John 19:38

¶ And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave [him] leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

And {G1161} after {G3326} this {G5023} Joseph {G2501} of {G575} Arimathaea {G707}, being {G5607} a disciple {G3101} of Jesus {G2424}, but {G1161} secretly {G2928} for {G1223} fear {G5401} of the Jews {G2453}, besought {G2065} Pilate {G4091} that {G2443} he might take away {G142} the body {G4983} of Jesus {G2424}: and {G2532} Pilate {G4091} gave him leave {G2010}. He came {G2064} therefore {G3767}, and {G2532} took {G142} the body {G4983} of Jesus {G2424}.

After this, Yosef of Ramatayim, who was a talmid of Yeshua, but a secret one out of fear of the Judeans, asked Pilate if he could have Yeshua’s body. Pilate gave his consent, so Yosef came and took the body away.

Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.

And after these things Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.

Commentary

John 19:38 describes a quiet but profound act of devotion immediately following Jesus' crucifixion. It introduces Joseph of Arimathaea, a previously secret disciple, who boldly requests Jesus' body from Pontius Pilate for burial. This verse highlights Joseph's courage and the unfolding of God's plan even in the face of death and despair.

Context

This verse takes place directly after Jesus has died on the cross. According to Jewish law and custom, bodies could not remain on the cross overnight, especially with the Sabbath (which was also the Passover Sabbath) approaching at sundown. The public spectacle of the crucifixion was over, and attention turned to the disposition of the body. Most of Jesus' disciples had scattered in fear, making Joseph's appearance and request all the more significant.

Key Themes

  • From Secret Discipleship to Open Faith: Joseph of Arimathaea is explicitly identified as a "disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews." This fear stemmed from the powerful Jewish religious authorities who had condemned Jesus and could excommunicate or persecute anyone associated with Him. Yet, in this moment of crisis, Joseph steps out of the shadows. His act of publicly identifying with the crucified Jesus, a condemned criminal, demonstrates a powerful transformation from hidden belief to courageous, open faith. This act of bold faith is echoed by Nicodemus, who also assisted Joseph and had previously come to Jesus secretly (John 3:1).
  • Courage in Crisis: While many of Jesus' followers had fled, Joseph, a wealthy and influential member of the Sanhedrin (as noted in other Gospels like Matthew 27:57), risked everything—his reputation, status, and possibly his life—to ensure Jesus received a proper burial. This highlights how true devotion can emerge strongly in the darkest and most challenging times.
  • Divine Providence: Joseph's wealth and position were instrumental in fulfilling an important prophecy. His ability to secure the body and provide a tomb ensured that the Messiah would be buried with the rich in His death, despite being crucified as a criminal. This illustrates God's sovereign plan working through unexpected individuals and circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "besought Pilate" comes from the Greek word ἠρώτησεν (*ērotēsen*), which implies an earnest or formal request, not just a casual asking. This highlights the gravity and seriousness of Joseph's petition to the Roman governor. The phrase "for fear of the Jews" (διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων - *dia ton phobon tōn Ioudaion*) vividly conveys the intense social and religious pressure faced by anyone who might publicly align with Jesus, especially after His condemnation by the Jewish leadership.

Practical Application

Joseph of Arimathaea's story challenges us to examine our own discipleship. Are there times we are "secret disciples" due to fear of social repercussions, professional consequences, or simply discomfort? This verse encourages believers to find courage to stand for Christ, even when it is unpopular or costly. It reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past hesitations, to accomplish His purposes. Joseph's compassionate act also serves as a timeless example of showing dignity and respect, even in the face of death and despair.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 15:42

    ¶ And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

  • Mark 15:47

    And Mary Magdalene and Mary [the mother] of Joses beheld where he was laid.

  • Proverbs 29:25

    ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

  • Matthew 27:57

    ¶ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

  • Matthew 27:61

    And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

  • John 7:13

    Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.

  • Luke 23:50

    ¶ And, behold, [there was] a man named Joseph, a counsellor; [and he was] a good man, and a just:
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