Mark 15:43

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable councillor, who also himself was awaiting the kingdom of God, coming, emboldened himself and went in to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

Mark 15:43 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 15:43

Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor
A man of a good aspect, well dressed, and that behaved well and honourably in his office, as a counsellor: he seems to have been a priest, and one of the bench of priests that sat in the high priest's chamber, which is called, (yjwwlb tkvl) , "the chamber of the counsellors" ^F4; with whom he advised there, in matters of moment:

which also waited for the kingdom of God;
for the coming and kingdom of the Messiah, for the Gospel dispensation, the world to come, the Jews were so much in expectation of.

Came and went in boldly unto Pilate;
not now ashamed of Christ, or afraid openly to appear in his cause, and declare himself a lover of him, a believer in him, and a disciple of his, though he formerly was:

and craved the body of Jesus;
desired leave to take it down from the cross, and bury it; (See Gill on Matthew 27:58).

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 3. 2. & Hieros. Yoma, fol. 38. 3.

Mark 15:43 In-Context

41 who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him and ministered to him; and many others who came up with him to Jerusalem.

42 And when it was already evening, since it was [the] preparation, that is, [the day] before a sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable councillor, who also himself was awaiting the kingdom of God, coming, emboldened himself and went in to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and having called to [him] the centurion, he inquired of him if he had long died.

45 And when he knew from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.