Week 25 Mark 15
One of the few places in the NT where the word courage is used comes right after the crucifixion when Joseph of Arimathea gathered up courage to ask for Jesus’ body so he could bury it. Some versions say that Joseph:
• boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body (quite a few use bold)
• dared to approach Pilate
• was brave enough to go to Pilate.
I looked up ‘courage’ in the dictionary. Sure enough – one of the synonyms of courage is boldness. Implying daring or fearlessness. Maybe even brashness. Which I’m not sure Joseph was. I prefer courage. Joseph:
• took courage and went to Pilate
• gathered up courage
• took his courage in both hands.
Mark called Joseph a prominent member of the Council, who was…waiting for the kingdom of God
Matthew: a rich man from Arimathea…who (had) become a disciple of Jesus
Luke: a member of the Council, a good and righteous man
And John: a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews.
Going to Jesus’ executioner was a hazard for Joseph and he’d likely have done some serious risk assessment. There’d be the possibility of guilt-by-association. Sticky questions to answer. Suspicions to deal with. Getting shut down. Reputation to lose.
So maybe Joseph’s life wasn’t on-the-line. But going to Pilate still took courage since Joseph had to gather-up-his-courage to do it.
Note: quotes from Mark 15:43 (NASB & CSB CEB ERV ESV LSB & NTFE). Joseph: Mark 15:43 Matthew 27:57 Luke 23:50 John 19:38 (NASB)