Who was Joseph of Arimathea?

The short answer

Joseph came from a town called Arimathea and sat on the ruling council in Jerusalem. He was a quiet follower of Jesus. After the crucifixion he went to Pilate, asked for the body, and buried Jesus in his own new tomb.

What the record says

Mark says it took nerve:

Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.

Mark 15:43

Luke calls him “a good and righteous man” and says “he had not consented to their counsel and deed” (Luke 23:50 to 51). Matthew calls him “a rich man” (Matthew 27:57). John says he had been a disciple in secret (John 19:38).

Matthew tells where he laid the body:

Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Matthew 27:59 to 60

The Gospels say nothing about him after the burial. Legends written much later carried him as far as Britain.

How Third Day tells it

Third Day is a novel. In the novel he goes by Yeshua, the name his family would have called him. Joseph sits on the high council beside Nicodemus. In chapter three, “The Chamber,” he is one of the fourteen who lay down their council rings and walk out rather than see Jesus condemned without a trial. In chapter nineteen, “The Burial,” he goes to Pilate while the body is still warm. Pilate reminds him that his council demanded the execution. Joseph says he left the council. Pilate says he left it late. Joseph sets his family seal ring on the table, and Pilate pushes it back.

“You understand what they will call you.”

Joseph put the ring back on.

“Write my name.”

Pilate signs. At the cross, council men try to send the body south with the thieves, and the centurion’s soldiers stand over it with drawn swords. Joseph has no bier, so he spreads his own outer robe on the ground, and they carry the body on it to his garden tomb. When the stone rolls shut, part of the robe is still caught inside. He leaves it.