The History of that Holy Disciple Joseph of Arimathea

by: Anonymous (Author)

from: The History of That Holy Disciple Joseph of Arimathea [1770?]

The History of that Holy Disciple Joseph of Arimathea. Wherein is contained, The true Account of his
Birth, his Parents, his Country, his Education, his Piety; and how he begged of PONTIUS PILATE the Body
of Our Blessed Saviour, after his Crucifixion, which he buried in a new Sepulchre of his own.

Also the Occasion of his Coming to ENGLAND, Where he first preached the Gospel at Glastenbury in
Somersetshire; and where is still growing that noted White-Thorn, which buds every Christmas-Day in
the Morning, blossoms at Noon, and fades at Nights, on the Place where he pitched his Staff in the
Ground.

With a full Relation of his Death and Burial.

Printed and Sold in Bow Church-Yard. London.

THE person we are going to speak of, named Joseph, was a just, holy, pious, and devout man, born at
Arimathea, otherwise called Rameth, and afterwards Ramula. It was a city formerly allotted for the
Levites, and situated near Sophim on mount Ephraim, near the confines of the tribes of Benjamin and
Dan; and is also noted for being the birth place of Samuel the prophet, who here lived and died, and was
buried.

Here Joseph was born, and from hence was called Joseph of Arimathea; he was the son of one
Matthias, who was considerable for his extraction, but more for his justice and authority in Jerusalem,
which was the metropolis of that country; his bringing up, during his tender years, was with one
Jonathan, who was his brother by the same father and mother, with whom he profited in all kind of
sciences, having a good memory, and quick apprehension; so that being yet a child of fifteen years of
age, he was praised by all men, in regard of the good affection he had to learning, that the priests and
noblest citizens vouchsafed to all his opinion of things that concerned their laws and ordinances.

He was born about eight years before the nativity of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and
about the age of seventeen years, his desire being to search and have an insight, into the laws and
customs of the three sects of the Jewish nation, the Pharisees, which is the chiefest, the second the
Saducees, and the third the Esseans; to the end he might chuse the better of the three, when he
understood them all. He declined the two latter, and adhered to the former, addicting himself to such
great austerities and labours, that hearing of one Malachi an holy man, who lived in a desart, cloathed
himself with nothing but what the trees brought forth, fed on no other kind of meat but what they
freely yielded, and washed himself oftentimes by day and night in cold water; to keep himself chaste, he
went and lived with him, and imitated his course of life, for the space of four years, at which time he
returned to Jerusalem again, at the age of one and twenty years.

But now, though Joseph of Arimathea had intirely devoted himself to the sect of the Pharisees, yet
was he not addicted to the vices which too evidently appeared among them, especially hypocrisy; for he
was really just in all his dealings, pious without ostentation, and very charitable in private: insomuch
that he obtained the praise of the rich, and the benediction of the poor, where-ever he went, and
gloried more to be a good man than a great senator, to which dignity his incomparable merits had justly
preferred him.

However, when Jesus Christ began to take upon him the great work of the ministry of the Gospel,
and by his holy life, pure doctrine, and supernatural miracles, had procured many Jews to embrace what
he taught them, among the rest of his followers this Joseph of Arimathea became a great admirer of our
Saviour's preaching, insomuch that declining the Levitical laws, as then taught in the Jewish church, he
became a sincere convert, and followed Christ in all the journeys which he took throughout the land of
Judea and Galilee, for the promulgation of the Gospel.

But when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, who sold the precious blood of our lord and master, for the
value of thirty pence, after the condemnation was passed upon him by Pontius Pilate, the Roman
president of Syria, and he was crucified on the cross, for the sins of the whole world.--As soon as he was
dead, this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a rich man, went, as the evangelist St. Matthew tells us, chap.
xvii, 58, 60, to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered;
and when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in the rock, and he
rolled a great Stone to the door of the sepulchre and departed.

Now, as for the manner of the sepulchre wherein our Saviour was laid, take the description thereof,
as given by Adricomius, in his relation of the Holy Land, and which is as follows: The glorious sepulchre
of our Lord, says he, was a new monument, situated about one hundred and eight feet from mount
Calvary, and distant one thousand paces from mount Sion. Here it was that Joseph of Arimathea, a noble
senator, cut out of a rock that was in his garden, a place of interment, in which he, together with
Nicodemus, the blessed Mary, and other women, buried form the cross by consent of Pilate, the body of
Jesus, which they had wrapped up in fine linen, perfumed with myrrh and aloes; his head was placed
towards the West, from whence it has been the custom ever since, among the Christians, to bury the
dead, in many of their church-yards, with the feet towards the East; and those attending his sacred
funeral, having rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, they returned to their several
habitations.

