Tall Timbers
Imperfect but forgiven
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were followers of Jesus, though they had to keep that a bit secret due to their positions.
At one point in John 7:52, after Nicodemus had tried to persuade some religious leaders to listen to what Jesus had to say, the response was: “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
Did Joseph and Nicodemus, having access to the sacred scrolls study the Scripture relevant to the Messiah and come to know before Jesus's crucifixion that Jesus, Son of God, had to die?
Joseph of Arimathea had purchased a new tomb that just happened to be located near Golgotha. Back then, wasn't the way of things that people were buried in family tombs located where they were from? Is it possible that Joseph actually purchased and prepared the tomb near Golgotha knowing that he could bury Jesus there, and fulfill prophecy?: Isaiah 53:9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
Joseph, having been a secret Believer, upon Jesus's death became bold and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. His request was granted.
John 19:38-42 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Is it possible that Joseph and Nicodemus, before Jesus was arrested, had come to understand that He must die? Did Joseph of Arimathea actually purchase and prepare that tomb specifically for Jesus? What rich man in that era would purchase a tomb for himself away from where he was from, and why would Joseph buy and prepare a tomb so near Golgotha, the notorious place where the Romans regularly crucified people?
This thought is purely speculatory, but something that I considered during a Bible study I participated in yesterday.
At one point in John 7:52, after Nicodemus had tried to persuade some religious leaders to listen to what Jesus had to say, the response was: “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
Did Joseph and Nicodemus, having access to the sacred scrolls study the Scripture relevant to the Messiah and come to know before Jesus's crucifixion that Jesus, Son of God, had to die?
Joseph of Arimathea had purchased a new tomb that just happened to be located near Golgotha. Back then, wasn't the way of things that people were buried in family tombs located where they were from? Is it possible that Joseph actually purchased and prepared the tomb near Golgotha knowing that he could bury Jesus there, and fulfill prophecy?: Isaiah 53:9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
Joseph, having been a secret Believer, upon Jesus's death became bold and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. His request was granted.
John 19:38-42 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Is it possible that Joseph and Nicodemus, before Jesus was arrested, had come to understand that He must die? Did Joseph of Arimathea actually purchase and prepare that tomb specifically for Jesus? What rich man in that era would purchase a tomb for himself away from where he was from, and why would Joseph buy and prepare a tomb so near Golgotha, the notorious place where the Romans regularly crucified people?
This thought is purely speculatory, but something that I considered during a Bible study I participated in yesterday.
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