Mark 15:43 — Community Reflections

MARK 15:43 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Joseph of Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.”

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body — Joseph is identified as a Council member (a Sanhedrin member who apparently did not vote for the death sentence, or was absent — Luke 23:51 specifies he did not consent to the decision) who is waiting for the kingdom of God. He went boldly (tolmēsas): the courage is real — requesting the body of a crucified criminal from the Roman governor, publicly identifying with the executed.

Church Fathers on Mark 15:43

After the Passion and Death of Christ, the Evangelist relates His burial, saying, 'And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea.'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation

What is called 'parasceue' in Greek, is in Latin 'praeparatio'; by which name those Jews, who lived amongst Greeks, used to call the sixth day of the week, because on that day they used to prepare what was necessary for the rest of the sabbath day. Because then man was made on the sixth day, but on the seventh the Creator rested from all His work, fitly was our Saviour crucified on the sixth day, and thus fulfilled the mystery of man’s restoration.
Bede · 8th century

It it interpreted, 'taking down,' of which was Joseph, who came to take down the body of Christ from the cross.
Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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