In the mean time, the priests, scribes, and pharisees, endeavouring to hinder the resurrexion of
Christ, they set a guard of soldiers to watch the sepulchre, the mouth whereof they closely shut up, and
set their seals on the door, that they might not be deceived thro' any frauds, either of his disciples or
their own keepers; but this diligence of the Jews, who would have obstructed his rising, did rather
increase the miracle, and confirm the faith of our Saviour's resurrection; for, on the third day after his
crucifixion, receiving life again, he came to Mary Magdalen, first in the likeness of a gardiner, according
to these words of the evangelist, Jesus saith unto her, woman, why weepest thou? she, supposing him
to be the gardiner, saith unto him, If thou hast borne him hence, tell me: here thou hast laid him, and I
will take him away. John xx. 15.

After the death of our Saviour, Joseph of Arimathea led a solitary life, about six months, in
commemoration of our Saviour's crucifixion for his salvation, as well as the whole race of mankind; but
this time of penitence being compleated, he came again among the apostles, and by St. Peter was
adopted one of the seventy-two disciples.--So to make good that great charge which he had took upon
him, understanding from Felix, who then governed Jerusalem, that certain noble Christians, men of
much honour, and more virtue, were, for preaching the Christian faith, sent to Rome by his
commandment, to answer what was objected against them in Cæsar's presence; being desirous of the
service, and having special intelligence, that * the torments wherewith they were martyr'd, lessened not
their piety, but that they lived contentedly on figs and nuts. He, for this cause, departed presently for
Rome, and was encountered with many and grievous hazards by sea; for the ship wherein he sailed was
wreck'd in the midst of the Adriatick sea, and about six hundred of them were forced to swim all night
long, and at day-break, by God's providence, a Cyrenian ship came in sight, and he, and about fourscore
others, who outswam the rest, were taken up, and saved.

After he had in this sort escaped, he went to Diarchia, which the Italians call at this day Puteoli, and
grew acquainted with Baliturnus, a Jew born, who was a comedian, and in good reputation with
Tiberius; by whose means, insinuating himself into the empress Poppeia's knowledge, he determined to
beseech her to procure the liberty of those Christians in bondage; and being gratified likewise by her
with many gifts, he returned again into his own country.

Being now returned home, and having given a full account to the twelve apostles, of what special
service he had done for the vindication of the Christian liberty at Rome, he was appointed and ordained
to go and preach the Gospel in England; and according as the mission commanded him, he took shipping
at Joppa, and sailing with a great deal of difficulty, and meeting many dangerous storms, through the
Mediterranean sea, he at length landed at Barrow-bay in Somersetshire, and then proceeding onwards
of his journey eleven miles that day; came to Glastenbury in the same county; where, fixing his pilgrim's
staff in the ground, it was no sooner set in the earth, but just like Aaron's rod (which blossomed flowers
when there was a contest betwixt him and other learned Jews for the priesthood) it was presently
turned into a blossoming thorn, which supernatural miracle made the numerous spectators, who came
to see this wonder, be very attentive to hear his preaching the Gospel, which was concerning Christ
crucified for the redemption of mankind.

He arrived at Glastenbury about three years after the death of our blessed Redeemer, being then in
the forty-fourth year of his age, doing there such wonderful miracles, that he presently brought to the
conversion of Christ above one thousand souls. Besides, as Eusebius, Sozomenes, and Ruffinus, three
most faithful ecclesiastical writers, relate, he baptized at the city of Wells, which is within four miles of
Glastenbury, eighteen thousand persons one day; so devout, zealous, and holy, was the life of Joseph of
Arimathea, that although he found the inhabitants of this island very barbarous and superstitious, yet,
by wholesome admonitions, in learnedly as well as strenuously exhorting them to change their
erroneous opinions, representing before their eyes, the heinousness of their damnable folly and
blindness, he piously persuaded them not to hazard the salvation of their souls, and their posterity, by
embracing downright idolatry, in worshipping the sun, moon, and stars, as well as living creatures, both
on the earth, as well as in the sea.

Thus Joseph of Arimathea, by his godly life and good behaviour, having obtained the good-will of
one Ethelbertus, a king then reigning in the western parts of England, and many other nobles, whom he
converted to the Christian faith, he founded a most famous abbey at Glastonbury; which was the first
Christian church in the world, and by the large endowments settled upon it afterwards by the Christian
princes, it became one of the richest monasteries in Christendom.

