38 Later Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus. But he followed Jesus secretly because he was afraid of the Jews. After Pilate gave him permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
39
Nicodemus went with Joseph. He was the man who had earlier visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought some mixed spices, about 75 pounds.
40
The two men took Jesus' body. They wrapped it in strips of linen cloth, along with the spices. That was the way the Jews buried people's bodies.
41
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden. A new tomb was there. No one had ever been put in it before.
42
That day was the Jewish Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby. So they placed Jesus there.