John 19:38
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.
Original Language Analysis
Μετὰ
after
G3326
Μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 40
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
10 of 40
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
15 of 40
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
18 of 40
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἦρεν
he might take away
G142
ἦρεν
he might take away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
24 of 40
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
the body
G4983
σῶμα
the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
26 of 40
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
28 of 40
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
31 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἦλθεν
He came
G2064
ἦλθεν
He came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
33 of 40
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
34 of 40
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
35 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἦρεν
he might take away
G142
ἦρεν
he might take away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
36 of 40
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
37 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
the body
G4983
σῶμα
the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
38 of 40
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Historical Context
Arimathea was likely Ramathaim-zophim, Samuel's birthplace (1 Samuel 1:1), about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem. As a wealthy Sanhedrin member (Luke 23:50), Joseph had resources and influence to request the body and provide burial. Roman law typically allowed families to claim crucifixion victims' bodies; Pilate's permission shows respect for Joseph's status.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Joseph's transformation from 'secret disciple' to public confessor demonstrate that crisis can strengthen rather than destroy faith?
- What modern forms of 'secret discipleship' do Christians practice to avoid social or professional cost?
- How did providing an honorable burial for Jesus demonstrate both love for Christ and courage to associate with a condemned criminal?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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 (Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἠρώτησεν τὸν Πιλᾶτον Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἁριμαθαίας, ὢν μαθητὴς τοῦ Ἰησοῦ κεκρυμμένος δὲ διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ· καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν ὁ Πιλᾶτος, Meta de tauta ērōtēsen ton Pilaton Iōsēph ho apo Harimathaias, ōn mathētēs tou Iēsou kekrymmenos de dia ton phobon tōn Ioudaiōn, hina arē to sōma tou Iēsou· kai epetrepsen ho Pilatos)—Joseph was μαθητὴς...κεκρυμμένος (mathētēs...kekrymmenos, 'a disciple...hidden') διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων (dia ton phobon tōn Ioudaiōn, 'because of the fear of the Jews'). Yet crisis prompted courage: he openly requested Jesus's body. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus—Joseph's public action 'outed' him as Jesus's follower, risking his Sanhedrin position (Mark 15:43 identifies him as 'an honourable counsellor').
Fear had kept Joseph secret, but Jesus's death catalyzed courageous faith. Sometimes God allows crisis to move secret disciples to public confession. Joseph's costly obedience—risking reputation, position, ritual defilement—demonstrates transformative faith. His unused tomb (Matthew 27:60) fulfilled Isaiah 53:9: 'with the rich in his death.'