Joseph of Arimathea
By zteve t evans
Joseph of Arimathea holds a peculiar place in the mythology and traditions of England. He was a wealthy Jewish merchant from Judea who was also a contemporary follower of Jesus Christ. As a member of the Jewish council, or Sanhedrin, he was a man of considerable influence in his own country. Joseph of Arimathea is so named because he came from Arimathea in Judea. He was mentioned in all four gospels and from these we know he was a good and righteous man.
After the crucifixion of Jesus it was Joseph who persuaded Pontius Pilate to release his body into his care and he placed it in a tomb which possibly had been intended for himself. Joseph was believed by many people to be the the uncle of Mary, mother of Jesus, which would have made him the great-uncle of Jesus. This would lend authority to him claiming the body of Jesus as it was the responsibility of male relatives to take care of the body of those crucified.
After the crucifixion of Jesus it was Joseph who persuaded Pontius Pilate to release his body into his care and he placed it in a tomb which possibly had been intended for himself. Joseph was believed by many people to be the the uncle of Mary, mother of Jesus, which would have made him the great-uncle of Jesus. This would lend authority to him claiming the body of Jesus as it was the responsibility of male relatives to take care of the body of those crucified.
Joseph of Arimathea Among the Rocks of Albion
By William Blake
After the death of Jesus
After the Crucifixion of Jesus it was Joseph who obtained permission from Pilate to remove his body and give it a proper burial. Many people see this as additional evidence that he was a relative of Jesus as close male relatives of crucifixion victims were expected to take responsibility for the body at such times. Joseph, with the help of Nicodemus embalmed the body wrapping it in cloth and sealing the tomb’s entrance with a heavy boulder.
Joseph in Britain
As a merchant and trader who traveled to many countries and legend has says that he spent time in England on business. He may have traded tin at nearby St Michael's Mount and there is also a legend that on one visit he brought with him a young Jesus who is reputed to have preached to local tin miners of the Ding Dong mines. According to a local legend the St Just in Roseland Church, Cornwall, stands at the place where Joseph came ashore with Jesus.
Glastonbury
Joseph is also strongly connected to Glastonbury in Somerset, where he is said to have built the first Christian church in England, and possibly the world. According to some legends when he returned to England after the death of Jesus he brought with him the Holy Chalice which was said to be the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. He was also said to have brought two vials. Some say that he brought one vial of blood and another of sweat from the body of Jesus. Others say it both vials contained the sweat. He was said to have hid the Holy Chalice in Chalice Well at Glastonbury. The Holy Chalice also became known as the Holy Grail. He is also said to have thrust his staff, which according to some legends had been grown from the Christ's Holy Crown of Thorns, into the soil on Wearyall Hill, Glastonbury, His staff is said to have grown into the Holy Thorn Tree, the descendants of this are still present in the area.
He is said to have hidden the Holy Chalice in Chalice Well caused the waters to run red. His connection to Glastonbury is difficult to prove and some people see it as a cynical ploy by local church authorities in the Middle Ages to add significance to the church and area by claiming connections to such an eminent person.
Establishing Christianity in Britain
Joseph is a significant figure in English folklore and many legends and traditions have sprung up around him during his time in England. He was among a group of apostles sent out by St Philip to spread the word of Christ. St Philip allotted the task of establishing christianity in Britain to Joseph. He is credited by many people with building the first Christian church in Britain at what is now Glastonbury in Somerset and possibly the first in the world.
Joseph’s legacy
Joseph was believed to have converted thousands of people to the Christian faith, including Ethelbert, a local king of the time. He was also said to have founded Glastonbury Abbey. At his death at the age of 86, it is said that he was so respected that six kings bore his coffin. His life and actions in Britain remains enigmatic and whatever the truth is we will probably never know but Joseph of Arimathea remains an important figure in English and Christian tradition.
© 18/01/2015 zteve t evans
After the Crucifixion of Jesus it was Joseph who obtained permission from Pilate to remove his body and give it a proper burial. Many people see this as additional evidence that he was a relative of Jesus as close male relatives of crucifixion victims were expected to take responsibility for the body at such times. Joseph, with the help of Nicodemus embalmed the body wrapping it in cloth and sealing the tomb’s entrance with a heavy boulder.
Joseph in Britain
As a merchant and trader who traveled to many countries and legend has says that he spent time in England on business. He may have traded tin at nearby St Michael's Mount and there is also a legend that on one visit he brought with him a young Jesus who is reputed to have preached to local tin miners of the Ding Dong mines. According to a local legend the St Just in Roseland Church, Cornwall, stands at the place where Joseph came ashore with Jesus.
Glastonbury
Joseph is also strongly connected to Glastonbury in Somerset, where he is said to have built the first Christian church in England, and possibly the world. According to some legends when he returned to England after the death of Jesus he brought with him the Holy Chalice which was said to be the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper. He was also said to have brought two vials. Some say that he brought one vial of blood and another of sweat from the body of Jesus. Others say it both vials contained the sweat. He was said to have hid the Holy Chalice in Chalice Well at Glastonbury. The Holy Chalice also became known as the Holy Grail. He is also said to have thrust his staff, which according to some legends had been grown from the Christ's Holy Crown of Thorns, into the soil on Wearyall Hill, Glastonbury, His staff is said to have grown into the Holy Thorn Tree, the descendants of this are still present in the area.
He is said to have hidden the Holy Chalice in Chalice Well caused the waters to run red. His connection to Glastonbury is difficult to prove and some people see it as a cynical ploy by local church authorities in the Middle Ages to add significance to the church and area by claiming connections to such an eminent person.
Establishing Christianity in Britain
Joseph is a significant figure in English folklore and many legends and traditions have sprung up around him during his time in England. He was among a group of apostles sent out by St Philip to spread the word of Christ. St Philip allotted the task of establishing christianity in Britain to Joseph. He is credited by many people with building the first Christian church in Britain at what is now Glastonbury in Somerset and possibly the first in the world.
Joseph’s legacy
Joseph was believed to have converted thousands of people to the Christian faith, including Ethelbert, a local king of the time. He was also said to have founded Glastonbury Abbey. At his death at the age of 86, it is said that he was so respected that six kings bore his coffin. His life and actions in Britain remains enigmatic and whatever the truth is we will probably never know but Joseph of Arimathea remains an important figure in English and Christian tradition.
© 18/01/2015 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright January 18th, 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright January 18th, 2015 zteve t evans
- Joseph of Arimathea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Joseph of Arimathea - BBC
- The History of that Holy Disciple Joseph of Arimathea ...
