Matthew 27:57

‘And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple,'

‘When evening was come.' This is probably simply indicating that it was becoming dark. In Jewish eyes it was necessary for the bodies of the three to be taken down from their crosses before nightfall and disposed of in order to prevent bringing a curse on the land (Deuteronomy 21:23 was seen as applying to crucifixion). It was also necessary to do it before the Sabbath. This man knew this and sought to preempt the normal course of events.

‘A rich man.' The most obvious reason for describing Joseph specifically as ‘a rich man' would be in order to connect him with the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, ‘with the rich in His death', although it may also have been as a contrast to the ‘rich young man' who refused discipleship. Alternatively it may simply have been in order to bring out that some rich men also followed Jesus, but if that be the case why not also bring out that he was a member of the Sanhedrin? In view of Matthew's continual inferences as regards Scripture we must probably see this as another such reference. His Gospel is full of such inferences.

Matthew also tells us that he came from Arimathea, (another town unknown to us), that his name was Joseph, and that he was a disciple of Jesus, that is, he had listened to, and had positively responded to, Jesus' teaching, and was a recognised ‘follower', even though not actually accompanying Jesus around. John 19:38 calls him ‘a secret disciple, for fear of the Jews' (of whom there are still many). Luke tells us that ‘he was looking for the Kingly Rule of God' (Luke 23:51).

Matthew's naming of all these people, in contrast with his usual reticence about names, may well suggest that they were well known to him. But it appears more likely that his main purpose may have been as a comparison with Mary and Joseph in chapter 1.

‘There came.' This may well suggest that he had gone to the site of the crucifixion in order to determine what was happening about the bodies, with ‘there came' signifying ‘there came to where the women were'. But it may simply indicate ‘there now came into the picture'.