Mark 15:46

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

And {G2532} he bought {G59} fine linen {G4616}, and {G2532} took him down {G2507}, and wrapped {G1750} him {G846} in the linen {G4616}, and {G2532} laid {G2698} him {G846} in {G1722} a sepulchre {G3419} which {G3739} was {G2258} hewn {G2998} out of {G1537} a rock {G4073}, and {G2532} rolled {G4351} a stone {G3037} unto {G1909} the door {G2374} of the sepulchre {G3419}.

Yosef purchased a linen sheet; and after taking Yeshua down, he wrapped him in the linen sheet, laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in the cloth, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.

And he bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

Mark 15:46 KJV describes the solemn and crucial act of Jesus' burial, undertaken by Joseph of Arimathea after His crucifixion. This verse meticulously details the preparations and placement of Jesus' body in the tomb, underscoring the reality of His death and setting the stage for the miraculous resurrection.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus' death on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea, identified as a respected member of the Jewish council and a secret disciple of Jesus, bravely approached Pontius Pilate to request the body for burial. This act was significant because crucified bodies were often left for scavengers or thrown into common graves, and associating with a crucified man carried social stigma and ritual impurity. Joseph's request was crucial to ensure a proper burial, which was also in line with Jewish law requiring burial before sundown on the day of death, especially before the Sabbath (see Deuteronomy 21:23).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reverence and Dignity: Despite the brutal and humiliating public execution, Jesus' body was treated with profound respect. The use of "fine linen" and placement in a private, new tomb signifies a burial befitting a king, even in death.
  • The Reality of Jesus' Death: The detailed description of the body being "taken down," "wrapped," and "laid in a sepulchre" emphatically confirms that Jesus truly died. This meticulous account counters any later claims that He merely fainted or revived on the cross, solidifying the historical foundation for the resurrection.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not explicitly stated in Mark, the burial in a rich man's tomb, which was "hewn out of a rock," aligns with the prophetic anticipation found in Isaiah 53:9, which speaks of the Messiah being "with the rich in his death."
  • Faith in Action: Joseph of Arimathea's courageous act, risking his reputation and standing, demonstrates true faith and devotion, even in a moment of great sorrow and apparent defeat.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fine linen" translates from the Greek word sindōn (σινδών), which refers to a costly, high-quality linen cloth. Its use here indicates the honor and expense involved in Jesus' burial, contrasting sharply with the indignity of His crucifixion. The "sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock" refers to a mnēmeion (μνημεῖον), a tomb or memorial, specifically one carved directly from solid rock. These types of tombs were typically owned by the wealthy and would have been new or unused, as implied by other Gospel accounts, ensuring that no other body had occupied it.

Practical Application

Mark 15:46, though describing a moment of profound grief and finality, carries significant lessons for believers today:

  • Hope Beyond Death: The careful burial of Jesus' body, while marking His physical death, was a necessary step toward the ultimate victory of the resurrection. It reminds us that even in our deepest sorrows, God's divine plan is unfolding.
  • Courageous Discipleship: Joseph of Arimathea exemplifies courageous discipleship, acting boldly on his faith when it was dangerous and unpopular. This challenges us to consider where we might be called to act for Christ, even at personal cost.
  • The Reality of the Gospel: The meticulous details of Jesus' burial reinforce the historical truth of His death, which is foundational to the Christian faith. Without His real death, there could be no real resurrection, and thus no salvation.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 53:9

    And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.

  • Matthew 27:59

    And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

  • Matthew 27:60

    And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

  • John 11:38

    Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

  • Mark 16:3

    And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

  • Mark 16:4

    And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

  • Isaiah 22:16

    What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, [as] he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, [and] that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

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