Devine Scripture

Luke 23:53

What does Luke 23:53 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:53 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:53 means

Joseph takes Jesus down, wraps Him in linen, and places Him in a tomb cut from rock where no one had yet been laid. This honorable burial contrasts with the shame of crucifixion. The new tomb removes any confusion about whose body is later missing. The careful wrapping and placement affirm that Jesus truly died. Even in death, He is treated with reverence by those who love Him. The setting preserves dignity and anticipates glory, for the tomb will be the scene of God’s vindication. What looks like finality becomes the doorway to resurrection joy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took it down, and folding it in a linen cloth, he put it in a place cut in the rock for a dead body; and no one had ever been put in it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having taken it down, he wrapped it in fine linen, and placed it in a tomb hewn out, where no one was yet laid.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And taking him down, he wrapped him in fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having taken it down, wrapped it in fine linen and placed him in a tomb hewn in the rock, where no one had ever been laid.

Context

Joseph carries out the burial promptly. The description emphasizes the tomb’s newness and rock-hewn quality, details that will matter when the women and then others revisit it. The next verse notes the time: the day of the Preparation, with the Sabbath drawing near, explaining the haste. After that, the women who came with Jesus from Galilee observe the tomb and how His body is laid, preparing to return after the Sabbath with spices they will ready beforehand.

v.52this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

v.53This passage

v.54And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:46

    And he bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.

  • Isaiah 53:9

    And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

  • Matthew 27:59

    And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

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