Burial of Jesus
Introduction
John 19:31–42 records the burial of Jesus during the Passover
preparation day. Each detail fulfills Scripture and verifies His
death, preparing the way for the first day of the week (John
19:31–42).
The High Day and the Law’s
Demand
John notes the “preparation day” and a Sabbath that was a “high
day,” the Sabbath of Passover week (John 19:31). Deuteronomy
required that an executed person’s body be removed the same day,
“for he who is hanged is accursed of God,” so the land would not be
defiled (Deuteronomy 21:22–23). The request to hasten death by
bone-crushing reflected that command. The soldiers broke the legs of
the two criminals; Jesus had already died, so His legs remained
unbroken (John 19:32–33).
The Unbroken Bones of the
Lamb
Psalm 34 foretold, “He guards all His bones; not one of them is
broken” (Psalm 34:20). John draws a straight line from that promise
to the cross: Jesus’ legs were not broken because He had truly given
up His spirit, and the Scripture stood confirmed (John 19:30, 36).
They Looked on the Pierced
One
A soldier opened the Lord’s side with a spear, and “immediately
blood and water came out” (John 19:34). John testifies as an
eyewitness so that readers may believe (John 19:35). Zechariah had
promised, “They will look on Me whom they pierced,” language that
carries both grief and recognition (Zechariah 12:10). The piercing,
the visible flow, and the public viewing at Golgotha united prophecy
and fact.
Joseph and Nicodemus:
Courage at Dusk
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected council member described as “a good
and just man” who had not consented to the Sanhedrin’s decision,
asked Pilate for the body and received permission (Luke 23:50–52;
John 19:38). Nicodemus arrived with a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about a hundred pounds in weight, an honor fit for a king (John
19:39). Together they bound the body in linen with spices according
to Jewish burial custom and laid Him in a garden tomb close at hand
(John 19:40–42). The women from Galilee observed the tomb and how
His body was laid, then prepared spices and oils, resting on the
Sabbath according to the commandment (Luke 23:55–56). Their careful
witness fixed the location of the tomb in the community’s memory.
With the Rich in His Death
Isaiah wrote, “They made His grave with the wicked—yet with the rich
at His death,” and also declared that the Servant would pour out His
soul to death and bear the sins of many (Isaiah 53:8–12). The new,
rock-hewn tomb provided by a wealthy disciple fulfilled that word
with precision (Luke 23:53; John 19:41).
According to the
Scriptures
Paul summarized the gospel: “Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). From the Baptist’s
proclamation—“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world”—to Jesus’ own anticipation of being “lifted up,” Scripture
frames the cross and burial as the hinge of redemption (John 1:29;
John 12:27–33). When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He completed the
work He came to do and then gave up His spirit (John 19:30).
Why the Burial Matters
The burial establishes the reality of Jesus’ death, demonstrates the
fidelity of prophecy, and readies the stage for the resurrection
morning proclaimed in every Gospel. The Scriptures, the public
actions of honorable witnesses, and the known tomb together
strengthen faith and call every heart to trust the testimony of God.
Burial of Jesus Sermon
Outline:
-
Context and Law
-
Prophecy in the
Details
-
Unbroken bones (John
19:36; Psalm 34:20).
-
Pierced side,
eyewitness testimony, and belief (John 19:34–35; Zechariah
12:10).
-
Honorable Burial
-
Joseph’s request;
character and courage (Luke 23:50–52; John 19:38).
-
Nicodemus’ costly
spices; linen and customs (John 19:39–40).
-
New garden tomb near
the place of crucifixion; women observe (John 19:41–42; Luke
23:55–56).
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The Servant Foretold
-
Gospel Summary
-
Died for our sins
according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).
-
The Lamb of God;
“lifted up” to draw all people (John 1:29; John 12:27–33).
-
“It is finished”—the
completed work (John 19:30).
-
Implications
-
Confidence in
Scripture’s reliability.
-
Courageous discipleship
in public.
-
Anticipation of the
resurrection announcements in the four Gospels.
Call to Action
Believe the testimony God has given about His Son. Honor the
crucified and buried Christ with whole-hearted trust and public
allegiance. If you need to obey the gospel, repent and be baptized
in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). If your faith
has faltered, return to the Lord who finished the work for your
salvation.
Key Takeaways
-
The burial fulfilled the
Law’s same-day command and preserved holy order (John 19:31;
Deuteronomy 21:22–23).
-
Prophecy marked the moment:
unbroken bones and a pierced side (Psalm 34:20; Zechariah 12:10;
John 19:34–36).
-
Honorable witnesses secured
the record of the tomb and burial customs (John 19:38–42; Luke
23:50–56).
-
Isaiah’s Servant was “with
the rich” in death and bore the sins of many (Isaiah 53:8–12).
-
Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures and completed the saving work (1
Corinthians 15:3; John 19:30).
Scripture Reference List
-
John 19:31–42
— Preparation day, high Sabbath, unbroken legs, pierced side,
Joseph and Nicodemus, linen and spices, new garden tomb.
-
Deuteronomy 21:22–23
— Same-day burial of the executed to prevent defilement of the
land.
-
Psalm 34:20 —
Promise concerning unbroken bones.
-
Zechariah 12:10
— Promise concerning the One who would be pierced.
-
Luke 23:50–56
— Joseph’s character and request; women observe the tomb and
prepare spices.
-
Isaiah 53:8–12
— The Servant’s death, righteous character, and burial “with the
rich.”
-
1 Corinthians 15:3
— Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
-
John 1:29 —
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
-
John 12:27–33
— Jesus foretells His death and its drawing power.
-
John 19:30 —
“It is finished”; Jesus gave up His spirit.
-
Acts 2:38 —
Call to repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name.
Prepared
by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
