The Mishmar Ha’Emek Tomb and the Tomb of Jesus
The tomb of Jesus, described in all four Gospels, was a new rock-hewn burial chamber sealed with a large stone. However, the shape and size of this stone have long intrigued scholars and believers alike. The Greek term “lithos megas” or “great stone,” (Mat. 27:60; cf. Mark 16:4) suggests a sizeable object that could be rolled to cover the tomb’s entrance.
Two types of Tomb Stones
Archaeology reveals two main types of first-century tomb closures: square blocking stones that were pushed into place (i.e. the Emmaus tomb), and round rolling stones that moved along a carved groove. While round stones provide a vivid image matching the Gospel scene, they were rare and typically reserved for wealthy individuals.
Examples of such tombs can be found in the “Tomb of the Kings” near Damascus Gate and “Herod’s Family Tomb” near the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. They were also documented in a tomb in Khirbet Midras and in Tel Heshbon, in today’s Jordan.
Such a round tomb stone was also found 4 miles North East of Tel Megiddo in the 1950s, Opposite Kibbutz Mishmar Ha’emek. It was excavated in 1958 by J. Naveh, but was never published. The Tomb had one chamber and eight burial niches (“Kokhim” in Hebrew). It can be easily reached and seen from road 6953.
The Mishmar Ha’emek First Century Tomb on “Street View” of Google Maps
First-Century Tombs with Rolling Stones and the Tomb of Jesus
Jewish burials in the first century were typically family tombs hewn into rock, most of which were sealed with a square blocking stone. Round rolling stones, set in carved grooves, were uncommon and appear to have been used only in tombs belonging to the wealthy. Therefore, if the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea truly had such a circular stone, it would signify a burial place of high status, consistent with the Gospel’s description of a rich man’s newly cut tomb.
Unfortunately, the site traditionally identified as the tomb of Jesus within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has undergone extensive alteration over the years, and neither its original entrance nor its sealing stone can be identified today.
Bibliography
Kloner A. 1999. Did a Rolling Stone Close Jesus’ tomb? BAR 25/5:22-25
Magness J. 2007. the Burial of Jesus in lght of Archaeology and the Gospel. Eretz-Israel 27:1*-7*
