Source: “On the Resurrection: volume 1”: Evidences, 2024 by Gary Habermas Published by B&H Academic Brentwood, Tennessee.
The Jesus Burial - Evidence and Probability.pdf
This podcast examines the historical evidence surrounding Jesus's burial, particularly challenging alternative theories that deviate from the traditional Gospel accounts. It highlights the strong scholarly consensus supporting the burial of Jesus's body by Joseph of Arimathea in a tomb, citing multiple early sources, eyewitness testimony, and the linguistic meaning of "buried" as evidence. The podcast also scrutinizes arguments against the traditional narrative, such as those proposed by John Dominic Crossan and Bart Ehrman, finding them to be based on weak or unevidenced assumptions. Ultimately, the podcast concludes that the historical data overwhelmingly favors the traditional burial account over speculative alternatives like Jesus's body being left for scavengers or discarded in a common grave.
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are iconic events, anchoring Western history and global faith. But what about the moments in between? The fate of his body is often treated as a settled postscript, yet for historians, this is where the detective work becomes most intense.
Far from a simple interlude, Jesus's burial is a crucial "isthmus that connected the grand events of Jesus's death and his ensuing resurrection appearances." It is also the subject of a fierce scholarly debate filled with surprising twists. Many assume the body was either unceremoniously discarded or buried exactly as the Gospels say, but a deeper analysis reveals a far more complex picture. This article explores five impactful takeaways from that debate—evidence drawn from linguistic forensics, enemy attestation, and narrative deconstruction—that will challenge what you think you know.
In a stunning turn, all four Gospels report that the person who steps forward to ensure Jesus receives a proper burial is Joseph of Arimathea. This isn't a follower from the inner circle; Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin—the very council that played a central role in Jesus's death sentence.