John 19:38-20:10
Dear RTB’ers,
As I was putting together the reading list for this month I thought it curious that the STS authors would combine the end of chapter 19, Jesus’ burial, with the beginning of chapter 20, the Resurrection. As I am reading it today, I see that these readings are not at all about the Crucifixion or the Resurrection, but are about the Tomb – about Jesus’ body being placed in the Tomb and then the Empty Tomb. And it makes me think differently.
Joseph and Nicodemus were deliberate in placing Jesus’ body carefully in the Tomb, including 75 pounds of spices to anoint His body, then following prescribed practices in wrapping His body in linen. [NOTE: 75 pounds is a lot; our chicken feed sacks on the farm were either 40 pounds or 50 pounds, and they were heavy! No doubt, Nicodemus had help carrying the spices!] So the end of chapter 19 has Jesus’ body carefully in the Tomb. (Matthew 27:66 even goes a step further: So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. See also Mt. 27:62-65.)
Then in the beginning of chapter 20 we do not yet have a resurrected Jesus per se; we have only the Empty Tomb. John’s gospel goes into detail describing the scene – Mary Magdelene’s report, the race to the Tomb, and the scene at the Tomb, even describing the linen wrappings: He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. (vv. 20:6b-7) The NASB has the face-cloth even …folded up in a place by itself.
All of this action, all of this description about the Tomb, not about Jesus’ Crucifixion or Resurrection. Ending our reading with verse 20:8 forces us to wonder with Peter and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved?) what was going on! Where is Jesus’ body? Has someone stolen it? And if stolen, why did the thieves bother with so much detail with the linen wrappings!! What’s going on?? What do we tell our friends?
Are you curious with Peter and John (and me)? Where is the body? Imagine the conversation among the disciples! Where is Jesus’ body…??!!
Blessings!
See also: