JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
“may he (God) add.” (Heb.: «Yãsaph».)
A member of the Sanhedrin, a rich and distinguished man, he awaited the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43).
He had not consented to the death sentence pronounced against Jesus, because he was a secret disciple of Him, like Nicodemus, the only other member of the council who had faith in Him.
Bravely, Joseph claimed Jesus’ body from Pilate, and buried it in his own new tomb, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Is. 53:19 (Mt. 27:57-60; Luke 23:50-53; John . 19:38).