50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council,聽51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.聽52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.聽53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.聽54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.聽55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.聽56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
"New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
Transcript
The Lucan Joseph of Arimathea is not presented as a disciple, but as a righteous Council member, his description is reminiscent of the pious Jews introduced in Luke鈥檚 infancy narrative. Luke does not name 鈥渢he women who had come from Galilee鈥� and who here bring spices and ointments to the burial. Reinforcing his portrayal of the Church as originating among law observant Jews, Luke refers to the Torah鈥檚 command for rest on the Sabbath.