50 Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The burial of Christ is now added, as an intermediate transition from the ignominy of the cross to the glory of the resurrection. True, indeed, God determined, for another reason, that Christ should be buried, that it might be more fully attested that he suffered real death on our account. But yet it ought to be regarded as the principal design, that in this manner the cursing, which he had endured for a short time, began to be removed; for his body was not thrown into a ditch in the ordinary way, but honorably laid in a hewn sepulcher. Although at that time the weakness of the flesh was still visible, and the divine power of the Spirit was not clearly seen before his resurrection; yet God determined by this, as a sort of preparation, to shadow out what he was shortly afterwards to do, that he might exalt gloriously above the heavens his Son, the conqueror of death.
See the Matthew 27:57-61 notes; Mark 15:42-47 notes.
Joseph of Arimathea - See the notes on Matthew 27:57-60 (note), and those especially on Mark 15:43 (note).
(17) And, behold, [there was] a man named Joseph, a counsellor; [and he was] a good man, and a just:
(17) Christ, through his well known burial, confirms both the truth of his death as well as his resurrection, by the plain and evident witness of Pilate.
And behold, there was a man named Joseph,.... See Gill on Matthew 27:57.
a counsellor; Mark says, he was an "honourable" one; he was either one of the council of the high priest, or a member of the great sanhedrim; See Gill on Mark 15:43.
and he was a good man, and a just; he was kind and beneficent in his temper, and just, and righteous in his life and actions; a like character is given of Joseph the husband of Mary, the mother of our Lord, Matthew 1:19.
Many, though they do not make any show in outward profession, yet, like Joseph of Arimathea, will be far more ready to do real service, when there is occasion, than others who make a greater noise. Christ was buried in haste, because the sabbath drew on. Weeping must not hinder sowing. Though they were in tears for the death of their Lord, yet they must prepare to keep holy the sabbath. When the sabbath draws on, there must be preparation. Our worldly affairs must be so ordered, that they may not hinder us from our sabbath work; and our holy affections so stirred up, that they may carry us on in it. In whatever business we engage, or however our hearts may be affected, let us never fail to get ready for, and to keep holy, the day of sacred rest, which is the Lord's day.
On The Burial of Jesus, see notes on Matthew 27:57-61. Compare Mark 15:42-47 and John 19:36-42.
A counsellor. A member of the Sanhedrim.
Had not consented to their counsel. Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus could have been present when Jesus was condemned, and perhaps were not invited.
That day was the preparation. For the Passover, see John 19:14. This shows that the Jews had not yet eaten their passover.
*More commentary available at chapter level.