Q5. Secret Disciples

[Pastor Ralph]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

[SoiKosum]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both wealthy men and prominent members of the Sanhedrin. These men were secret believers. It is difficult to answer whether this is good or bad. On the one hand, Jesus did say that if we publicly deny God, He would also deny us before the Father. On the other hand, in such circumstances of public persecution, there may be a case for being a secret believer so that believers may continue to spread God's Word. Both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus risked being seen as sympathisers and thrown out of the Sanhedrin and probably even imprisoned.

The burial account was important because:

- it showed the care and love that believers had for their Master, our Lord Jesus

- it paralleled the mercy that Jesus showed to Man

- the amount of spices used in the burial was similar to that used for royalty : the Lords of Lords and Kings of Kings

- the type of tomb used accorded Jesus the respect and esteem that He deserved but was not given when He was alive on earth

[JanMary]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus?

 

Joseph from Arimathea was a wealthy, high ranking member of the Jewish Sanhedrin. He owned a tomb which had not been used before. He was a disciple and secret believer in Jesus, who was waiting for the Kingdom of God.

 

Nicodemus was also a wealthy Jew, and a member of the Sanhedrin, who had come secretly at night to talk to Jesus about being born again. He purchased all that was necessary for Jesus' burial, which included 75 lbs of ointments and spices.

 

Was it good that they were “secret disciples”?

 

Whether good or not, it's possible that because they were secret believers and not been known to associate with Jesus, that Pilate gave Joseph permission to bury Jesus, and that Nicodemus could purchase all that was needed for the burial, without being questioned or hindered. In any case they both stepped forward at the critical time and fulfilled scripture, without having any idea that they were doing so, and were being used by God to fulfill His purposes for His beloved Son in His death and burial

 

I've read, just by way of interest, that with all of the ointments and spices wrapped within the cloth wrappings, that when Jesus was resurrected, He left a 75 lb.cocoon like shell behind. That would be how Peter and John knew instantly that Jesus had risen, and not that someone had stolen the body.

 

I've also read about and seen a typical stone feeding trough or manger where Jesus was laid as a baby which looks very much like the stone bench carved into the cave for His burial. As a baby He was wrapped in swaddling clothes....It is a "picture" of Jesus being born to die.

 

What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial?

 

They risked expulsion from the Sanhedrin, persecution from their fellow Jews, rejection and worse. Emotions were high (like during the riots of today in our cities, where people act like crazy people looking for trouble), and they may have been seized and injured.

 

Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story?

 

It fulfilled prophecy that He was buried in a rich man's grave (Isaiah 53:9)

It was a new, unused grave where the women who accompanied Joseph and Nicodemus knew the way, so there was no confusion about a mistaken grave when Jesus rose from the grave.

It's a place where people through the ages have gone to remember His death, burial and resurrection on their behalf for the gift of eternal life.

The tomb and the way the burial clothes were left like an empty shell when He rose through them was proof to His disciples and to all they told, or who saw the tomb,  that He rose from the dead.

There were stories made up by the Jews and the Roman soldiers afterward to try to negate Jesus' actual death, and also that His body had been stolen by His disciples. (That second story also validated His death!)

 

To our understanding of who Jesus is?

 

As Paul said, If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we are still dead in our sins and the most miserable of people. That He did die and rise again, proves that He is Who the Bible says He is....God. That He fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in His death and resurrection alone, prove that the Bible is truth. That He conquered death and the grave, removes the fear and sting of death for believers. For us, then it is "absent from the body and present with Christ."

After He arose, He appeared to the disciples and to over 500 people, showing them the wounds in His hands and feet. There was no question that He died and rose from the grave, and then ascended into Heaven.

[blezed]

(John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?          

• Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were wealthy men of Sanhedrin and secret followers of Jesus.
• Yes/No.  In this case it was good that they were "secret disciples' because they were able to give Jesus a decent burial.  They stepped out of hiding and risked their reputation to bury Jesus.
• The burial account is important so that we can know with certainty that Jesus' resurrection is no error, no mistaken identity, no fluke.

[hanks]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) 

Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? 

