Tomb

<<burial chamber>>

In NT times the bodies of the dead were embalmed in tombs (often large enough to walk into) that were dug out of the limestone rock of a hillside. After burial a large stone was rolled across the entranceway (Jn 11:38-44). Christ was buried in a borrowed tomb but it was soon empty, for “He is not here, He has risen” as the angel said (Mt 27:57-60; Lk 24:1-12; Jn 19:38-20:8). The resurrection of Christ is one of the key foundations of the Christian faith.

See also: burial, death, resurrection.