Garden Tomb

Overview

• Type: Landmark
• Testament: New
• Modern Location: Just outside the walls of Jerusalem (the modern “Garden Tomb” near Damascus Gate is one proposed site)

Biblical Significance

The Garden Tomb was the burial place of Jesus, a new sepulchre set in a garden near the site of the crucifixion. John records, “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand” (John 19:41-42). The tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man and secret disciple, who with Nicodemus took the body, wrapped it in linen with spices, and laid it in his own freshly hewn rock tomb, rolling a great stone to the door (Matthew 27:57-60). That this tomb had never held another body underscored its fitness for the sinless Son of God. From this very garden sepulchre Christ rose on the third day, and there the angels declared to the women, “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6). The Garden Tomb is thus forever joined to the triumph of the resurrection.

Key Events

• Resurrection — Christ rose from this new sepulchre on the third day
• Coming of the Lord — His resurrection is the pledge of His return and the believer’s hope

Key People Associated

• Jesus Christ — buried and raised from this tomb
• Nicodemus — helped prepare and bury the body with spices

Important Verses

• John 19:41-42

Cross-References

• John — the burial in the garden sepulchre
• Matthew — Joseph of Arimathaea’s new tomb and the empty grave

Notes

• The detail that no man had yet been laid there marks the tomb as undefiled, suited to the holy body of Christ; the modern Garden Tomb is one proposed location, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre another.