Was it good that they were "secret disciples"? 

What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial? 

Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story? 

To our understanding of who Jesus is?

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin and a righteous man who sought the Kingdom of God (Mark 15:43). Nicodemus was also a member of the Sanhedrin, who had earlier visited Jesus at night (3:2), and had also asked that Jesus be given a fair hearing before the Sanhedrin (7:50-51). Up to now both were secret believers. Fear of the Jews had kept them both from confessing Christ openly. As things were at the time in Israel, I think they had no option but to operate as secret disciples because of possible excommunication, persecution and harm to themselves and their families. Under the circumstances they could do some good supporting Jesus secretly - for if exposed they would have been taken out. However, with Jesus’ death they both boldly stepped forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial, exposing themselves to great risk. 

We find that nearly every detail of Jesus’ death was a fulfilment of prophecy. He is the Messiah!

 

[Clarence]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

 

 

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both members of the Jewish Sanhedrin in Israel. "The Sanhedrin was made up of chief priests, scribes and elders of the people" (Nave 1974). The bible describes Nicodemus as ..."a ruler of the Jews"... (John 3:1) and Joseph of Arimathea as a ..."prominent member of the Council"... (Mark 15:43). The scriptures also record a significant conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John chapter 3- in the dead of the night.

It is neither good nor bad that Nicodemus and Joseph were "secret disciples" of Jesus. Who are we to Judge anyway? Nicodemus, at one stage spoke to Sanhedrin members, in Jesus defense (7:51). At least they would have probably been expelled from the Sanhedrin (John 7:52) or even put to death if they revealed their true allegiance to Jesus. At any rate, the two believers were willing to reveal their devotion to their Lord at his burial, probably at great cost to themselves, financially and in reputation. We do not know what happened to them after this event.

Jesus was obviously held in high esteem by the pair as they were willing to go to great trouble and expense to deal with his body in such a way. Joseph of Arimathea provided a tomb, never used before and Nicodemus a large quantity of herbs and spices to treat the body.

 

O. J Nave, "Nave's Topical Bible," Nave Moody Press 1974, p. 1135.

[lighthouse2014]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and noble person and a member of the Sanhedrin was from the town of Arimathea, was one of the men who requested the body of Jesus for burial. Another wealthy and noble person who was also a member of the Sanhedrin helped Joseph take down the body of Jesus from the cross, prepare it and place the body in tomb Joseph had supplied.

The fact that they were secret followers of Jesus, their noble positions helped influence Pilate for the body. By being secret followers they were likely afraid of being brandished from the Synagogue, if their belief were discovered.

The burial account is important to Jesus story because it proves that He was indeed dead and placed in a tomb by the two prominent men along with the women who helped place spices on the body.

To our understanding of who Jesus is, the Son of God, testifying to the truth of God the Father, he performed miracles, suffered and died on the cross and was buried according to scripture. The most important fact to all believers of Jesus, is that he rose from the dead as prophesied. Without the resurrection, Jesus story would have no atonement for our sins and we would still be living in them, condemned to eternal separation from God.                

[Jen]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

 

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were members of the Sanhedrin.  The fact that they were secret disciples tells me that they were open to the truth and not like some who were in only for money and power.  Whether it is good or not, God used these two men to fulfill prophecy.  If they had announced earlier that they believed in Jesus as the Christ they would have been removed from the Sanhedrin and probably made 'an example of' (my thought).

The burial account of Jesus body is important because there would naturally be disputers, deniers who would use anything they could as an excuse to not believe or to disprove that Jesus is the Christ.  Our God just uses the actions of the ungodly to work for Him.  He knows the hearts and minds of all and lets the deniers serve Him unknowingly.  Amazing!  I love it!

 

God bless! 

Jen 

Numbers 6:24-26

[haar]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus?    
 

They were members of the Sanhedrin and secret believers of Jesus

 

Was it good that they were "secret disciples"?

 

Given the hostile tendencies of the Jews to excommunicate a follower of Jesus from their fellowship, I think it was ok for these two to be secret disciples so that they would perform the role they did for Jesus's burial.

