Arimathæa is generally identified with Ramathaim-zophim, on Mount Ephraim, the birth-place of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1), the site of which is undetermined. Many authorities place it much nearer to Jerusalem than the position indicated in the map.

Ἰωσήφ. From the other two Synoptic Gospels we learn that he was ‘an honourable (Mark) counsellor (Mark and Luke),’ i.e. a member of the Sanhedrin. Like Nicodemus, he was a secret disciple of Jesus, and must undoubtedly have absented himself from the meetings of the Sanhedrin when Jesus was condemned. He ‘had not consented to the counsel and deed of them’ (Luke).

An ancient but groundless legend has connected Joseph of Arimathæa with Glastonbury, where, it is said, he built of osier-twigs the first Christian Church in England. It is with this legend that the ‘Quest of the San Grail’ is connected.

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Old Testament