Bible Strands
John 19:38
Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joseph of Arimathea, described as a disciple who acted secretly due to fear of Jewish authorities, approaches Pontius Pilate immediately following the crucifixion to request Jesus’ body. Pilate grants the permission, and Joseph proceeds to take the corpse down.
The words — The Greek ἠρώτησεν (ērōtēsen) literally means "asked" or "requested," denoting a formal petition to Roman power. The demonstrative ταῦτα (tauta), rendered "these things," anchors the action to the immediate aftermath of the preceding events.
The thread — This burial request aligns with the parallel accounts in Matthew 27:57 and Mark 15:42, where evening arrives and Joseph secures the body before the Sabbath. The narrative also connects to the fulfillment pattern cited in John 19:37 regarding the pierced one.
Why it lands — The text states that Joseph requested and received permission to remove the body, establishing the physical reality of the burial. The reader must observe that the account records the action without commentary on the disciple’s earlier concealment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And 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.
Cross-references
- Mark 15:42 Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath),
- Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
- Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus.
- Luke 23:50 Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,
- John 7:13 Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.
- Philippians 1:14 And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.
- John 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
- John 12:42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.