Matthew 27:57-61

Matthew 27:57-61

[57] When  the even  was come,  there came  a rich  man  of  Arimathaea,  named  Joseph,  who  also  himself  Jesus'  disciple:  [58] He  went  to Pilate,  and begged  the body  of Jesus.  Then  Pilate  commanded  the body  to be delivered.  [59] And  when Joseph  had taken  the body,  he wrapped  it  in a clean  linen cloth,  [60] And  laid  it  in  his own  new  tomb,  which  he had hewn out  in  the rock:  and  he rolled  a great  stone  to the door  of the sepulchre,  and departed.  [61] And  there  Mary  Magdalene,  and  the other  Mary,  sitting  over against  the sepulchre. 

What does Matthew 27:57-61 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Normally the Romans let the bodies of crucified criminals rot on their crosses without burial. If family members wanted to bury a crucified loved one, they had to apply for permission to do so. The Romans usually granted these requests with the exception of criminals who had committed high treason. The Jews, however, did not want dead corpses to remain unburied overnight ( Deuteronomy 21:22-23).