Mark 15:43 kjv
Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Mark 15:43 nkjv
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.
Mark 15:43 niv
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.
Mark 15:43 esv
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Mark 15:43 nlt
Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
Mark 15 43 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 27:57-60 | "When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea... asked for the body..." | Joseph, rich, asks Pilate. |
| Lk 23:50-53 | "Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council... he had not consented to their decision..." | Joseph as righteous, not agreeing with Sanhedrin. |
| Jn 19:38-42 | "After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate..." | Joseph as a secret disciple due to fear. |
| Isa 53:9 | "And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death..." | Prophecy of burial with the rich. |
| Mk 1:14-15 | "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'" | Jesus' central message about the Kingdom. |
| Lk 2:25 | "Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel..." | Simeon also waited for God's Kingdom. |
| Lk 2:38 | "And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem." | Anna also waited for redemption/Kingdom. |
| Mk 10:15 | "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." | Nature of receiving the Kingdom. |
| Dan 2:44 | "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed..." | Old Testament prophecy of God's eternal Kingdom. |
| Acts 4:13 | "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished..." | Apostolic boldness despite risks. |
| Acts 4:29 | "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness..." | Prayer for boldness. |
| Phil 1:20 | "as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body..." | Courage in confessing Christ. |
| Prov 29:25 | "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." | Contrasts human fear with trust in God. |
| Deut 21:22-23 | "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death... his body shall not remain all night on the tree but you shall bury him the same day..." | Jewish law for burial after execution. |
| Jn 12:42-43 | "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess him... for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." | Many, including leaders, believed secretly. |
| Acts 7:54-60 | "When they heard these things they were enraged... Stephen... said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'... then they cast him out of the city and stoned him." | Stephen's bold confession to the Sanhedrin. |
| 1 Cor 15:3-4 | "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day..." | Burial is integral to the Gospel message. |
| Psa 16:10 | "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." | Prophetic indication of a body not decaying (points to resurrection). |
| Mk 14:64 | "You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" And they all condemned him as deserving death." | Sanhedrin's decision to condemn Jesus. |
| Jn 3:1-2 | "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews... came to Jesus by night..." | Another secret Jewish ruler seeking Jesus. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." | Divine empowerment against fear. |
| Eph 6:19 | "and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..." | Paul praying for boldness in proclamation. |
Mark 15 verses
Mark 15 43 Meaning
Mark 15:43 describes Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Jewish supreme court, the Sanhedrin, who despite being a secret disciple waiting for God's promised Kingdom, took the extraordinary risk of approaching Pontius Pilate with courage and requested the body of Jesus for burial. This act was deeply significant as it defied fear and identified Joseph publicly with the crucified Christ, fulfilling prophecy and ensuring Jesus received a dignified burial.
Mark 15 43 Context
Mark chapter 15 vividly recounts the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The verse (15:43) immediately follows Jesus' last breath on the cross (15:37) and the significant tearing of the temple veil (15:38), which symbolized direct access to God. The centurion's confession of Jesus' divine Sonship (15:39) also precedes Joseph's appearance. Historically, it was crucial for executed bodies to be buried before nightfall, especially for Jewish people, due to the Law (Deut 21:22-23) and the approach of the Sabbath (Jn 19:31). Typically, crucified bodies were left to decompose or buried in common graves, unless special permission was granted. Joseph's request, therefore, was timely, necessary for a proper Jewish burial, and potentially hazardous due to his association with a condemned 'criminal'.
Mark 15 43 Word analysis
- Joseph (Ἰωσήφ - Iōsēph): A common Jewish name. In all Gospels, he is identified by his hometown, distinguishing him. His character, as further elaborated in Lk 23:50-51, points to him being a good, upright man who disagreed with the Sanhedrin's condemnation of Jesus.
- of Arimathea: A town in Judea, likely modern-day Rentis, the ancestral home of the prophet Samuel according to some traditions. Identifying him by his place of origin establishes his earthly roots.
- a prominent member (εὐσχήμων βουλευτής - euschémon bouleutēs):
- εὐσχήμων (euschémon): "Prominent," "honorable," "respectable," "well-to-do," indicating social standing and possibly wealth.
