Joseph of Arimathea sent into exile

Saint Joseph of Arimathea

Within a few years following the disappearance of Jesus' body from the tomb, and the claim that he had resurrected, persecution against the church broke out. Once Pontius Pilate was recalled to Rome for investigation around 36 AD, the Sanhedrin struck. Stephen was the first martyr to die in Jerusalem itself. No mercy was shown this messianic Jewish sect. The disciples (or talmidim in Hebrew) were scattered out of Jerusalem and even Judea (Acts 8.14). Such was the situation within 6 years of Jesus beginning his mission. It seemed the whole movement was over. But what happened to Joseph of Arimathea during this persecution? Tradition tells us a few stories, coming together in the Middle Ages, but dating back much further. Putting them together, we get a basic picture: due to his power and position, Joseph was not killed but rather sent into exile by the Sanhedrin with a group of others.

Cardinal Baronius, curator of the Vatican library, writes in his Ecclesiastical Annals that:

In that year (36 AD) the party mentioned was exposed to the sea in a vessal without sails or oars. The vessal drifted finally to Marseilles and they were saved. From Marseilles Joseph and his company passed into Britain and after preaching the Gospel there, died.

This is remarkable. The curator of the Vatican library is saying that Britain received the Gospel very early on - perhaps in the late 30's - way before Rome did!! This puts Britain as a prior contender for ecclesiastical primacy over against Rome. And the evidence for this comes from the Vatican archives themselves!