The History of the Burial of Jesus

To understand the burial of Jesus a quick primer on the burial customs of the ancient middle east is in order.

People were usually buried soon after death usually within 24 hrs. The Jews did not normally cremate or use coffins nor did they embalm. Rather, the body was simply washed and wrapped in a cloth or bound in bands. Perfumes and spices were applied if it could be afforded, or incense burned. Then the body was put into natural caves that were cut out with chisels; not holes in the ground as we do.

Luke specially says that the tomb was carved out of rock. The rock was quite porous and soft.

Often professional mourners were hired for the funeral as they lamented loudly. It sounds very strange to us. But there were none of these at Jesus' burial.

Those are some of the burial customs of the Jews of Jesus' time.

Now lets take a closer look at a few of the other elements in of the history of Jesus' burial

1. Spices

It says that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Myrrh is a gum resin extracted from a certain tree (Arabian Balsamodendron Myrrh). It was used as a perfume for embalming and in holy anointing oil. I find it ironic that the magi presented Jesus with a gift of Myrrh at the beginning of his life and now here at what was thought to be the end of his life he is again given a gift of myrrh. Aloe was also a resin exacted from a certain tree (Aquilaria Agallicha) that grow in India and China. It was highly prized in the ancient world and very expensive. These spices would be placed next to the body and tucked between the layers of the cloth in which they wrapped the body.

2. Royalty

What is significant is the amount of spice brought to the tomb; it is estimated to be anywhere between seventy-five to hundred pounds. This is a huge amount; the common poor person would not be able to afford any spices to bury their loved ones. Those better off could afford some but not usually this amount. This is enough spice for the burial of a king.

3. Burial cloth

In the book of John "Taking Jesus' body, the two of them (Joseph and Nicodemus) wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen." And then the text says: "This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs." Why would that line be added.

I think that John wants the reader to know that Jesus was embalmed in the Jewish way NOT the Egyptian way. The Egyptians way of embalming requires opening the body cavity and removing all the inner organs (except the heart). A resin paste and cloth were then used to stuff the body. Also the brain was removed through a rather disgusting technique which we will not mention here.

I know this is a little gross but it is important you understand to fully appreciate what is going on in the text. The Jewish form of embalming (simply packing spice around the exterior of the body) did not involve the any mutilation of the body. Why was it so important for John to make his readers understand that? Anyone want to guess?

This was important because, praise God, Jesus was going to need his body in tact when he rose from the dead! It is amazing how God worked out every detail.

4.Symbol of Victory

The next time we read about the grave clothes is in Luke 24:12 and John 20:5, 6, 7 when the disciples Peter and John come running to the same tomb. Only this time there was no body, praise God, in the wrappings. In fact John makes a point to tell us that the piece of cloth that was wrapped around his head was lying separately and rolled up. I'm not sure why he told us that but it is just one of the little specific details that could only come from someone who was actually there.

Max Lucado in his book called, He Chose The Nails, says the grave linen they wrapped Jesus' body in went from being a symbol of tragedy to a symbol of triumph. (page119) For the apostles, "on the first Easter Sunday, God took clothing of death and made it a symbol of life." Pg 119 This linen started out as a tangible reminder that their friend, Jesus, and their future with him were wrapped in cloth and sealed behind a rock, say Lucado. (pg 121)

But that was because they did not as yet understand the Jesus would be rising from the dead.

4. A symbol of Something New.

It was a tomb free from corruption as the Holy One of God (Acts 2:27)would not see decay.( Tyndale Bible Comm)

But the tomb of Christ is a place of life not death. That is why 1000's every year come to visit the site they think is Jesus tomb near Jerusalem. It would not hold such attraction to Christians if it was only a grave and not a symbol of life. The Sabbath began at sundown, so all work had to be hurried along. Joseph of Arimathea knew this and his tomb was "convenient," so he used it because they did not have time to search out another.

But God had his own reason for having Jesus buried in this new, as of yet, unused tomb. God wanted it to be a Symbol of his doing something new.