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.
And {G2532} laid {G5087} it {G846} in {G1722} his own {G846} new {G2537} tomb {G3419}, which {G3739} he had hewn out {G2998} in {G1722} the rock {G4073}: and {G2532} he rolled {G4351} a great {G3173} stone {G3037} to the door {G2374} of the sepulchre {G3419}, and departed {G565}.
and laid it in his own tomb, which he had recently had cut out of the rock. After rolling a large stone in front of the entrance to the tomb, he went away.
and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
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 tomb, and departed.
-
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 27:66
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. -
Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. -
John 20:1
¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. -
Luke 24:2
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. -
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.
Context
This verse provides a crucial detail immediately following the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It describes His burial, facilitated by Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man and a secret disciple who courageously requested Jesus' body from Pontius Pilate. The Jewish custom required burial to take place quickly, often before sundown on the day of death, especially with the Sabbath approaching. The detail of it being Joseph's "own new tomb" is highly significant.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "hewn out in the rock" indicates a common and secure type of tomb for the wealthy in ancient Judea. Unlike a mere grave dug in the earth, a tomb carved from solid rock offered permanence and protection. The word "sepulchre" (from Latin `sepulcrum`) is a formal term for a burial place, often referring specifically to such a rock-cut tomb.
The "great stone" rolled to the door emphasizes its size and weight. The Greek word for "great" (megas) highlights that this was not a small stone, making it difficult to move and further securing the entrance, ensuring the tomb's integrity until the angel rolled it away.
Practical Application
This verse, though describing a moment of apparent finality, is foundational to Christian belief. It powerfully underscores the reality of Jesus' death, which is essential for understanding the power of His resurrection. Without a real death, there could be no real resurrection, and thus no victory over sin and death for humanity.
Furthermore, Joseph of Arimathaea's courageous act serves as an example of faith in action. Even in a moment of widespread fear and despair among Jesus' followers, Joseph stepped out publicly to honor Jesus' body, reminding believers that faith often calls for bold, sacrificial action, even when it is unpopular or risky. This act of care, seemingly an end, was merely a pause before the greatest triumph in history, offering hope that even in life's darkest moments, God's divine plan is unfolding towards ultimate victory, much like the promise of resurrection and eternal life.