seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Mark 15:42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.
Oh, I have questions about what Mark has written here. I know he wasn't there, but he's confusing me some.First of all, I have to remember that Mark must have written this Gospel from interviews and cross talk. Mark was not an Apostle, or a working disciple. He will become a part of the story when/if we get to the Book of Acts. He will cause a kerfuffle between Paul and Barnabas. But I am glad he wrote his version of the workings of the Mission he would join after the Resurrection.
First off, there is a running question about the calendar and the three days and nights. Verse 42 tells us it was Friday when Jesus was hung on the cross. He was hung on the cross at about 9AM according to the Mark. He let out a loud cry and died at about 3PM. He had to be in the tomb before the start of Sabbath. No work could be done on the Sabbath. Lugging that body would be work.
Leviticus 23:32 32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath.”
So there was only time for him to be undressed and covered in linen and laid on a rock table. He would not be embalmed. He would not be encased. There was no time.Now look at verse 43. Joseph was "waiting for the kingdom of God". I couldn't really figure that one out. Why make a big deal out of "waiting for the kingdom of God". I really didn't understand, so I binged it. Joseph was a rich man, apparently, he was up there in the church too, maybe even taking on some priestly duties. At any rate, he probably had to keep his support for Jesus quiet. Going to Pilate would have been political suicide. Rich men can't afford political suicide. Greasing the wheels of the government is important when a rich man has a lot of projects going.
It surprised Pilate that Jesus was already dead. I guess most fought harder because they were given drugs, which Jesus denied. Jesus had work to do, He had to be dead and in the tomb before the Sabbath.
Now look at verse 46. Joseph bought all the supplies. Boy that was quick!
Now look at the next sentence in verse 46. He rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. See, Mark was not there. It would have been impossible for one man to roll a boulder, big enough to cover a hole the proper size to hold a body and those who would work on the body during embalming. AND Mark doesn't mention the armed guard that was assigned to the tomb. My guess is.... he paid someone to roll the stone... so he got it done, which Mark could say, was the same as doing it himself.
Mark does tell us which women were there and saw all this. Mary Magdelana and Mary, the mother of two of the other disciples [the two many incorrectly identify as the brothers of Jesus]. They must have told Mark what they saw. Salome isn't mentioned. He must not have interviewed her about the burial.
Jesus was in the tomb by sundown Friday evening.
