Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:59

What does Matthew 27:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:59 means

Joseph wraps Jesus’ body in a clean linen cloth. This detail conforms to Jewish burial customs and underscores Joseph’s respect and devotion. The clean linen points to honor and ritual purification, giving dignity to Jesus’ death. The act is intimate and costly, performed by a disciple risking association. It also prepares the body for placement in the tomb, signaling the end of Jesus’ mortal suffering and the reverent care given by those who recognized his significance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Joseph took the body, folding it in clean linen,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having taken the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Joseph taking the body wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Joseph having got the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Context

This verse follows Pilate’s command to release the body (v. 58) and describes Joseph’s immediate actions in preparing Jesus for burial. The clean linen and careful wrapping contrast sharply with earlier abuse and strip the spectacle of its last indignity, moving toward the placement in a new tomb (v. 60).

v.58this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up.

v.59This passage

v.60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.

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