Episode 131 - Secret Disciples - John 19:38-42

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Here is a small section of John’s gospel which, on the surface, doesn’t appear to have much to offer us. However, as we’ve seen through this entire book, John doesn’t include details for no reason whatsoever. So, what do we have here?

First, Jesus is dead. Second, Two named men are spoken of who attend to Jesus’ body for burial. We already know that others have been there during the crucifixion. I find it difficult to believe that there were no other people around to assist these men. I would even imagine that his mother Mary was still present along with John since he was a witness to these details and had just been given the responsibility of caring for Jesus’ mother. But, these two men are named. Third, despite the late hour nearing the beginning of the Sabbath, great expense and care is taken to prepare his body for burial. 

Who are these men that John deems it important to highlight their actions at this moment? The first is a man named Joseph. As far as I know, he was never mentioned previously during Jesus’ ministry. John tells us he was from Arimathea. Little is known with certainty about this town. However, scholars seem to generally concur that it was most likely the hometown of the prophet Samuel, “Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim” (1 Sam. 1:1) Perhaps John’s purpose in mentioning this is because it qualified to his audience exactly who this was. Perhaps John’s motive is to suggest of measure of honor upon Joseph through that association. These are purely my guesses. But, all four gospels mention Joseph and give us more detail about him. Matthew tells us that Joseph was “rich” and that he was a “disciple of Jesus.” (Matt. 27:57) The mention that he was “rich” is supported in verse 60 when Matthew tells us that the new tomb near where Jesus was laid was Joseph’s. He had made this or had paid to have it made near Jerusalem. Mark informs us that he was “a respected member of the council” (Sanhedrin) and “was also himself looking for the kingdom of God.” (Mark 15:43) Luke adds that Joseph was “a good and righteous man.” (Luke 23:50) 

The other man mentioned is Nicodemus. In case we’ve forgotten who that is, John reminds us it was Nicodemus “who earlier had come to Jesus by night.” (John 19:39 referring to John 3:1-15) If you recall, Nicodemus was a member of the Pharisees. Through his own words, Nicodemus’ confesses they recognized Jesus was “a teacher come from God.” (John 3:2) Yet, the Pharisees later cast out the man who had been born blind, given his sight by Jesus, and said regarding Jesus, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:33-34)

What is going on here? It’s entirely possible that these two men, both from groups of religious leaders are simply trying to be consistent with their religious convictions and properly bury a fellow Jew. But, when we look at the evidence from the other gospels and within John’s own book, the motivations of these men are more righteous than simply adhering to religious obligations. 

Joseph had been a secret follower of Jesus because of his fear of the other Jewish leaders. Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night, suggesting that the timing was out of the same kind of fear. While the narrative of Nicodemus’ first encounter with Jesus does not end with Nicodemus becoming any more committed to Jesus and less fearful of the reaction of his peers, John indicates to us in chapter seven that Nicodemus essentially defends Jesus among his peers. “50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:50-51) Now after Jesus has died, Nicodemus shows up in the daylight with costly materials to prepare his body for burial. 

Both of these men are prepared to make themselves ritually unclean right before the Sabbath by handling the body of a dead man and, apparently accept any criticism or persecution that might be directed at them by their peers. 

While the associations of these men were often portrayed as Jesus’ enemies, they are being brought to light as men who are moving away from that identity to one of commitment to Jesus. It would seem that John is suggesting that these two men have become or are becoming true followers of Jesus. 

I would suggest that what we can learn from this is that we cannot judge people based upon their associations and identity we see at the moment. God is at work in His way and His own timing to lead people to Jesus. Conversely, there may be some in our own religious or social context that appear to be followers of Jesus who might abandon Christ at the first sign of conflict or persecution. We need to pray the Lord will keep us faithful to Him at all times and that we will show grace and mercy to others that the Lord may bring them to committed faith in Jesus.