And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

LUKE 23:53KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 23:53 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:53 mean?

Luke 23:53 describes how Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in linen cloth, and placed in a tomb carved out of rock, a tomb where no one had ever been laid before. This verse highlights the care and respect given to Jesus’ burial after his crucifixion.

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish council who had not agreed with Jesus’ condemnation, is the one who takes this action. The verse sets the scene after Jesus’ death, showing Joseph personally handling Jesus’ body and ensuring it is placed in a new, unused tomb. This detail about the tomb being unused emphasizes the honor and dignity given to Jesus in his burial, and it also sets up the events of the resurrection narrative that follows.

The Greek behind Luke 23:53

  • The word for "wrapped" is ἐνείλησεν (eneilēsen), which means to wrap or enfold. This shows that Jesus’ body was carefully prepared, not just placed in the tomb without attention.
  • The word for "sepulchre" is μνημεῖον (mnēmeion), meaning a tomb or memorial. This term often refers to a rock-cut tomb, which was a more expensive and honorable burial place.
  • The phrase "wherein never man before was laid" uses the Greek words οὐδέπω (oudépō, "never yet") and οὐδεὶς (oudeís, "no one"). This stresses that the tomb was completely new, underlining the uniqueness of Jesus’ burial.

Why Luke 23:53 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus was given a respectful and proper burial, countering any idea that his body was discarded or treated shamefully.
  • The detail about the unused tomb fulfills Jewish customs about ritual purity and also lines up with prophecies about the Messiah’s burial.
  • By describing the specific actions and care of Joseph of Arimathea, Luke sets up the narrative for the resurrection, making it clear that there could be no confusion about whose body was in the tomb.

Where else these words appear

“wrapped” Greek G1794 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
  • John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

“linen” Greek G4616 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
  • Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
  • Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

“man” Greek G3764 · used in 5 verses

  • John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
  • John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
  • John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

“sepulchre” Greek G3418 · used in 7 verses

  • Mark 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
  • Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
  • Acts 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.