Still, a number even of the authorities believed in him, though they would not confess it on account of the Pharisees, in case of being excommunicated;
(His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed him to be Christ should be excommunicated.
After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus but a secret disciple — for fear of the Jews — asked Pilate for permission to remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate allowed him. So he went and removed the body,
he came one night to Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we know you have come from God to teach us, for no one could perform these Signs of yours unless God were with him."