In the antient town of Glastenbury the holy Joseph of Arimathea continued till the day of his death,
being forty-two years, so that he was eighty-six at his death; and so venerable was his person then held,
that six kings of those parts honoured his corpse by carrying him on royal shoulders to the grave; which
was made in the chancel of Glastonbury-abbey, and had a most stately tomb erected over him, with the
following inscription: HERE LIES THE BODY OF THAT MOST NOBLE DISCIPLE, RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE BY
THE NAME OF JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, AND NOTED BY THE FOUR EVANGELISTS, ST. MATTHEW, MARK,
LUKE, AND JOHN, FOR HIS BEGGING THE BODY OF OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR WHEN CRUCIFIED TO REDEEM
LOST MEN FROM ETERNAL DESTRUCTION, AND BURYING IT IN A TOMB OF HIS OWN MAKING. HE DIED
A.D. 45, AGED 86.

The church-yard of Glastonbury, formerly called Avolonia, is also noted for the burial-place of king
Arthur, whose sepulchre was searched for by King Henry II. and found under a stone, with an inscription
on it, declaring whose ashes it covered.

And in veneration for Joseph of Arimathea, a lady living at Glastonbury, a little after the death of this
holy man, obtained of her husband as much pasture-ground for the good of the inhabitants, as she was
able to walk about barefoot in a whole day.

But what is more remarkable is the White-Thorn, otherwise called the Holy-Thorn, which to this very
time is noted thro' all Europe, for its budding on Christmas-day in the morning, blossoms at noon, and
fades at night; and the reason is as abovesaid; for that it was the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, which he
fixing in the grouad, it instantly took root where this famous thorn grows, and thereby proclaimed that
spot a resting place for its master. And though the time of superstitious popery is in this kingdom
abolished, yet do thousands of people, of different opinions, go annually to see this curiosity, which
appearing supernatural, and contrary to the course of nature, makes us cry out with Psalmist, O Lord!
how marvellous are thy ways!

FINIS.

* The original reads thst.

Additional Information:

The History of that Holy Disciple Joseph of Arimathea: A Brief Note

by: Antonio L. Furtado - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Before narrating Joseph's alleged apostolic mission to Glastonbury, The History of that Holy
Disciple Joseph of Arimathea, written (circa 1770) by an anonymous author, offers information about his
birth from a respected family, his intellectual talents, his first religious inclinations, and—after the
crucifixion episode—about a successful expedition to Rome. It so happens that these new
"contributions" can be examined in parallel with the beginning paragraphs of the autobiographical The
Life of Flavius Josephus. The text to be used here is part of William Whiston's classic English translation,
The Works of Josephus, originally published in 1736, and reedited by Hendrickson Publishers (new
updated edition, tenth printing, 1995). A slightly different digital version can be found at:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2846/2846-h/2846-h.htm.

In this connection, it is opportune to mention that, some years ago, I suggested that the Joseph
of Arimathea of Arthurian tradition might have originated from a conflation of the biblical Joseph
(Joseph ab Arimathia) with Flavius Josephus (born Joseph bar Matthias); for the details see: http://www-
di.inf.puc-rio.br/~furtado/Joseph%20of%20Arimathia.pdf

I selected some fragments from the document and from the updated Whiston translation,
reproduced below with prefix (A) for the anonymous author, and (J) for Josephus:

(A) he was the son of one Matthias, who was considerable for his extraction, but more for his justice and
authority in Jerusalem, which was the metropolis of that country

(J) my father Matthias was not only eminent on account of his nobility, but had a higher commendation
on account of his righteousness; and was in great reputation in Jerusalem, the greatest city we have

(A) his bringing up, during his tender years, was with one Jonathan, who was his brother by the same
father and mother, with whom he profited in all kind of sciences, having a good memory, and quick
apprehension
(J) I was myself brought up with my brother, whose name was Matthias, for he was my own brother, by
both father and mother; and I made mighty proficiency in the improvements of my learning, and
appeared to have both a great memory and understanding

(A) being yet a child of fifteen years of age, he was praised by all men, in regard of the good affection he
had to learning, that the priests and noblest citizens vouchsafed to all his opinion of things that
concerned their laws and ordinances

(J) when I was a child, and about fourteen years of age, I was commended by all for the love I had to
learning; on which account the high priests and principal men of the city came then frequently to me
together, in order to know my opinion about the accurate understanding of points of the law

