The Death and Burial of Jesus: A Foundation of Faith
The death and burial of Jesus Christ stand as immutable pillars of the Christian faith, not merely historical footnotes but essential components of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Without the reality of His death, there could be no resurrection; without His burial, the empty tomb would lose its profound significance. The Holy Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, meticulously record these events, providing irrefutable evidence and profound theological truths that underpin the entirety of the Gospel message. Far from being a tragic end, the death of Jesus was the victorious fulfillment of prophecy, the ultimate sacrifice for sin, and the necessary precursor to His glorious resurrection.
The Condemnation and Crucifixion
The path to the cross for Jesus was marked by injustice, betrayal, and immense suffering, yet He willingly endured it all for the sake of His chosen people. After a series of unlawful trials before the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod, Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion, a brutal and humiliating form of execution reserved for the worst criminals. The Gospel accounts vividly describe the scourging, the crown of thorns, the mockings, and the heavy crossbar Jesus was forced to carry to Golgotha, "the place of a skull."
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Nailed to the cross between two thieves, Jesus hung for approximately six hours, from the third hour (9 AM) to the ninth hour (3 PM). During this agonizing period, He uttered seven profound statements, culminating in His final cry.
The Physical Reality of His Death
The Scriptures leave no room for doubt regarding the physical death of Jesus. All four Gospels confirm this pivotal event. As the darkness covered the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
This phrase, "gave up the ghost," indicates a voluntary surrender of His spirit, not merely a cessation of life due to exhaustion. Matthew, Mark, and Luke also record this moment:
- Matthew 27:50: "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."
- Mark 15:37: "And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost."
- Luke 23:46: "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
Further undeniable proof of His death came when the soldiers, tasked with breaking the legs of the crucified to hasten death before the Sabbath, approached Jesus. Finding Him already dead, they did not break His legs, fulfilling prophecy (John 19:33, Psalm 34:20). However, one soldier pierced His side with a spear:
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
This outflow of blood and water is medically significant, indicating a ruptured pericardium or heart, confirming beyond all doubt that Jesus was truly dead. This physical death was essential; it was the ultimate, unblemished sacrifice required for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
Witnesses to His Death
Numerous individuals bore witness to the death of Jesus, further solidifying its historical veracity. These witnesses included:
- Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome: These faithful women were present at the foot of the cross, observing His final moments (Mark 15:40, John 19:25).
- The Apostle John: The beloved disciple was also present, entrusted by Jesus with the care of His mother (John 19:26-27). John explicitly testifies to the spear piercing and the outflow of blood and water, emphasizing its truthfulness (John 19:35).
- The Roman Centurion: This hardened soldier, overseeing the crucifixion, was so profoundly impacted by Jesus' death and the accompanying supernatural events (earthquake, rending of the temple veil) that he declared, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39). His declaration from a professional perspective further confirms the death.
- The Crowd: The multitude who had gathered to witness the crucifixion also saw Jesus die, and many departed "smiting their breasts" (Luke 23:48).
The Burial: Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus
With the Sabbath approaching at sunset, it was imperative that the bodies be removed from the crosses. A prominent and courageous figure emerged to ensure Jesus received a proper burial: Joseph of Arimathaea.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
Joseph is described in the Gospels as "an honourable counsellor," "a good man, and a just," who "also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-51). His act was one of immense courage, as associating with a crucified man could bring defilement and public scorn. Pilate, after confirming Jesus' death with the centurion, granted Joseph permission to take the body.
Joseph was not alone in this solemn task. He was joined by Nicodemus, another prominent Jewish leader, who had previously come to Jesus by night:
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
This act of costly devotion, using a significant amount of aromatic spices, further underscores the respect and belief these men had in Jesus, despite their earlier timidity.
The Tomb and the Stone
The burial place for Jesus was a new tomb, hewn out of rock, belonging to Joseph himself. This detail is crucial, as it means the tomb was undisturbed and unoccupied prior to Jesus' burial, eliminating any possibility of confusion with other graves.
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 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.
The rolling of a "great stone" against the entrance was a standard practice to seal a tomb, preventing intrusion and protecting the body. The presence of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who "were there, sitting over against the sepulchre" (Matthew 27:61), further confirms the exact location of the burial, ensuring no mistake could be made regarding the empty tomb on resurrection morning.
The Guard
The chief priests and Pharisees, remembering Jesus' prophecy that He would rise after three days, approached Pilate on the day after the crucifixion, expressing their concern that His disciples might steal the body and claim He had risen. Their actions inadvertently provided further authentication of the burial and the subsequent resurrection.
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
The sealing of the stone with an official Roman seal and the deployment of a Roman guard ensured that no one could tamper with the tomb without breaking the seal and overcoming armed soldiers. This meticulous security, orchestrated by Jesus' enemies, served to eliminate any possibility of fraud concerning His resurrection.
Prophetic Fulfillment
The burial of Jesus, specifically in a rich man's tomb, was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Suffering Servant.
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.
While crucified with criminals ("with the wicked"), Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man, precisely as foretold centuries before. This divine orchestration underscores the sovereign plan of God, where every detail of Christ's life, death, and burial aligned with His eternal purpose.
Conclusion: The Foundation for Resurrection
The death and burial of Jesus Christ are not merely historical facts; they are theological necessities that form the bedrock of Christian doctrine. His genuine death confirms the completeness of His sacrifice for sin, demonstrating that He truly bore the penalty of death on our behalf. His burial, attested by multiple witnesses and secured by His enemies, provides the irrefutable link between His death and His resurrection. The empty tomb holds no meaning without a body first being placed within it.
The Apostle Paul succinctly summarized the Gospel message, emphasizing these foundational truths:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The death and burial of Jesus were real, verifiable events, witnessed and recorded, ensuring that His subsequent resurrection could not be dismissed as a mere swoon or a stolen body. These events are the glorious prelude to the ultimate victory of life over death, paving the way for the hope and salvation offered to all who believe in His name.