In the exploration of friendships within biblical narratives, the relationship between Jesus Christ and Joseph of Arimathea stands out as particularly intriguing. After His death, Christ's body was laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a disciple of Christ, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 that He would be with the rich at His death. Joseph, hailing from the town of Arimathea, took the body of Jesus, hastily prepared it for burial, and laid it in his own tomb. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jewish people, yet described as a good and just man. Despite his position, Joseph was a secret believer, fearing the repercussions of publicly declaring his faith, which could have destroyed the life he and his family enjoyed. Joseph awaited the Kingdom of God, well-versed in the Old Testament, anticipating the reign of the promised Messiah. Alongside Nicodemus, another secret disciple from the Sanhedrin, he took down the body of Jesus from the cross, a task too burdensome for one man alone. At a critical moment when many of Christ's acquaintances stood at a distance, Joseph courageously stepped forward to claim Christ's body from His executioners. This act likely cost him his position in the community, and possibly his wealth and job, as he chose to honor Christ over his societal standing. Joseph's example illustrates the struggle of serving two masters and the ultimate decision to prioritize faith, demonstrating courage in coming out of sin and sacrificing personal gains to honor Christ.

Joseph of Arimathea was a significant figure, being a member of the Sanhedrin and a respected man within the community in Judea and Jerusalem. His position lent credibility to his observations and reports. As one of the key eyewitnesses, Joseph confirmed the death of Jesus Christ, having personally handled the body during the embalming and burial process. Over a period of hours, he verified that there was no life in the body, providing strong evidence of the reality of Jesus Christ's death. Additionally, Joseph, along with Nicodemus, placed the body in the tomb, an act witnessed by others, ensuring that the location of the burial was known and undisputed.

Joseph of Arimathea played a crucial role in the burial of Jesus Christ after His crucifixion. Following Jesus' death on the cross at about 3 PM, Joseph, along with Nicodemus, took down His body and prepared it for burial. With limited daylight remaining, they worked swiftly to place Jesus in the tomb before sunset, a timing confirmed by all accounts as being very near the close of the day. The urgency of their task was evident, as they barely had time to roll the stone over the entrance to the tomb before darkness fell. This burial marked the beginning of the 72-hour period that Jesus had prophesied as the sign of His Messiahship, during which He would remain in the heart of the earth until His resurrection at sunset. Additionally, the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee observed Joseph and Nicodemus as they laid His body in the tomb, noting the location so they could return later to anoint Him with spices.