Mark 15:43

43 Joseph from Arimathea dared to approach Pilate and ask for Jesus' body. (Joseph was a prominent council member who also eagerly anticipated the coming of God's kingdom.)

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 When Jesus was in Galilee, these women had followed and supported him, along with many other women who had come to Jerusalem with him.

42 Since it was late in the afternoon on Preparation Day, just before the Sabbath,

43 Joseph from Arimathea dared to approach Pilate and ask for Jesus' body. (Joseph was a prominent council member who also eagerly anticipated the coming of God's kingdom.)

44 Pilate wondered if Jesus was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him whether Jesus had already died.

45 When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate gave the dead body to Joseph.