Burial
Burial is the placing of a dead body in a tomb, grave, or similar resting place. In Scripture it is part of ordinary human death and, in Jesus’ case, confirms the reality of His death before His resurrection.
At a Glance
Burial is the placing of a dead body in a tomb, grave, or similar resting place. In Scripture it is part of ordinary human death and, in Jesus’ case, confirms the reality of His death before His resurrection.
Description
Burial is the act of laying the dead to rest, usually in a grave or tomb, and in Scripture it appears as a normal part of human life, family duty, mourning, and honor for the deceased. The Bible records many burials of patriarchs, kings, prophets, and ordinary people, sometimes noting honorable burial and sometimes the shame of being denied it. The burial of Jesus holds special significance in the gospel message: after His crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb, showing that His death was real, complete, and public before His bodily resurrection. Scripture therefore treats burial both as an ordinary human practice and, in the case of Christ, as an important part of the historical sequence of His death, burial, and resurrection.