 

Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story?

 

It confirms that Jesus really died and was buried thus the resurrection was also a miracle confirming the prophesy.

 

What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial?

 

The risk of being expelled and prosecuted by the Jewish leaders.

[RebeccaMallinson]

Joseph of Aramathea and Nicodemus were both members of the Sanhadrin but secretly they were disciples of Jesus.  Generally speaking we should be willing to openly proclaim one’s faith, however, I think this was a special case.  Jesus had instructed both men and he did not rebuke or reject either of them.  Presumably the reason was to have them available for the specific purpose of organising his burial.  A thought has struck me that perhaps when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus (John 3), where he mentions his death and resurrection, he is preparing the ground for this role.  They incurred the risk of losing their jobs and possibly their lives, so in spite of their previous secrecy they were putting everything on the line at this point. 

 

The burial account is important as it shows that a real burial took place, in an identifiable place, with all the respect due to a king.  It also shows that the disciples still believed that Jesus was permanently dead in spite of all Jesus’ previous foretelling. It tells us that Jesus was truly man as well as truly God.  The disciples were in an excellent position to report to us as eyewitnesses.  

[PeteD]

Lesson 31 Question 5

Joseph of A and Nicodemus were prominent and wealthy men belonging to the religious ruling establishment. Both were secret followers of Jesus.

Was it good that they were secret disciples? I suppose one would have wished that they were more courageous and had opportunity to stand up for Jesus.

What risk did incur by participating in Jesus burial?

By stepping forward they risk their cover and now would be outed as followers of Jesus.

This burial account confirms that Jesus' actually died and that it was actually the grave that the disciples visited later after Jesus' resurrection.

[Stanley Tavaziva]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were "secret disciples"? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

 

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret followers of Jesus. They were afraid to make this allegiance known because of their positions in the Jewish community. Joseph was a leader and honored member of the Jewish high council. Nicodemus, also a member of the high council, had come to Jesus by night (3:1) and later tried to defend him before the other religious leaders (7:50-52). Yet they risked their reputations to provide for Jesus’ burial. Are you a secret believer? Do you hide your faith from your friends and fellow workers? This is an appropriate time to step out of hiding and let others know whom you follow.

 

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council (called the high council, or the Sanhedrin). The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders whom Jesus and John the Baptist often criticized for being hypocrites. Most Pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus because he undermined their authority and challenged their views. But Nicodemus was searching, and he believed that Jesus had some answers. A learned teacher himself, he came to Jesus to be taught. No matter how intelligent and well educated you are, you must come to Jesus with an open mind and heart so he can teach you the truth about God.

 

 

It proves that Jesus had really died, and that he was buried by not one but two influential, respected men who could testify to the fact an important point when you remember that the first Christians were accused of concocting the story of the resurrection. Here was certain evidence, from reputable witnesses, that Jesus really died. Christ died for our sins.Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins Hebrews 9:22-28.His blood was shed for the remission of sins.Our Lord placed such an important command on us to remember His death.

[royk]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were "secret disciples"? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

We know from several passages in John that Nicodemus was like Joseph of Arimathea a Sanhedrin and Nicodemus had visited Jesus at nigh and believed He was from God. Both men opposed the way Jesus' trial was conducted. By preparing His body with such great respect and being buied in a tomb for a rich person, they were showing how they felt for Him, that He was not just a man, but really the son of God.

Also, when the resurrection came about, the fact that the linen pieces were neatly folded on the rock ledge/table where His body was laid, and the great stone had been rolled back, these all are undeniable facts that prove he was risen from the dead on the third day.

 

This fulfilled what Jesus promised. These truths give us the facts we need to help us believe who Jesus was, the unique Son of God, sent to die for our sins. 

[pickledilly]

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both respected, influential members of the Jewish Sanhedrin (which incidentally, didn't believe in resurrection). Given the circumstances, it seems that it was good they were “secret disciples”. Neither was disgraced, shunned, stripped of position or means, even imprisoned by some revelation that they were “traitors”. So they had full resources to offer at this time of Jesus' death, ready for "such a time as this". They rose to the occasion at the risk of retaliation by the Sanhedrin and ruthless Jewish hierarchy.  I can't help but think about the fact that with no honor or expense spared, in HIs burial Jesus was finally treated like the royal King He truly is.

 

The details of Jesus' burial are very important to His story. He didn't swoon or fall into a coma and then later revived. He died. He suffered brutal, agonizing physical torment and He died. The Roman soldier confirmed it as he plunged a spear into Jesus' side, the disciples confirmed it as they handled Jesus' body, two prominent Jewish leaders confirmed it with their offerings of burial assistance at great risk to themselves, the women confirmed it as they anointed the dead and lifeless body. This is critical to establish because the miracle of His resurrection depends on the fact that HE WAS DEAD.

 

And the resurrection is critical to the validity of the Gospel message. Jesus claimed Himself to be resurrection and eternal life (John 11:25). Paul later clarified that he was on trial with the Pharisees because of the matter of resurrection from death (Acts 23:6, 24:21). He also said the resurrection is what declares and proves Jesus to be the Son of God (Romans 1:4). Peter defined the resurrection of Jesus as the reason for our spiritual birth and our hope of life (1Peter 1:3).

 

Romans10:9 declares that this resurrection is the foundation of the Gospel “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus really died. And Jesus really rose again!

[Joe_Applegarth]

Both of these men were wealthy, aristocratic and highly placed in the Sanhedrin.  Clearly, they were both disciples of Jesus who kept their discipleship secret out of fear of the Jewish leadership. (cf. John 19:38)  Was it good that they were secret disciples?  It’s easy to sit back 2000 years later and condemn these men for cowardice but in all honesty, it would have taken considerable courage for either one of these men to stand before the passion and fury of their counterparts to confess Jesus as the Messiah.  They risked losing everything they had, to include their lives, so to confess Jesus before the anger and contempt of their peers would have taken a level of courage that even Simon Peter didn’t possess.  In the end however, Jesus never rejected their “secret” discipleship and they both (boldly) played critical roles in honoring the body of Christ Jesus.

 

The account of Jesus’ burial is important for a number of reasons but it clearly brings to the forefront that being a “secret disciple” isn’t something to which any of us should ascribe.  Each and every one of us owes a profound obligation to the one who suffered terribly and willingly gave his life for us.  That obligation is to take advantage of every opportunity that we have to speak his name boldly and to boldly honor him by living our lives the way He lived His. In truth, there is more than enough of Jesus’ love to go around so we who have received His abundant blessings share a mutual obligation to share that glorious love with others. To lock the good news of Christ Jesus away in our own hearts is denying any possibility of salvation to those who don’t yet know him.

 

To understand who Jesus is, we need only look to John.  In 10:10, he quotes Jesus as saying "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” and then in 14:6 He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  That’s who Jesus is!  He willingly sacrificed Himself for our salvation and it’s only through faith that we can ever hope to live a full, abundant life and at the end of our days on this earth, spend eternity in fellowship with God.  Jesus Christ went to the cross willingly!  He went to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that when we stand before the throne, we can be sinless in the eyes of God.  If you refuse to receive God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus then you will unequivocally receive the judgment that you have so justly earned.

[Old Jerry]

Joseph and Nicodemus were disciples of Jesus only they were secret disciples. It probably was good that they were “secret disciples” because they had the means to give Jesus a decent burial. The burial account is important to Jesus’ story because we know for sure that Jesus had died on the cross.

[Godswriter]

Q5. (John 19:38-42) Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Was it good that they were “secret disciples”? What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus’ burial? Why is the burial account important to Jesus’ story? To our understanding of who Jesus is?

They were of the upper class who were also Sanhedrin who must have believed the message that the Lord was preaching at the time. I would have to say that I am no one to judge them and if they were brave enough to secretly bury Christ that shows devotion to Christ in and of itself. They could have incurred ridicule and being alienated by friends and family if found out. It is important because it is proof that Jesus died on the cross and that someone cared enough to give him a proper burial. It shows that Jesus was the Son of God. 

