Joseph of Arimathea Takes a Stand - INDECISION OVERCOME

 By the time of Jesus' death, Joseph had evidently overcome his fears, and he decided to throw in his lot with Jesus' followers.  That decision is indicated by te words of Mark 15:43:  "He took courage and went in before  Pilate and asked for the body of  Jesu." 

It seems that Joseph was present when Jesus died.  Indeed, he knew of Jesus' death before Pilate did. Thus, when Josep asked for the body,  the governor  "wondered whether [Jesus] could already be dead." (Mark 15:44) If Joseph had witnesses  Jesus' agonly on the torture stake, did that awful scene move him to examine his conscience and finally decide that he out to stand a stand for the truth?  It is possible. At the very least, Joseph was now stirred to action.  He would be a secret  disciple no more.

Next time: Joseph of Arimathea Takes a Stand - JOSEPH BURIES JESUS

From the jw.org publications