The Burial of Jesus
Opening Prayer
God, it has always been about You — who You are. You have decided that You would spend the rest of eternity with Your people, among whom we are counted as blessed to be included.
Jesus, we long for that day that day when, from that moment forward and forever, we will spend our lives worshipping You in Your presence no longer separated, no longer alienated because of our sin, but truly and perfectly in Your presence to worship You.
Jesus, we long for that day. Thank You for Your life, for Your atoning sacrifice in our place. Thank You for the intercessory and mediatory work that You are doing on our behalf even now.
We are here to worship You. And so now, Jesus, as we turn our attention to Your Word — be glorified.
Through the power of Your Spirit, Lord, help us to understand the significance of Your burial, the significance of Your sovereign work even in that act. Change us, that we would be more accurately and consistently conformed to Your image. God, be glorified in this time.
Bless us now. Bless Pastor Jason as he opens Your Word for us.
We love You. We thank You. It is in the name of the Son, Jesus, that we pray.
Scripture Verses Quoted or Referenced
Pastor Jason directly or indirectly references or quotes the following passages:
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 –
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”Mark 15:40–47 –
(The main preaching text covering the burial of Jesus, including Joseph of Arimathea and the women witnesses.)Deuteronomy 19:15 –
“A single witness shall not suffice... only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”1 Corinthians 4:1–2 –
“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”Deuteronomy 21:22–23 –
(Law requiring that anyone hung on a tree must be taken down and buried the same day, lest the land be defiled.)John 19:31–34 –
(Request to break the legs of the crucified, Jesus’ side pierced by a spear, confirming His death.)Luke 23:50–51 –
(Joseph of Arimathea described as a good and righteous man who had not consented to the council’s decision.)Matthew 27:57–60 –
(Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and disciple, placed Jesus in his own new tomb.)Isaiah 53:9 –
“And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death…” (fulfilled in Jesus’ burial.)John 3:1–21 –
(Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night and being told, “You must be born again.”)Matthew 16:24 –
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Five Key Points About the Burial of Jesus
The Burial Is Central to the Gospel
– Paul includes the burial as one of the three pillars of the gospel: Christ died, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor. 15:3–4).
– It confirms His real death and bridges the cross and resurrection.Faithful Witnesses Were Present
– Women like Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome witnessed the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection events.
– Though culturally undervalued, God used their faithfulness as vital testimony.Joseph of Arimathea’s Courage
– A respected member of the Sanhedrin who had been a secret disciple boldly asked Pilate for Jesus’ body, risking reputation, status, and ritual purity.
– His act of courage moved his faith from private belief to public action.Fulfillment of Prophecy and Law
– The burial fulfilled both Jewish law (Deut. 21:22–23, removal before sundown) and prophecy (Isa. 53:9, burial with the rich).
– Every detail, from timing to tomb, aligned with God’s sovereign plan.God’s Sovereign Hand in Every Detail
– From Pilate’s permission to Joseph’s and Nicodemus’s actions, the burial scene shows divine orchestration.
– The same God who ruled over those events still works through surprising people and circumstances today.
Summary
Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross before sundown to fulfill the Mosaic Law in Deuteronomy 21:22–23, which commanded that a man hung on a tree must not remain there overnight, for “a hanged man is cursed by God” and leaving him would defile the land. Because this was the Day of Preparation and the next day was a High Sabbath (John 19:31), the Jews sought to avoid desecrating the holy day by leaving bodies exposed. In divine precision, Jesus’ death coincided with the slaughter of the Passover lambs before sundown (Exodus 12:6), showing that He is the true Lamb of God whose bones were not broken (John 19:36). His removal from the cross before sunset demonstrated both obedience to the Law and the fulfillment of prophecy, revealing that even in death, every detail of God’s redemptive plan was sovereignly orchestrated.