(A) about the age of seventeen years, his desire being to search and have an insight, into the laws and
customs of the three sects of the Jewish nation, the Pharisees, which is the chiefest, the second the
Saducees, and the third the Esseans; to the end he might chuse the better of the three, when he
understood them all

(J) when I was about sixteen years old, I had a mind to make trial of the several sects that were among
us. These sects are three :– The first is that of the Pharisees, the second that of the Sadducees, and the
third that of the Essenes, as we have frequently told you; for I thought that by this means I might choose
the best, if I were once acquainted with them all

(A) hearing of one Malachi an holy man, who lived in a desart, cloathed himself with nothing but what
the trees brought forth, fed on no other kind of meat but what they freely yielded, and washed himself
oftentimes by day and night in cold water; to keep himself chaste

(J) I was informed that one, whose name was Banus, lived in the desert, and used no other clothing than
grew upon trees, and had no other food than what grew of its own accord, and bathed himself in cold
water frequently, both by night and by day, in order to preserve his chastity

(A) he went and lived with him, and imitated his course of life, for the space of four years, at which time
he returned to Jerusalem again, at the age of one and twenty years

(J) I imitated him in those things, and continued with him three years. So when I had accomplished my
desires, I returned back to the city, being now nineteen years old
(A) understanding from Felix, who then governed Jerusalem, that certain noble Christians, men of much
honour, and more virtue, were, for preaching the Christian faith, sent to Rome by his commandment, to
answer what was objected against them in Cæsar's presence

(J) At the time when Felix was procurator of Judea, there were certain priests of my acquaintance, and
very excellent persons they were, whom on a small and trifling occasion he had put into bonds, and sent
to Rome to plead their cause before Caesar

(A) having special intelligence, that the torments wherewith they were martyr'd, lessened not their
piety, but that they lived contentedly on figs and nuts

(J) I was informed that they were not unmindful of piety towards God, even under their afflictions; but
supported themselves with figs and nuts

(A) He, for this cause, departed presently for Rome, and was encountered with many and grievous
hazards by sea; for the ship wherein he sailed was wreck'd in the midst of the Adriatick sea, and about
six hundred of them were forced to swim all night long, and at day-break, by God's providence, a
Cyrenian ship came in sight, and he, and about fourscore others, who outswam the rest, were taken up,
and saved

(J) Accordingly I came to Rome, though it were through a great number of hazards, by sea; for as our
ship was drowned in the Adriatic Sea, we that were in it, being about six hundred in number, swam for
our lives all the night; when, upon the first appearance of the day, and upon our sight of a ship of
Cyrene, I and some others, eighty in all, by God's providence, prevented the rest, and were taken up into
the other ship

(A) After he had in this sort escaped, he went to Diarchia, which the Italians call at this day Puteoli, and
grew acquainted with Baliturnus, a Jew born, who was a comedian, and in good reputation with
Tiberius; by whose means, insinuating himself into the empress Poppeia's knowledge, he determined to
beseech her to procure the liberty of those Christians in bondage

(J) when I had thus escaped, and was come to Dicearchia, which the Italians call Puteoli, I became
acquainted with Aliturius, an actor of plays, and much beloved by Nero, but a Jew by birth; and through
his interest became known to Poppea, Caesar's wife, and took care, as soon as possible, to entreat her
to procure that the priests might be set at liberty

(A) being gratified likewise by her with many gifts, he returned again into his own country
(J) when, besides this favor, I had obtained many presents from Poppea, I returned home again

There are small differences, concerning the age of the characters at specific periods, their
names, etc. The brother of Josephus was called "Matthias", like their father, whilst "Jonathan", the
name of Joseph of Arimathea's brother in the anonymous document, figures in the autobiography as an
ancestor of Josephus. On the other hand, the two texts concur in reporting the devotion of their
respective Josephs to the sect of the Pharisees, though the document – this time with no
correspondence in the autobiography – hastens to explain that its Joseph never became "addicted to
the vices which too evidently appeared among them".

But of all differences the most important – and revealing – is that which is stressed in boldface
type. Presenting Poppea as the wife of Tiberius is a gross historic error. It appears that the unknown
author, seeing the name "Nero" in the autobiography of Josephus, deliberately replaced it by "Tiberius",
in a clumsy attempt to displace the action to the start of Christianity.

All in all, the inevitable conclusion is that the eighteenth century document transposes
passages from The Life of Flavius Josephus, in nearly verbatim form, to the story of Joseph of Arimathea
prior to his legendary visit to England.

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