Wednesday in The Word for April 16, 2025

Mark 15:42-47

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.

45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

Context

• Why is the burial of Jesus so important? (Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 12:40, Mark 10:34, 1 Corinthians 15:3)

Refection

1. What do we know about Joseph? (Matthew 27:57, Luke 23:51, John 19:38) What did this ‘secret disciple’ risk by coming out in the open? (Mark 15:43, John 9:22, 12:42)
2. Why did he get Pilate’s permission? Why was Pilate surprised by the suddenness of Jesus’s death? (Proverbs 21:1, Mark 15:44, 45)
3. What would it have been like to take down the body of Jesus? Why the hurry? (Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Mark 15:42, John 19:31)
4. What’s significant about the women being involved in this process? (Mark 15:40, 41, 47, Luke 8:2, 3)

Testimony Time

1. When did you ‘come out’ into the open with your faith?
2. How have you been buried with Christ & raised to new life? (Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 15:52-45, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 2:12)