Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus had openly accepted the Saviour while He was living. They knew that such a step would exclude them from the Sanhedrin, and they hoped to protect Him by their influence in its councils. For a time they had seemed to succeed; but the wily priests, seeing their favor to Christ, had thwarted their plans. In their absence Jesus had been condemned and delivered to be crucified. Now that He was dead, they no longer concealed their attachment to Him. While the disciples feared to show themselves openly as His followers, 774 Joseph and Nicodemus came boldly to their aid. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at this time. They could do for their dead Master what it was impossible for the poor disciples to do; and their wealth and influence protected them, in a great measure, from the malice of the priests and rulers.

Selv i døden var Kristi legeme meget dyrebart for hans disciple. De længtes efter at give ham en ærefuld begravelse, men de vidste ikke, hvordan det skulle lade sig gøre for dem. Den forbrydelse, som Jesus var blevet dømt for, var forræderi mod den romerske regering, og mænd, der var blevet henrettet for denne forbrydelse, var henvist til en begravelsesplads, der særligt var beregnet for den slags overtrædere. Disciplen Johannes var sammen med kvinderne fra Galilæa blevet stående ved korset. De kunne ikke overlade deres Herres legeme til de ufølsomme soldaters behandling og til at blive begravet i en vanærende grav. Men alligevel kunne de ikke forhindre dette. De kunne ikke opnå nogen begunstigelse fra de jødiske myndigheder, og de havde ingen indflydelse hos Pilatus.