King James Version

What Does Mark 15:46 Mean?

Mark 15:46 in the King James Version says “And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn ou... — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

Mark 15:46 · KJV


Context

44

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

45

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

46

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

47

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen—Joseph purchased fine linen, expensive cloth used for burial shrouds, demonstrating both wealth and devotion. Took him down required removing the nails—agonizing labor even handling a corpse. Wrapped means to wind, roll, envelop—Jewish burial custom involved wrapping bodies with linen strips and aromatic spices (John 19:39-40 notes Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds). And laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock—The tomb was carved from rock, a costly burial type reserved for wealthy families. Matthew 27:60 specifies it was Joseph's own new tomb, unused—fulfilling Isaiah 53:9. And rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre—A massive disk-shaped stone weighing 1-2 tons rolled in a groove to seal the entrance. Matthew 27:60 calls it a great stone.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish burial involved washing the body, anointing with spices, wrapping in linen strips, and placing in a tomb. Bodies decomposed over about a year, after which bones were collected and placed in ossuaries. Rock-hewn tombs with rolling stones were expensive—most Jews were buried in simple ground graves. Joseph's gift honored Jesus extravagantly. The urgency meant minimal preparation. The women planned to return Sunday with additional spices (Mark 16:1), explaining their early morning visit when they discovered the empty tomb. Everything conspired providentially—Joseph's wealth provided the tomb; Pilate's cooperation allowed burial; the Sabbath prevented further attention until Sunday; guards prevented tampering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joseph's expensive linen and personal tomb demonstrate costly discipleship?
  2. What do the burial details reveal about God's preparation of evidence for resurrection belief?
  3. How does Jesus's burial in a wealthy man's tomb fulfill Isaiah 53:9 and demonstrate God's sovereign orchestration?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

And

G2532

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

ἀγοράσας2 of 27

he bought

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

σινδόνι3 of 27

fine linen

G4616

byssos, i.e., bleached linen (the cloth or a garment of it)

καὶ4 of 27

And

G2532

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

καθελὼν5 of 27

took him down

G2507

to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν6 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐνείλησεν7 of 27

and wrapped

G1750

to enwrap

τῇ8 of 27
G3588

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

σινδόνι9 of 27

fine linen

G4616

byssos, i.e., bleached linen (the cloth or a garment of it)

καὶ10 of 27

And

G2532

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

κατέθηκεν11 of 27

laid

G2698

to place down, i.e., deposit (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὸν12 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν13 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μνημείου14 of 27

a sepulchre

G3419

a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)

15 of 27

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἦν16 of 27

was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

λελατομημένον17 of 27

hewn

G2998

to quarry

ἐκ18 of 27

out of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

πέτρας19 of 27

a rock

G4073

a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively)

καὶ20 of 27

And

G2532

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

προσεκύλισεν21 of 27

rolled

G4351

to roll towards, i.e., block against

λίθον22 of 27

a stone

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ23 of 27

unto

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν24 of 27
G3588

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

θύραν25 of 27

the door

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

τοῦ26 of 27
G3588

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

μνημείου27 of 27

a sepulchre

G3419

a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 15:46 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 Mark 15:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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