Arimathea

Arimathea was a city of the Jews and the hometown of Joseph, the wealthy member of the Sanhedrin in whose newly hewn tomb the body of Jesus was laid after the crucifixion. All four Gospels name it as Joseph's place of origin. It is most probably identified with Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim, the birthplace of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1). Its New Testament significance rests entirely on Joseph's act of faith and courage in requesting the body of Jesus from Pilate and providing an honorable burial.