Who was Joseph of Arimathea?

There is a legend which claims he brought the Holy Grail to Britain – the cup Christ used at the Last Supper – and also founded the first Christian settlement there in 63AD. Neither claim has any solid support in the historical record so what we know of Joseph comes from the Bible.

Mark reveals some important facts about him. He was an important and wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, a group of 70 men responsible for Jewish civil and religious matters. It was an extremely powerful body – even under the Romans – and once appointed, it was usually for life. At the time of Jesus’ trial by the Sanhedrin, when it came to vote to condemn Him to death, Luke mentions that Joseph didn’t vote in favour of this action. (Luke explains he did this because he was a genuinely good man with an impartial, fair minded sense of justice.)

We are told Joseph was looking forward with eager expectation to the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom which is probably why he was drawn to the teachings of Jesus. As a genuine seeker of truth, he became His disciple, although John points out that because of the fear of man, he followed Jesus secretly.

It’s this last point which underlines the significance of his seeking permission to give Jesus a decent burial.  Under Roman law, such a burial was denied to a condemned criminal and the body was the official property of Rome. Pilate is under no compulsion to grant the request, and in seeking it, Joseph is publicly identifying himself with an enemy of the Empire. It’s an incredible act of courage by Joseph and he has nothing to gain from it.

Nevertheless, he steps forward and asks.

Joseph is never condemned for being a “secret disciple”, but every Gospel writer mentions the fact he asked Pilate for permission to bury Jesus, and in doing so, he nailed his colours forever to the mast of Jesus.

Perhaps it’s time for you to do the same.

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 15:38-39