Matthew 27:57
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
Original Language Analysis
Ὀψίας
the even
G3798
Ὀψίας
the even
Strong's:
G3798
Word #:
1 of 16
late; feminine (as noun) afternoon (early eve) or nightfall (later eve)
γενομένης
was come
G1096
γενομένης
was come
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 16
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἦλθεν
there came
G2064
ἦλθεν
there came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 16
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 16
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸς
himself
G846
αὐτὸς
himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐμαθήτευσεν
disciple
G3100
ἐμαθήτευσεν
disciple
Strong's:
G3100
Word #:
14 of 16
intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e., enrol as scholar
Historical Context
Jewish law required burial before sundown (Deuteronomy 21:23). Crucified criminals normally remained on crosses for days and were buried in common graves. Joseph's intervention was both religiously necessary (to avoid defiling the Sabbath and Passover) and personally costly—he risked ritual defilement, career destruction, and Roman suspicion.
Questions for Reflection
- What caused Joseph to finally go public with his discipleship after remaining secret for so long?
- How does Joseph's costly identification with Jesus challenge comfortable, secret Christianity today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When the even was come (ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης)—the evening before Sabbath began at sundown, creating urgency to complete burial. A rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph—fulfilling Isaiah 53:9, 'with the rich in his death.' Joseph was a Sanhedrin member (Luke 23:50-51) who had not consented to Jesus' condemnation, and secretly a disciple (μαθητής) of Jesus.
His wealth enabled him to own a tomb; his status as Sanhedrin member gave him access to Pilate. God providentially placed this man to ensure Jesus received honorable burial rather than the criminals' mass grave at Golgotha. Joseph's courage—publicly identifying with a condemned criminal—cost him his Sanhedrin seat and social standing, embodying Jesus' call to 'take up your cross' (Matthew 16:24).