Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Mark 15:43 - 15:43
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
43. ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμθείας. The site of Arimathaea is unknown. It has been identified by some with Ramah, the birthplace and burial-place of Samuel. Its full name was Ramathaim-zophim, “Double Height of the Watchers” (Stanley, Sin. and Pal. p. 224). The ἀπό suggests that Joseph had ceased to reside at Arimathaea, and his having a tomb at Jerusalem and being a member of the Sanhedrin shows that he had settled in the city. Mt. says that he was πλούσιος, Lk. that he was ἀγαθὸς καὶ δίκαιος, which may all be summed up in Mk’s εὐσχήμων. Only a person of good position and bearing would have had much hope of at once being admitted to an audience with Pilate.
ἦν προσδεχόμενος. Cf. Luk 2:25; Luk 2:38.
τολμήσας. Took courage; see Field, p. 44. It required courage to go to the Procurator on such an errand. He was no relation of the Crucified, and therefore had no claim to this favour, and his being a member of the Sanhedrin might be fatal. The Sanhedrin had that day driven Pilate to condemn an innocent person to death,—a humiliating and exasperating thought for a Roman judge, and Pilate would know nothing of Joseph’s having taken no part in this crime. Above all, there was danger as to what the Sanhedrin would do, when they heard of Joseph’s visit to the Procurator. But reverence and affection for the Master gave him the necessary courage.