Pilate then gave an official order that the body of Jesus should be given to Joseph. While the disciple John was anxious and troubled about the sacred remains of his beloved Master, Joseph of Arimathea returned with the commission from the governor; and Nicodemus, anticipating the result of Joseph’s interview with Pilate, came with a costly mixture of myrrh and aloes of about one hundred pounds’ weight. The most honored in all Jerusalem could not have been shown more respect in death. {3SP 174.2}

Pilatus udsendte nu en officiel befaling, at man skulle overlevere Jesu legeme til Josef. I den samme stund, som disciplen Johannes ængstede og besværede sig angående sin elskede Mesters hellige legeme, vendte Josef fra Arimatæa tilbage med landshøvdingens fuldmagt, og Nikodemus, som havde tænkt sig, hvad udfald Josef samtale med Pilatus ville få, kom med en kostbar blanding af myrra og aloe, henved hundrede pund. Man kunne ikke have vist den fornemste mand i hele Jerusalem nogen støre ære i hans død.