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The burial of Jesus refers to the entombment of the body of Jesus after crucifixion, before the eve of the sabbath described in the New Testament. According to the canonical gospel narratives, he was placed in a tomb by a councillor of the sanhedrin named Joseph of Arimathea; according to , he was laid in a tomb by "the council as a whole." In art, it is often called the Entombment of Christ.


Biblical accounts

The earliest reference to a burial of Jesus is in a letter of Paul. Writing to the Corinthians around the year 54 AD, he refers to the account he had received of the death and resurrection of Jesus ("and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"). The four canonical gospels, written between 66 and 95, conclude with an extended narrative of Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, entombment, and resurrection.Powell, Mark A. ''Introducing the New Testament''. Baker Academic, 2009. They narrate how, on the evening of the Crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body, and, after
Pilate Pontius Pilate (; grc-gre, Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, ) was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of J ...
granted his request, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a tomb. According to , he was laid in a tomb by "the council as a whole." Modern scholarship emphasizes contrasting the gospel accounts, and finds the Mark portrayal more probable.


Gospel of Mark

In the
Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Mark), or simply Mark (which is also its most common form of abbreviation). is the second of the four canonical gospels and of the three synoptic Gospels. It tells of the ministry of Jesus from his baptism by John the Baptist to h ...
(the earliest of the canonical gospels), written around the years 66 and 72, Joseph of Arimathea is a member of the Jewish Council – the Sanhedrin which had condemned Jesus – who wishes to ensure that the corpse is buried in accordance with Jewish law, according to which dead bodies could not be left exposed overnight. He puts the body in a new shroud and lays it in a tomb carved into the rock.Douglas R. A. Hare, ''Mark'' (Westminster John Knox Press, 1996) page 220. The Jewish historian Josephus, writing later in the century, described how the Jews regarded this law as so important that even the bodies of crucified criminals would be taken down and buried before sunset. In this account, Joseph does only the bare minimum needed for observance of the law, wrapping the body in a cloth, with no mention of washing or anointing it. This may explain why Mark mentions an event prior to the crucifixion in which a woman pours perfume over Jesus. Jesus is thereby prepared for burial even before his death.


Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew was written around the years 80 to 85, using the Gospel of Mark as a source. In this account Joseph of Arimathea is not referenced as a member of the Sanhedrin, but a wealthy disciple of Jesus.Donald Senior, ''The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew'' (Liturgical Press, 1990) page 151. Many interpreters have read this as a subtle orientation by the author towards wealthy supporters, while others believe this is a fulfillment of prophecy from Isaiah 53:9:
"And they made his grave with the wicked, And with the rich his tomb; Although he had done no violence, Neither was any deceit in his mouth."
This version suggests a more honourable burial: Joseph wraps the body in a clean shroud and places it in his own tomb, and the word used is ''soma'' (body) rather than ''ptoma'' (corpse). The author adds that the Roman authorities "made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard."


Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Mark is also a source for the account given in the Gospel of Luke, written around the year 90–95. As in the Markan version, Joseph is described as a member of the Sanhedrin, but as not having agreed with the Sanhedrin's decision regarding Jesus; he is said to have been "waiting for the kingdom of God" rather than a disciple of Jesus.


Gospel of John

The Gospel of John, the last of the gospels, was written around the years 80 to 90, and it depicts Joseph as a disciple who gives Jesus an honourable burial. John says that Joseph was assisted in the burial process by Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of
myrrh Myrrh (; from Semitic, but see '' § Etymology'') is a gum-resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus ''Commiphora''. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine. Myrrh mi ...
and
aloes Agarwood, aloeswood, eaglewood or gharuwood is a fragrant dark resinous wood used in incense, perfume, and small carvings. This resinous wood is most commonly referred to as "Oud" or "Oudh". It is formed in the heartwood of aquilaria trees when ...
and included these spices in the burial cloth according to Jewish customs.


Comparison

The comparison below is based on the ''
New International Version The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The ''NIV'' was created as a modern translation, by Bible scholars using the earliest an ...
''.


In non-canonical literature

The
apocryphal Apocrypha are works, usually written, of unknown authorship or of doubtful origin. The word ''apocryphal'' (ἀπόκρυφος) was first applied to writings which were kept secret because they were the vehicles of esoteric knowledge considered ...
manuscript known as the Gospel of Peter states that the Jews handed over the body of Jesus to Joseph, who later washes him then buries him in a place called "Joseph's Garden".


