King James Version

What Does John 19:38 Mean?

John 19:38 in the King James Version says “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that ... — study this verse from John chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

John 19:38 · KJV


Context

36

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave (Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἠρώτησεν τὸν Πιλᾶτον Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἁριμαθαίας, ὢν μαθητὴς τοῦ Ἰησοῦ κεκρυμμένος δὲ διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ· καὶ ἐπέτρεψεν ὁ Πιλᾶτος, Meta de tauta ērōtēsen ton Pilaton Iōsēph ho apo Harimathaias, ōn mathētēs tou Iēsou kekrymmenos de dia ton phobon tōn Ioudaiōn, hina arē to sōma tou Iēsou· kai epetrepsen ho Pilatos)—Joseph was μαθητὴς...κεκρυμμένος (mathētēs...kekrymmenos, 'a disciple...hidden') διὰ τὸν φόβον τῶν Ἰουδαίων (dia ton phobon tōn Ioudaiōn, 'because of the fear of the Jews'). Yet crisis prompted courage: he openly requested Jesus's body. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus—Joseph's public action 'outed' him as Jesus's follower, risking his Sanhedrin position (Mark 15:43 identifies him as 'an honourable counsellor').

Fear had kept Joseph secret, but Jesus's death catalyzed courageous faith. Sometimes God allows crisis to move secret disciples to public confession. Joseph's costly obedience—risking reputation, position, ritual defilement—demonstrates transformative faith. His unused tomb (Matthew 27:60) fulfilled Isaiah 53:9: 'with the rich in his death.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Arimathea was likely Ramathaim-zophim, Samuel's birthplace (1 Samuel 1:1), about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem. As a wealthy Sanhedrin member (Luke 23:50), Joseph had resources and influence to request the body and provide burial. Roman law typically allowed families to claim crucifixion victims' bodies; Pilate's permission shows respect for Joseph's status.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joseph's transformation from 'secret disciple' to public confessor demonstrate that crisis can strengthen rather than destroy faith?
  2. What modern forms of 'secret discipleship' do Christians practice to avoid social or professional cost?
  3. How did providing an honorable burial for Jesus demonstrate both love for Christ and courage to associate with a condemned criminal?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 40 words
Μετὰ1 of 40

after

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

δὲ2 of 40

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ταῦτα3 of 40

this

G5023

these things

ἠρώτησεν4 of 40

besought

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

τὸν5 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτος6 of 40

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

7 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰωσὴφ8 of 40

Joseph

G2501

joseph, the name of seven israelites

9 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπὸ10 of 40

of

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

Ἁριμαθαίας11 of 40

Arimathaea

G707

arimathaea (or ramah), a place in palestine

ὢν12 of 40

being

G5607

being

μαθητὴς13 of 40

a disciple

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

τοῦ14 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ15 of 40

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

κεκρυμμένος16 of 40

secretly

G2928

to conceal (properly, by covering)

δὲ17 of 40

And

G1161

but, and, etc

διὰ18 of 40

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸν19 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φόβον20 of 40

fear

G5401

alarm or fright

τῶν21 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίων22 of 40

of the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

ἵνα23 of 40

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ἦρεν24 of 40

he might take away

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

τὸ25 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σῶμα26 of 40

the body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τοῦ27 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ28 of 40

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ29 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπέτρεψεν30 of 40

gave him leave

G2010

to turn over (transfer), i.e., allow

31 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτος32 of 40

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

ἦλθεν33 of 40

He came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

οὖν34 of 40

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

καὶ35 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἦρεν36 of 40

he might take away

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

τὸ37 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σῶμα38 of 40

the body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τοῦ39 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦ40 of 40

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 19:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 19:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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