John 19:38-39
19:38 a According to Luke, Joseph of Arimathea was a courageous man who was waiting for the Kingdom of God (Luke 23:50-51 b). He was a wealthy (Matt 27:57 c) and influential leader in Jerusalem and a member of the high council (Mark 15:43 d) who disagreed with the decision to kill Jesus. He asked Pilate for the favor of burying Jesus in his personal tomb.• Joseph was a secret disciple (cp. John 12:42-43 e), but his bold deed brought out his public support of Jesus.
19:39 f Nicodemus (see 3:1 g; 7:50 h), a member of the high council, understood that these bodies had to be buried before the upcoming Sabbath (19:31 i, 42 j). His public support, as with Joseph of Arimathea, might indicate that he, too, was becoming a disciple (see study note on 7:49-51).
• Myrrh was a commonly used aromatic powder.
• The aloes were fragrant powdered sandalwood often used as perfume.
• seventy-five pounds: This enormous amount of spices was appropriate for royalty; Jesus, the king, was given a royal burial.
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