(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Yosef took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen sheet,
So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
And{G2532} when Joseph{G2501} had taken{G2983} the body{G4983}, he wrapped{G1794} it{G846} in a clean{G2513} linen cloth{G4616},
Matthew 27:59 is a verse from the New Testament that describes a pivotal moment in the Christian narrative, specifically the burial of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion. The verse is part of the account of the Passion of Christ, which details the events leading up to and including Jesus' death.
In this verse, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man and a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin who had not consented to the decision to crucify Jesus, takes the initiative to bury Jesus' body. This act was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the manner of Jesus' burial, such as Isaiah 53:9, which speaks of the suffering servant being with the rich in his death. Secondly, Joseph's action was an act of reverence and compassion, as it was customary for the bodies of executed criminals to be disposed of unceremoniously. By wrapping Jesus' body in a clean linen cloth, Joseph was according Jesus the dignity of a proper Jewish burial, despite the socially stigmatized nature of crucifixion.
The historical context of this verse reflects the Jewish burial customs of the time, which involved anointing the body with spices and wrapping it in cloth, as well as the urgency to complete the burial before the onset of the Sabbath, since no work could be done on that day according to Jewish law. Joseph's role in Jesus' burial is also significant as it demonstrates that not all Jewish leaders were opposed to Jesus, and it highlights the theme of unexpected allies in the Gospel narrative.
In summary, Matthew 27:59 captures a moment of tenderness and respect in the midst of a dark and tumultuous period, as a sympathetic figure from the Jewish establishment ensures that Jesus receives a proper burial, thus honoring Jesus' earthly remains and unknowingly participating in the fulfillment of scriptural prophecy. This verse underscores themes of compassion, fulfillment of prophecy, and the surprising reversals of roles and expectations in the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)