Jesus is Crucified
Jesus was crucified on the cross and died at 3 p.m.. Joseph of Arimathea, went to
Pilate and received permission to take the body of Jesus for burial. Jesus was taken
down from the cross and wrapped in linen and placed in the tomb, a tomb that
belonged to Joseph, and had never been used. Nicodemus went with Joseph and had
brought some spices to place around the body of Jesus, and when they were done they
rolled a stone over the door. The Jewish leaders talked Pilate into placing guards
at the tomb, so that no one would be able to steal the body of Jesus. They were
aware of His statement about His resurrection, and they wanted to prevent someone
stealing the body and just saying that He had risen. The Sabbath started at
approximately 6 p.m in the evening so no further work was allowed to be done in
relation to the burial of Jesus. It was also the first day of the feast of Passover,
the feast of the unleavened bread. (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56;
John 19:31-42)
At dawn on Sunday, the first day of the week, an angel of the Lord descended from
heaven and rolled the stone back from the door and sat on it. Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary went to see the tomb (Matthew 28:1-4). When they arrived, they found the
tomb had been opened and the body of Jesus was gone. Two angels appeared to them and
told them, He is not here: for He is risen as He said (Matthew 28:6-7).