Jesus Is Buried^(A)

³⁸ ·Later [^LAfter these things], Joseph from Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take the body of Jesus. (Joseph was a secret ·follower [disciple] of Jesus, because he was afraid of ·some of the leaders [the Jewish leaders; ^Lthe Jews].) Pilate gave his permission, so Joseph came and took Jesus’ body away. ³⁹ Nicodemus, who earlier had come to Jesus at night [3:1–15; 7:50–52], went with Joseph. He brought about seventy-five pounds [^CGreek: a hundred litrai; a litra was about 12 ounces] of [a mixture of] myrrh and aloes [^Cused to cover a decomposing body to prevent the stench]. ⁴⁰ These two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it with the spices in pieces of linen cloth, ·which is how they bury the dead [^Laccording to the burial custom of the Jews]. ⁴¹ In the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb that had never been used before. ⁴² The men laid Jesus in that tomb because it was nearby, and ·they were preparing to start their Sabbath day [^Lbecause it was the Jewish Day of Preparation].