Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:46

"And he bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of a rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb." — Mark 15:46 (ASV)

Mark does not mention anyone assisting Joseph in the actions described here. He must, however, have had help in removing the body from the cross, preparing it for burial, and carrying it to the place of burial in such a short time. Since he was rich (cf. Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:51), he doubtless had servants to help him. Moreover, John says that Nicodemus helped Joseph and supplied some of the spices used in the preparation of the body for burial . After being properly prepared for burial (cf. Jn 19:40), it was placed in a new tomb, cut out of rock (cf. Matthew 27:60).

The location of the tomb was in a garden very near the site of the Crucifixion , an area that has proven to be a cemetery during the first century A. D. Tombs cut out of the rock were closed by rolling a stone against the entrance.