Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, who had become a follower of Jesus. After the crucifixion, he requested the body of Jesus from Pontius Pilate and buried it in his own new rock-hewn tomb. This act — publicly identifying himself as a follower of an executed man — was an act of courage that provided the specific, identifiable location that became central to the apostolic proclamation of the Resurrection. All four Gospels record his action, making it one of the best-attested details of the Passion.

Traditionally, Joseph of Arimathea became the subject of considerable legendary expansion, particularly in the Western Church. A widespread medieval tradition claims that Joseph, having obtained the cup used at the Last Supper (the Holy Grail), traveled to Britain and founded the first Christian community at Glastonbury in Somerset. According to the legend, Joseph planted his walking staff (a thorn) at Glastonbury, which burst into bloom and became the 'Holy Thorn,' said to flower on Christmas Day.

This Glastonbury legend first appears in the writings of William of Malmesbury in the 12th century and was elaborated throughout the medieval period, particularly in Arthurian romance traditions. However, there is no historical evidence whatsoever for Joseph's connection to Britain, and the tradition is a late medieval conflation of biblical Joseph, Arthurian legend, and local Glastonbury mythology.

Joseph is introduced in the Passion narratives of all four Gospels. Matthew describes him as 'a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus' (27:57). Mark calls him 'a respectable member of the council, who was also himself waiting for the kingdom of God' (15:43). Luke adds that he was 'a good and righteous man' who had not consented to the Sanhedrin's decision regarding Jesus (23:50–51). John provides additional context: Joseph was 'a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because of his fear of the Jews' (19:38).

All four evangelists agree on the essential facts: Joseph went to Pontius Pilate and requested the body of Jesus. He took the body down from the cross (or arranged for it to be removed), wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock. Matthew notes that he 'rolled a great stone' to the entrance (27:60); Mark and Luke mention that the stone was rolled and the women observed where the body was placed (Mark 15:46–47, Luke 23:53–55).

• Confessor