Most people know him as the man who, according to the Gospels, donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus after Jesus was crucified. Joseph of Arimathea is venerated as a saint by the Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox and some Anglican churches. But, let’s look, as Paul Harvey says, “at the rest of the story”. Let’s talk “Uncle Joe”.
Joseph (from Arimathea) was the younger brother of Mary’s father.
He was also one of the wealthest men IN THE WORLD which is why he could get an immediate appointment with Pilate and ask for the rights to the body of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-60). Money talks baby! It’s also said that Uncle Joe was a member of the Sanhedrin and a close counselor to Jesus.
Joseph is also referenced in many of the apocryphal and non-canonical accounts such as the Acts of Pilate, given the medieval title Gospel of Nicodemus and The Narrative of Joseph, and early church historians such as Irenaeus (125 – 189), Hippolytus (170 – 236), Tertullian (155 – 222), and Eusebius (260 – 340) added details not in the canonical accounts. It’s also reported that Joseph was likely one of the Seventy Apostles appointed in Luke 10.
Where was Jesus for 28+ years (from 2-30)?
Many legends have him in the East in India and Tibet. Others have Him in England with Uncle Joe and mother Mary. Maybe he was in both. Maybe He was in neither. But, let’s look at some historical interests.
Apocryphal legend supplies us with a story claiming that Joseph accompanied the Apostle Philip, Lazarus, Mary Magdalene (there’s that woman again- stories will get started you know) & others on a preaching mission to Gaul. Lazarus & Mary stayed in Marseilles, while the others travelled north.
At the English Channel, St. Philip sent Joseph, with twelve disciples, to establish Christianity in the most far-flung corner of the Roman Empire: the Island of Britain. Many historians say that this happened just three years after the death of Jesus, the Christ. It was said that Joseph achieved his wealth in the metals trade, and in the course of conducting his business, he probably became acquainted with Britain, at least the south-western parts of it.
The connection between Glastonbury and Jerusalem as centers of religious can’t be overlooked.
The Druids (as early as 1800BCE) held “beliefs” that looked almost the same a Judaic beliefs. Both groups were looking for a savior, a Messiah. The Druids called their savior (before Jesus now) Yesu. In fact, one of the biggest arguments at the Council of Nicea was the NAME that Constantine wanted to call Jesus. The Druids also had a mystery school steeped in Kaballah teachings. Gnosticism lived on in spite of Constantine!
It’s said that Uncle Joe lived about 50 years after the death of Jesus and his contributions to Jesus were called the “Golden Age Of Christianity”. Mary is said to have ben buried in Glastonbury in an old church school. Joseph’s tomb stone reads “I came to Briton after I buried Christ. I taught. I rest.” The apostle John was the last to die and he too was buried in Glastonbury at the ripe old age of 101.
Last but not least, most historians give credit to Uncle Joe for establishing the first “Christian church” in Britain (not Jerusalem). Give credit to the Vatican for officially recognizing Glastonbury, England as the first church- three years after the death of Jesus. God is still revealing things to those who don’t know it all.
And that’s SOME of “the rest of the story“.
Well written article.