Mark 15:46, commentary and pictures

Jesus' lifeless body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in fine linen, and laid in Joseph's new rock-hewn tomb near Calvary, which no one had used before and which had been prepared for Him, and a heavy stone was rolled across the entrance to close it. The wrapping was done carefully and reverently according to the burial custom of wrapping the dead in linen with ointments and spices. Nicodemus brought about a hundred pounds of costly myrrh and aloes as a lavish sign of respect, and the spices were placed with the body.

This was an honorable burial rather than burial with those executed for treason against Rome in a place set apart for criminals, which was the charge laid against Jesus. John feared that unfeeling soldiers would handle Jesus' body roughly and put it in a dishonored grave, and he had no influence with Pilate to prevent it. Joseph obtained the body, and Joseph and Nicodemus, wealthy and influential members of the Sanhedrin, secured a proper burial and provided what the poor disciples could not, which also helped shield the disciples from the priests' hostility. Having concealed their attachment to Jesus while He lived, they openly came to His aid after His death.

The disciples gave Jesus an honored burial despite their grief and disappointed hopes. The women and other followers watched the burial, stayed until He was laid to rest and saw the stone placed, remained grieving near the tomb as evening came, and feared His enemies might take His body. Angels watched over the tomb and waited for the command to release Jesus from death. While Jesus lay in the tomb, the sick who had sought Him as their healer could no longer receive His healing touch.