Bible Study series: Luke 23:50-56. Women followed and observed. Other than Jesus, they’re the heroes of the Passion Narrative.
Friendly greetings and a warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn, so let’s learn together.
I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click here:
In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Luke 23:50-56
50 Then, observe. A man named Joseph, being a councilman, a good and righteous man 51 (he did not consent to their plot and action) from Arimathea, a town of the Jews, who was expecting the kingdom of God, 52 approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 After he took it down, he wrapped it with fine linen and placed him in a rock-carved tomb, where no one had been lain.
54 It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing close. 55 The women who had traveled with him from Galilee followed along behind and saw the tomb and how his body was placed there. 56 They returned and prepared perfume and ointment. Then they rested on the Sabbath, according to the law. (Luke 23:50-56)
Comments:
50:
Joseph was a good and righteous man. One way we can know he was good and righteous is that he did not agree with the Sanhedrin’s plot and action to execute Jesus.
Believe it or not, people can be good and righteous by their social behavior. Their goodness and righteousness do not save them, but their external behavior can please God because they keep the peace and harmony in society. Paul wrote that according to law keeping, he too was blameless and was surpassing those of his age in zeal, before he was saved (Phil. 3:5-7). But he counted all his righteousness based on those works as a dung pile and turned his faith towards Jesus Christ. His righteousness did not come on his own, but by faith in Christ Jesus (3:9-10). Who knows? Maybe Jesus, after his resurrection, appeared to him and thanked him for his kindness with his body. But the Bible is silent about this.
51:
Arimathea: the exact location remains unknown (BTSB on Luke 23:51), but the best guess is Ramathaim, the birthplace of the prophet Samuel, northwest of Lydda (Carson in his commentary on Matthew and Bock, p. 1873-74). You can google these locations.
Joseph was expecting or waiting for the kingdom of God (see v. 42 for more discussion of the kingdom of God). This expands the definition of why he was considered a good and righteous man. He probably did not know what the kingdom really was, but he sensed that Jesus was the main source of it. Now what would happen to his kingdom expectation? He may have not considered the resurrection, so his hopes must have crashed and burned. Yet, he had the courage to get the body.
52:
Speaking of courage, Joseph approached Pilate and asked for the body. Pilate must have considered. Did the governor shake his head in disappointment that he got involved in the whole sorry “trial”? Or did he just say yes and told Joseph to go? If his heart was softened, then he probably did say something about the recent events.
53:
No doubt he had his servants take down the cross and level it on the ground, the lifeless body moving, the head bobbing with the descent of the cross. Then Joseph ordered his servants to unfasten the body by pulling out the spikes.
The rock-hewn tomb was probably specially chosen for Joseph. In any case, no other body was lain there before. This act of generosity showed extra kindness and respect.
54:
The day of preparation was the time when Jews got their food and other things ready for the day of rest, when no work was allowed. This day was on Friday. Sabbath was coming near on Saturday. This proves conclusively that Jesus was crucified on Friday. He did not die on Wednesday or Thursday as some TV preachers say on a panel discussion.
55-56:
Once again I love the record of the women, which Luke offers us. He repeats that they had traveled with him from Galilee, indicating how committed they were to their Lord. They went with him all the way to Jerusalem. They followed Joseph and his servants from behind, just so they could find out where the tomb was. Why? They intended to come back early Sunday morning (their first day of the week) and put perfumed ointment on the body, to give it a special burial. This also shows kindness and respect. They loved their Lord. The perfumed ointment was intended merely to slow the decomposition. Jews did not embalm. You can google what perfumed oil or myrrh was used.
Then they kept the Sabbath by resting on it. The law commanded them (Exod. 20:8-10 and Deut. 5:12-15). They obeyed it.
GrowApp for Luke 23:50-56
1. Read Matt. 5:16. Joseph and the women were good and righteous. Why? How do you go the extra mile to let your good works shine?
RELATED
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND MORE
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom. You will also find a “Summary and Conclusion” for discipleship.
