Joseph of Arimathea


Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph of Arimathaea by James Tissot, between 1886 and 1894
Secret Disciple of Jesus, Righteous
Diedc. 1st century
Venerated in
CanonizedPre-Congregation
Major shrineSyriac Orthodox Chapel of Holy Sepulchre
Feast
PatronageFuneral directors and undertakers

Joseph of Arimathea (Ancient Greek: Ἰωσὴφ ὁ ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθαίας) is a Biblical figure who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. Three of the four canonical Gospels identify him as a member of the Sanhedrin, while the Gospel of Matthew identifies him as a rich disciple of Jesus. The historical location of Arimathea is uncertain, although it has been identified with several towns. A number of stories about him developed during the Middle Ages.