Historicity

Scholars differ on the historicity of the burial story, and the question if Jesus received a decent burial. Points of contention are if Jesus' body was taken off the cross before sunset, or left on the cross to decay; if his body was taken off the cross and buried specifically by Joseph of Arimathea, or by the Sanhedrin or a group of Jews in general; and if he was entombed, and if so, what kind if tomb, or if he was buried in a common grave. An argument in favor of a decent burial before sunset is the Jewish custom, based on the Torah, that the body of an executed person should not remain on the tree were the corpse was hung for public display, but be buried before sunrise. This is based on , but also attested in the Temple Scroll of the Essenes, and in Josephus' ''Jewish War'' 4.5.2§317, describing the burial of crucufied Jewish insurgents before sunset. Reference is also made to the Digesta, a Roman Law Code from the 6th century AD, which contains material from the 2nd century AD stating that "the bodies of those who have been punished are only buried when this has been requested and permission granted." Burial of people who were executed by crucifixion is also attested by archaeological finds from Yehohanan, of a body with a nail in the heel which could not be removed.
Martin Hengel Martin Hengel (14 December 1926 – 2 July 2009) was a German historian of religion, focusing on the "Second Temple Period" or "Hellenistic Period" of early Judaism and Christianity. Biography Hengel was born in Reutlingen, south of Stuttgart, i ...
argued that Jesus was buried in disgrace as an executed criminal who died a shameful death, a view which is "now widely accepted and has become entrenched in scholarly literature." John Dominic Crossan argued that Jesus followers did not know what happened to the body. According to Crossan, Joseph of Arimathea is "a total Markan creation in name, in place, and in function," arguing that Jesus' followers inferred from Deut. 21:22-23 that Jesus was buried by a group of law-abiding Jews, as described in Acts 13:29. This story was adapted by Mark, turning the group of Jews into a specfic person. What really happened may be deduced from customary Roman practice, which was to leave the body on the stake, denying a honorable or family burial, famously stating that "the dogs were waiting." British New Testament scholar Maurice Casey also notes that "Jewish criminals were supposed to receive a shameful and dishonourable burial," quoting Josephus: Casey argues that Jesus was indeed buried by Joseph of Arimathea, but in a tomb for criminals owned by the Sanhedrin. He therefore rejects the empty tomb narrative as legendary. New Testament historian
Bart D. Ehrman Bart Denton Ehrman (born 1955) is an American New Testament scholar focusing on textual criticism of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books, including t ...
also concludes that we don't know what happened to Jesus' body, but doubts it that Jesus's had a decent burial, and also thinks that is doubtful that Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea specifically. Ehrman notes that Acts 13 refers to the Sanhedrin as a whole putting Jesus' body in a tomb, not a single member. According to Ehrman, the story may have been embellished and become more detailed, and "what was originally a vague statement that the unnamed Jewish leaders buried Jesus becomes a story of one leader in particular, who is named, doing so." Ehrman gives three reasons for doubting a decent burial. He notes that "Sometimes Christian apologists argue that Jesus had to be taken off the cross before sunset on Friday because the next day was the Sabbath and it was against Jewish law, or at least Jewish sensitivities, to allow a person to remain on the cross during the Sabbath. Unfortunately, the historical record suggests just the opposite." Referring to Hengel and Crossan, Ehrman argues that crucifixion was meant "to torture and humiliate a person as fully as possible," and the body was normally left on the stake to be eaten by animals. Ehrman further argues that criminals were usually buried in common graves; and Pilate had no concern for Jewish sensitivities, which makes it unlikely that he would have allowed for Jesus to be buried. A number of Christian authors have rejected the criticisms, taking the Gospel-accounts to be historically reliable.
John A.T. Robinson John Arthur Thomas Robinson (16 May 1919 – 5 December 1983) was an English New Testament scholar, author and the Anglican Bishop of Woolwich. He was a lecturer at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later Dean of Trinity College until his death in ...
states that "the burial of Jesus in the tomb is one of the earliest and best-attested facts about Jesus." Dale Allison, reviewing the arguments of Crossan and Ehrman, finds this assertion to strong, but "find it likely that a man named Joseph, probably a Sanhedrist, from the obscure Arimathea, sought and obtained permission from the Roman authorities to make arrangements for Jesus’ hurried burial."
Raymond E. Brown Raymond Edward Brown (May 22, 1928 – August 8, 1998) was an American Sulpician priest and prominent biblical scholar. He was regarded as a specialist concerning the hypothetical "Johannine community", which he speculated contributed to the au ...
, writing in 1973 before the publications of Hengel and Crossan, mentions that a number of authors have argued for a burial in a common grave, but argues that the body of Jesus was buried in a new tomb by Joseph of Arimathea in accordance with
Mosaic Law The Law of Moses ( he, תֹּורַת מֹשֶׁה ), also called the Mosaic Law, primarily refers to the Torah or the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. The law revealed to Moses by God. Terminology The Law of Moses or Torah of Moses (Hebrew ...
, which stated that a person hanged on a tree must not be allowed to remain there at night, but should be buried before sundown. James Dunn dismisses the criticisms, stating that "the tradition is firm that Jesus was given a proper burial (Mark 15.42-47 pars.), and there are good reasons why its testimony should be respected." Dunn argues that the burial tradition is "one of the oldest pieces of tradition we have," referring to 1 Cor. 15.4; burial was in line with Jewish custom as prescribed by Deut. 21.22-23 and confirmed by Josephus ''War''; cases of burial of crucified persons are known, as attested by the Yehohanan burial; Joseph of Arimathea "is a very plausible historical character"; and "the presence of the women at the cross and their involvement in Jesus' burial can be attributed more plausibly to early oral memory than to creative story-telling." N. T. Wright argues that the burial of Christ is part of the earliest gospel traditions. Craig A. Evans refers to Deut. 21:22-23 and Josephus, to argue that the entombment of Jesus accords with Jewish sensitivities and historcal reality.