- βουλευτής (bouleutēs): "Counselor," referring to a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme legal and spiritual council. This is critical, as the Sanhedrin had collectively condemned Jesus. Joseph's membership implies deep religious knowledge and societal influence, making his later actions especially striking.
- who was himself waiting (προσδεχόμενος - prosdechomenos) for the kingdom of God:
- προσδεχόμενος (prosdechomenos): Present participle, meaning "continually waiting for," "expecting," "receiving towards oneself." It implies an active anticipation, a steadfast hope for the arrival or full manifestation of God's sovereign rule.
- for the kingdom of God: Refers to the rule and reign of God, both present in Jesus' ministry and yet to be fully revealed. For a first-century Jew, this primarily entailed the anticipated Messianic era, the restoration of Israel's glory under a divine King. This reveals Joseph's faith and Messianic expectation, connecting him to others who similarly waited, like Simeon and Anna.
- went boldly (τολμήσας - tolmēsas):
- τολμήσας (tolmēsas): Aorist participle from tolmaō, meaning "to dare," "to be courageous," "to venture," "to take courage." It underscores the audacity and courage of his action. To approach Pilate directly, especially as a Jewish leader asking for the body of a publicly condemned 'criminal' who was crucified for sedition, was a huge risk to his reputation, standing, and potentially his life. This was not a tentative request but a courageous, direct confrontation of authority.
- to Pilate: Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor (prefect) of Judea, known for his harsh rule and political expediency. His authority was absolute, and directly addressing him was not for the faint of heart.
- and asked for Jesus' body: The direct and explicit request. This was crucial for a proper burial, which was religiously and culturally significant. The lack of burial was a disgrace, preventing entrance into a shared tomb or family plot. Joseph's action prevented such a dishonor.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin": This phrase immediately establishes Joseph's identity, his significant social standing, and his potentially conflicting position as a member of the ruling body that condemned Jesus. It sets up the courageous act to follow.
- "who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God": This clarifies Joseph's core spiritual identity and motivation. He was not a random benefactor but one who shared the eschatological hope for God's divine rule. This deep theological hope fueled his extraordinary act of daring faith.
- "went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body": This concise statement encapsulates the act of faith and courage. "Boldly" emphasizes the risk and the contrast with other fearful disciples. His initiative directly challenged conventional behavior, asserting care and honor for the deceased Jesus, a deeply risky identification in the volatile Roman-Jewish context. This ensured Jesus received a burial in keeping with Jewish custom and prophecy.
Mark 15 43 Bonus section
Joseph of Arimathea is a powerful example of a "secret disciple" who emerges into bold public action at a critical moment. John 19:38 adds that he was "secretly" a disciple "for fear of the Jews," a common caution among those in authority who believed in Jesus (Jn 12:42). However, in Jesus' death, Joseph overcame that fear, perhaps realizing that his opportunity to act was now or never. This bold move contrasted sharply with the fearful and scattered disciples, demonstrating that sometimes faith blooms most vibrantly under extreme pressure. His act was not only a logistical necessity for the burial but a testament to a faith that ultimately prioritizes honor to Christ over personal safety or social standing. The care for Jesus' body also prefigures the resurrection, emphasizing the tangibility of the buried body that would later rise.
Mark 15 43 Commentary
Mark 15:43 introduces Joseph of Arimathea, a figure of profound significance in the passion narrative. His actions immediately following Jesus' death demonstrate remarkable faith and courage at a time when most of Jesus' public followers had fled or were in hiding, consumed by fear. As a distinguished Sanhedrin member, Joseph risked everything—his reputation, status, and safety—by openly associating with a crucified man who had been condemned by his own council. This act underscores that true faith may manifest in quiet anticipation ("waiting for the kingdom of God") but is called to courageous public declaration ("went boldly to Pilate") when God's timing demands. Joseph's dignified request for Jesus' body prevented its dishonorable disposal and ensured a burial fulfilling Isaiah 53:9, placing Jesus in a rich man's tomb. His courage provided for the proper observance of Jewish law regarding burial before Sabbath, and it also set the stage for the physical resurrection, confirming that the tomb was not a mass grave. Joseph exemplifies a practical and courageous demonstration of faith, identifying with Christ even in death.