The Synoptics on 
Christ's Burial
Luke 23:
50  Behold, a man named Joseph, 
who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man 
51  (he had not consented to their counsel and deed),
from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews,
who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:  

Matt 27:57  When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea,
named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple came.  
58  This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. 
Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.  
59  Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  
60  and laid it in his own new tomb, 
which he had hewn out in the rock,
and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.  
61  Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.  

62  Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day,
the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,  
63  saying, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive:
‘After three days I will rise again.’  
64  Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day,
lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people,
‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first."  
65  Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can."  
66  So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.   
 

Comments

Much as we may be tempted to demonize the entire Sanhedrin, there were nonetheless probably a few God-fearing believers on the Council such as Joseph of Arimathea. In accordance with the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 53 written 700 years prior, Jesus though dying among the wicked was assigned a rich man's tomb, namely Joseph's.
"He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death." Isaiah 53:9
This may not have been a particularly large sacrifice on Joseph's part as he probably wasn't planning to use it for the next few days. Although it may not be likely that he expect the resurrection, as it appears that it would come as a surprise to other disciples. But concerning sacrifices of faith in the Christian life, though the world may view our giving as hugely sacrificial, yet by faith to us it is a small thing in comparison to what God has planned.

At this point it may be a good time to review Isaiah 53, which I've written in a poetic form accessible through the link.

In burial spices would normally be wrapped in the linen as well. But as the Sabbath was at hand, they neither had time to buy them nor time to wrap the body before the Sabbath started. (The Jewish day actually starts at 6:00 pm) Work was not allowed on the Sabbath, so the burial was rushed. The plan was to come back after the Sabbath with spices to provide a proper burial, which would again indicate that the resurrection caught them by surprise.

Lu 23:56  Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes
It seems that Christ's enemies were more prepared for the resurrection than his disciples, in a manner of speaking. It was not that they believed Jesus, but rather that they were devious in their thinking and assumed the disciples were likewise devious. The way people think of other people is often more a reflection on their own thinking than it is a description of the way the "other" people actually are. And it is human nature to demonize our enemies.

The disciples ran away when Jesus was alive. Why would they not only risk their lives when he was dead, but even knowingly deceive themselves by stealing the body and claiming he rose? They would knowlingly be believing a lie. The disciples had nothing to gain by it and everything to lose. If Lazarus' resurrection, which was accomplished only shortly before Jesus' death didn't convince the people, then why would a fake resurrection do any better. It would only lead to their deaths in a similar manner. The only thing we see the followers of Jesus doing at most is preparing spices for the body.

The thinking of these other Jewish leaders represents that thinking of cults and false religions. If they were the followers of a religious leader, they would think of ways they could deceive people and produce artificial miracles. Even in the Christian community there are such people. And even more subtly there are Christians who boast of some miracles happening to them, but it turns out to be nothing more than an exaggeration meant to deceive the gullible into "believing". God doesn't need lies to help him out. Christians should just learn to tell the truth. And that was one of the strengths of the testimony of the disciples. For it was apparent that these were not devious type of people, but simple people.

The religous leaders had their own temple guards which they had command of. Why did they not simply use them to guard the tomb? Going to Pilate meant that they were requesting a Roman guard. I think most likely is because they didn't know who they could trust to guard the tomb. After all Joseph was a believer and yet on the Council. Who is to say if the temple guards would be reliable or sympathizers with the Jesus crowd! As outsiders the Romans would be the most reliable for the task. And no one would dare resist them. The word for "guard" in Matt 27:66 means, "A Roman guard which was made up of four to sixteen soldiers. In combat, they would form a square, and were able to hold off a much larger force." It is assumed that the seal was an official Roman seal made of wax which they used to seal. Not that the rock couldn't be move, but that  illegally moving the rock would break the seal and incur a death penalty.

Perhaps God worked out the timing for Jesus to die and be buried just before the Sabbath to symbolize that the Christian, having died and been buried with Christ also enters into a Sabbath rest just as Jesus did. (Heb 4:9-11)
 

NIV & WEB  used
The Boston Christian Bible Study Resources Apr 12,2004