[Lisema Ralitsoele]

Q5. (John 19:38-42)

1.    Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus? Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were prominent Jewish leaders members of the Sanhedrin. Joseph is also reported to have been wealthy.

2.    Was it good that they were "secret disciples"? Who am I to judge? Perhaps the Holy Spirit descended on them to put away their fear and do what is good.

3.     What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial? They certainly incurred the risk of the wrath of the rest of the Jewish Sanhedrin with definite expulsion from that august body, and perhaps even death.

4.     Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story? The burial account is crucial to Jesus’ story as it leaves no room for doubt that Jesus suffered horrendous death by crucifixion and was securely buried by Joseph, a wealthy member of the Jewish Sanhedrin who did not stealthily steal the body, but got permission from Pilate, and completed the burial process with Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin. So the burial account proves that Jesus died, was buried and was not just left exposed to later claim to have risen.

5.    To our understanding of who Jesus is? It seals our understanding that Jesus IS our Redeemer who took away our sins to the grave where He left them and was resurrected to declare us new creatures righteous in the eyes of God the Father.
 

[Jonathan Edwards]

They were members of the Sanhedrin and were secret disciples.  The two men arranged the costly interment.  They cast away their fears of the Jews so quickly.  It is ironic that the disciples were publically associated with Christ during His mininistry had no share in the honors of His burial; while the opposite is true in regards to Joseph and Nicodemus.

Due to their unacknowledged faith, the way was prepared for the marvelous conversions on Pentecost and during the early days of the Church.  This must have impressed many timid believers to become strong witnesses for Christ.

Joseph and Nicodemus could have faced the coldness, contempt of their peers and the ridicule of the people.  It was their love of Jesus Christ that swayed their hearts.  Their fear of losing position, caste, and wealth were gone.

Burial account is quite important because it underscores that Christ was actually dead;  Christ was not just a Principle as our Christain Scientist friends teach.  In one sermon Pastor Spurgeon taught emphatically that Christ was no phantom; He was not a ghost.  Christ actually observed the Sabbath rest: His mission was completed before the commencement of the Sabbath; however He went down to Hades to preach the Gospel to those awaiting their full Redemption.   Christ is the New Adam.  Christ has the keys of hell and of death.  Christ preached the Gospel to the imprisoned fallen angels in Tartarus (1 Peter 3:19) while His body was in the grave.  These fallen angels are now bound in Tartarus in chains awaiting the Great white throne judgment.

This burial was done out of deep love for Christ.   Both Joseph and Nicodemus wanted to pay tribute to Jesus Christ in a public fashion; they considered Him as a great Prophet unlike the other Sanhedrin members.   This tomb would also give testimony of Christ's power over death; the faith of Joseph and Nicodemus was maturing.  This had an impact on the early Church in Jerusalem as we study Acts of the Apostles.

Edited February 3, 2022 by Jonathan Edwards
Need to complete assignment

[Irmela]

Q5. (John 19:38-42)

Who were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus?  Both were prominent Jews, members of the Sanhedrin, as well as followers of Jesus, even if it was secret disciples.  Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, asked Pilate for the body of Jesus , so he could bury it in his own family tomb which had never been used before.  Nicodemus brought spices, which they used to prepare the body for burial.  

Was it good that they were "secret disciples"?  Who am I to judge. We see with both of them, they came forward when it was dangerous for them to actually acknowledge their stand.  When the others were in hiding, they came into the open.

What risk did they incur by participating in Jesus' burial?  They would be thrown out of the synagogue or be ostracized by the Jews. They would loose their positions in their Jewish life/ their jobs possibly also now taken to be traitors or similar by their fellow members in the  Sanhedrin.

Why is the burial account important to Jesus' story?  It is very important, because it shows that the death of Jesus was not just acknowledged by His closest friends but also by members of high authority. His death and burial was completely authentic.  Then another point is that no one else had been buried in the tomb previously, so the body could not be mistaken for another.

Why is the burial account important to our understanding of who Jesus is?     According to prophecy He died and was buried  and rose from the DEAD.  This had to be because He died in our stead so we do not have to pay that price. It has been done.