Where was Jesus buried?
It was a Friday nearly two thousand years ago that Jesus was arrested in the early morning hours and subjected to a series of degrading, even illegal trials. All four Gospel accounts speak of Jesus being led by the Jewish leaders to the presence of the Judaean prefect, Pontius Pilate. After a brief examination, the Savior was sent to Herod Antipas, and then back to Pilate where a final decision was made regarding His fate. At the urging of the gathered crowds, Pilate relented and commanded Jesus’ crucifixion. When they arrived at Calvary, also known as the Place of the Skull, He was crucified at about 9am, and He remained hanging atop the wood until He passedsix hours later about 3 o’clock that Friday afternoon.
At that point, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council and disciple of Jesus approached Pilate requesting Jesus’ body for burial. When Pilate’s soldiers had confirmed the Savior’s death, a quick one after only six hours on the cross—a person crucified could often linger for days—permission was granted for Joseph and his colleagues to take the body (Matt. 27:57-61; John 19:38-42). Helping him with the burial was Nicodemus, the Pharisee who had visited with Jesus in John 3 and defended Him in John 7, who provided a large amount, perhaps 75 pounds, of spices for embalming (John 19:39). Joseph, whom the Bible calls “a rich man” (Matt. 27:57), possessed a sepulchre in which he placed the body. The Bible tells us that this tomb was located in the garden near where Jesus was crucified (John 19:41). The Book also informs us that no one had yet been buried in this tomb which had been carved out the rock.
The geographyof this region is noteworthy for this story. The city of Jerusalem lies on a limestone ridge passing through the center of the country from the north to the south. Because of this, the landscape has shallow soil, making it difficult to dig into the ground for a grave. On the other hand, the rocky structure offers numerous caves and places where a burial tombs could be cut.
Although we do not known the precise spot where Jesus was laid to rest, there are two main sites regarded as possible locations: The Garden Tomb site, and the area within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Garden Tomb
The Garden Tomb has been offered as the Lord’s burial location since the 1840s. In John 19:20 the Bible describes the crucifixion and burial as occurring outside the city walls. The traditional site, where Church of the Holy Sepulcher sits today, is inside the more modern city walls, and researchers in the 1800s believed that disqualified the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the search was on to find the “right” location. and in the late 1800s the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb, was within the city walls. That prompted discoverers to believe the Church of the Holy Sepulchre could not have been the true spot, and this Garden Tomb was promoted instead. However, more recent studies have revealed that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was outside the city walls in Christ’s time.
 The Garden TombThis is the front of the Garden Tomb area. |  The Garden TombThe channel down the front of the stone is where a stone might have been positioned. |  The Garden TombThis stone would be like one used to seal a tomb, rolled into place to cover the opening. |
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 The Garden TombThe interior shows bench-like areas for sitting. |
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
This is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a structure built over what is, again, believed to be the traditional sitefor the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. According to ancient sources, the original structure was built in the late 320s or just after through the direction of the Emperor Constantine around what was believed to be both the site of Calvary and the crucifixion, as well as the garden tomb in which Joseph and Nicodemus laid the Lord’s body.
 Church of Holy Sepulchre Entryway |  Church Floor PlanOf primary interest are the Stone of Anointing, the Rock of Calvary, and the Holy Sepulchre. |  Church of the Holy Sepulchre Stone of AnointingThis is alleged to be the stone on which Jesus was laid while His body was prepared for burial. |
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 Rock of Calvary SiteThis is alleged to be the spot where the cross stood. |  Holy Sepulcher Tomb SiteThis is believed to house the tomb where Jesus' body was laid to rest. |
No matter where Jesus' body was actually buried, it is crucial to remember that He was resurrected on Sunday, the first day of that week (Mark 16:1). The sign to the right, found on the door at the Garden Tomb, tells the most significant story--He is risen!
