Mark 15:40-47

New Testament for Everyone

The burial of Jesus

⁴⁰ Some women were watching from a distance. They included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹ They had followed Jesus in Galilee, and had attended to his needs. There were several other women, too, who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

⁴² It was already getting towards evening, and it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath. ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a reputable member of the council who was himself eagerly awaiting God’s kingdom, took his courage in both hands, went to Pilate, and requested the body of Jesus.

⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion, and asked whether he had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵ When he learned the facts from the centurion, he conceded the body to Joseph.

⁴⁶ So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took the body down, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb cut out of the rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was buried.