Joseph of Arimathea

Arimathea was a city in Judea (Luke 23:51). Joseph of Arimathea was rich man (Matt. 27:57 and a good and upright man (Luke 23:50) as well as a prominent member of “the Council” [referring to the Sanhedrin] (Mark 15:43). Although Joseph became a follower of Jesus (Matt. 27:57), he kept it a secret because he feared the Jewish leaders (John 19:38). Nevertheless, when Jesus was put on trial before the Sanhedrin, Joseph refused to consent to the Council’s decision to condemn Jesus (Luke 23:50). After Jesus’ crucifixion, Pilate released Jesus’ body to Joseph of Arimathea who, along with Nicodemus, prepared Jesus’ body for burial.