Complex Webs of Complex People

Matthew 27:57-66

Why didn't the Pharisees ask for the body of Jesus?  They had plenty of time during the spectacle to ask Pilate to give them the body once He was dead.  Did it not occur to them?  Certainly, after Jesus had been placed in the tomb, they thought about making sure that nothing funny happened with His body.  I'm no expert, but perhaps they usually left the bodies up for a while.  But in John, the leaders specifically ask to have the bodies taken down because of the Sabbath.  If they had asked for that, why not ask for the body as well?

Joseph cared about Jesus.  His concern for his friend (I think they must have been) led him to think of what to do with His body.  Joseph is an interesting guy.  A member of the council (though he didn't go along with their plans), a secret disciple (because he was afraid of the council still), and a faithful man waiting for the kingdom.  You can bet he got into some trouble from the rest of the council for what he did.  Or perhaps he was able to spin it so that it didn't seem out of place.  He was a member of the council, and although not acting on their behalf, they at least knew where He was going to be buried and were able to set some guards up.  It's an interesting time for Joseph to step forward, though.  He was a secret disciple, but now that Jesus was dead, he was outing himself.  Perhaps he had a real deep faith and understanding of what Jesus' death meant.  Or not.  It's an interesting episode for the complex relationships it involves.