Sabbath Rest — December 14 [Description]Passage Overview (Matthew 27:57-65, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42):These three Gospel accounts describe what happened immediately after Jesus’ crucifixion:- Joseph of Arimathea, a respected Jewish leader and secret follower of Jesus, courageously asks Pilate for Jesus’ body.- Nicodemus, who once visited Jesus at night (John 3), joins Joseph, bringing burial spices.- Together, they wrap Jesus’ body in linen and place Him in a new tomb. This tomb is cut into rock and belongs to Joseph.- Women who followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, observe where He is laid and prepare spices to honor Him after the Sabbath.- Meanwhile, the religious leaders ask Pilate to secure the tomb, fearing Jesus’ followers might steal the body and claim He rose. Pilate posts guards and seals the stone to prevent any interference.This moment is the in-between—a day of silence, sorrow, and uncertainty. Jesus is dead. Hope appears buried. 365D 348

Bible discovery 365D 348

Matthew 27:57-65 365D 348.1

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 365D 348.2

58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 365D 348.3

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 365D 348.4

60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 365D 348.5

61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting ^{[o]in front of} opposite the tomb. 365D 348.6

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 365D 348.7

63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 365D 348.8

64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come ^{[p]NU omits by night} by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 365D 348.9

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 365D 348.10

Luke 23:50-56 365D 348.11

50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 365D 348.12

51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who ^{[o]NU who was waiting} himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 365D 348.13

52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 365D 348.14

53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 365D 348.15

54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. 365D 348.16

55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 365D 348.17

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 365D 348.18

John 19:38-42 365D 348.19

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 365D 348.20

39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 365D 348.21

40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 365D 348.22

41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 365D 348.23

42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. 365D 348.24