“When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 27:57 Mean?
"When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple." Joseph of Arimathea appears only at the crucifixion — a secret disciple who reveals himself at the worst possible moment to claim the body of an executed criminal. The timing is significant: he comes forward when every public disciple has fled.
Joseph is described as rich, which explains how he could afford a private tomb (verse 60) and gain an audience with Pilate. His wealth, which might have been spiritually dangerous (Matthew 19:23), becomes the instrument of his greatest act of faith. The money that could have been an obstacle becomes the means of providing Jesus a dignified burial.
The phrase "who also himself was Jesus' disciple" reveals that Joseph's discipleship was previously private — "also himself," as if Matthew is adding him to a list. He followed Jesus alongside the twelve, but nobody knew. His coming-out moment is the burial of the Master.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What secret discipleship are you carrying that might be needed at exactly the right moment?
- 2.How does Joseph's wealth becoming his instrument of service challenge the 'rich man' warning?
- 3.Why did Joseph go public when everyone else fled?
- 4.What resource you consider an obstacle might actually be God's tool for a critical moment?
Devotional
A secret disciple goes public at the worst possible time. Everyone else has run. Peter denied. Judas betrayed. The twelve scattered. And a rich man nobody counted as a follower steps forward to claim the body.
Joseph of Arimathea is the patron saint of late faith. His discipleship was private — secret, hidden, known only to himself and perhaps a few others. He never appeared during Jesus' ministry. He never walked with the twelve. He never preached or healed or confronted the Pharisees. He was a silent, invisible follower.
And then Jesus died. And the secret disciple became the only one who showed up. The public followers fled. The bold ones hid. And the secret one went to Pilate, asked for the body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in his own new tomb. The disciple nobody knew about did the thing nobody else would do.
His wealth — the very thing Jesus said made kingdom entry difficult — became the instrument of his service. The expensive tomb. The fine linen. The political access to Pilate. Everything that could have kept Joseph from the kingdom became the tool he used to serve the King.
God uses late arrivals. God uses secret disciples. God uses resources that seemed like obstacles. Joseph didn't have a ministry resume. He had a tomb, a roll of linen, and the courage to go public when everyone else went underground.
What are you holding in secret that God might be preparing to use at the exact moment nobody else shows up?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
He went to Pilate,.... To his house where he lived, and went in, as Mark says, Mar 15:43, boldly; not being ashamed of…
When the even was come - That is, some time after three o’clock in the afternoon. Before this, the Jews had besought…
The Entombment
Mar 15:42-47; Luk 23:50-56; Joh 19:38-42
Mat 27:62-66 are peculiar to St Matthew. St Mark notes the…