Theological significance

Paul the Apostle Paul; grc, Παῦλος, translit=Paulos; cop, ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ; hbo, פאולוס השליח (previously called Saul of Tarsus;; ar, بولس الطرسوسي; grc, Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, Saũlos Tarseús; tr, Tarsuslu Pavlus; ...
includes the burial in his statement of the gospel in verses 3 and 4 of
1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Sosthenes in Ephesus. The first eleven verses contain the earliest account o ...
: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" ( KJV). This appears to be an early pre-Pauline credal statement. The burial of Christ is specifically mentioned in the Apostles' Creed, where it says that Jesus was " crucified, dead, and buried." The
Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), one of the Three Forms of Unity, is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Calvinist Christian doctrine. It was published in 1563 in Heidelberg, ...
asks "Why was he buried?" and gives the answer "His burial testified that He had really died." The
Catechism of the Catholic Church The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' ( la, Catechismus Catholicae Ecclesiae; commonly called the ''Catechism'' or the ''CCC'') is a catechism promulgated for the Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It aims to summarize, in book for ...
states that, "It is the mystery of Holy Saturday, when Christ, lying in the tomb, reveals God's great sabbath rest after the fulfillment of man's salvation, which brings peace to the whole universe" and that "Christ's stay in the tomb constitutes the real link between his passible state before Easter and his glorious and risen state today."


Depiction in art

The Entombment of Christ has been a popular subject in art, being developed in Western Europe in the 10th century. It appears in cycles of the ''
Life of Christ The life of Jesus in the New Testament is primarily outlined in the four canonical gospels, which includes his genealogy and Nativity of Jesus, nativity, Ministry of Jesus, public ministry, Passion of Jesus, passion, prophecy, Resurrection of ...
'', where it follows the
Deposition of Christ The Descent from the Cross ( el, Ἀποκαθήλωσις, ''Apokathelosis''), or Deposition of Christ, is the scene, as depicted in art, from the Gospels' accounts of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking Christ down from the cross after hi ...
or the Lamentation of Christ. Since the Renaissance, it has sometimes been combined or conflated with one of these. Notable individual works with articles include: * ''The Entombment'' (Bouts, c. 1450s) * ''Lamentation of Christ'' (Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1460–1463) * ''The Entombment'' (Michelangelo, c. 1500–01) * ''The Deposition'' (Raphael, 1507) * ''The Entombment'' (Titian, 1525) * ''The Entombment'' (Titian, 1559) * ''The Entombment of Christ'' (Caravaggio, 1603–04) * ''Veiled Christ'' (Sanmartino, 1753)


Use in hymnody

The
African-American spiritual Spirituals (also known as Negro spirituals, African American spirituals, Black spirituals, or spiritual music) is a genre of Christian music that is associated with Black Americans, which merged sub-Saharan African cultural heritage with the ...
''Were you there?'' has the line "Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb?" while the Christmas carol '' We Three Kings'' includes the
verse Verse may refer to: Poetry * Verse, an occasional synonym for poetry * Verse, a metrical structure, a stanza * Blank verse, a type of poetry having regular meter but no rhyme * Free verse, a type of poetry written without the use of strict me ...
:
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
John Wilbur Chapman John Wilbur Chapman (June 17, 1859, Richmond, Indiana – December 25, 1918, New York, New York) was a Presbyterian evangelist in the late 19th century, generally traveling with gospel singer Charles Alexander. His parents were Alexander H. ...
's hymn "One Day" interprets the burial of Christ by saying "Buried, He carried my sins far away." In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the following troparion is sung on Holy Saturday:
The noble Joseph, when he had taken down Thy most pure body from the tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb.


Artistic depictions

File:SAAM-1956.11.62 1.jpg, Entombment of Christ, 15th century, Belgium File:Iesvs Nazarenevs Rex Ivdaeorvm.jpg, Henry Augustin Valentin after Hans Holbein the Younger,
Iesvs Nazarenevs Rex Ivdaeorvm
', 19th century, etching


See also

* Tomb of Jesus, multiple sites purported to be Christ's burial place * Descent from the Cross * Empty tomb *
Epitaphios (liturgy) The Epitaphios (Greek: Ἐπιτάφιος, ''epitáphios'', or Ἐπιτάφιον, ''epitáphion''; Slavonic: Плащаница, ''plashchanitsa''; Arabic: نعش, ''naash'') is a Christian religious icon, typically consisting of a large ...
* Life of Jesus in the New Testament * Harrowing of Hell


Notes


References


Sources

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{Authority control Stations of the Cross