let us get more spices, and make sweet ointment to put on the Lord Jesus.’ Joseph had put some spices on Jesus’ body, but they wanted to put more spices on it. So they went home and made nice ointment.
Questions
Who put Jesus into his own grave?
Where was the grave?
Who did Joseph ask when he wanted Jesus’ body?
What did Joseph wrap it in?
What did he put round Jesus’ head and waist?
What was put in front of the grave?
Did anyone see where Jesus was laid?
What did the women make when they went home?
What happened to Jesus’ body after He was crucified?
A verse from the Bible for you to learn: