[b1953]

Can anyone tell me who the eight men are that take Jesus down from the cross after His death?

I have a beautiful painting of 8 men taking Jesus down but can not find the answer to who there were. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[manimuth]

There were faithful women who were present at His death but for men, the scripture only notes three men who came to Christ after His death, or was present at crucifixion:
1) John of Arimathea (a "hidden" disciple because he feared the Jews) asked Pilate for His body so that he may bury Him.
2) Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee who believed Jesus was from God but was afraid of his peers (He is seen, first, coming to talk to Jesus in the cover of the night: John 3:1-21) bought myrrh and money to help prepare Jesus' body for burial.
3) An unnamed disciple (John 19:26), called the "beloved disciple" is the only disciple who was present at the crucifixion, besides the women. Many believe that this "beloved disciple" was the author of the Gospel of St. John, John the Apostle himself, because in John 21, the "beloved disciple" is explicitly identified as the author of the book. But there are disagreements on this since there are reasons to believe this last chapter was a later addition to the book.

So, the rest of the men shown in the painting may be helpers of John of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Hope this was helpful.

[b1953]

But were not Simone and the Roman Soldiers present when Jesus was taken down from the cross? What about the Solider that pierced Jesus' side and blood and water spewed upon him and the Soldiers who stated they realized they had crucified the Savior?
I am truly confused.
Thank you for your help and God Bless you.
b1953

There were faithful women who were present at His death but for men, the scripture only notes three men who came to Christ after His death, or was present at crucifixion:
1) John of Arimathea (a "hidden" disciple because he feared the Jews) asked Pilate for His body so that he may bury Him.
2) Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee who believed Jesus was from God but was afraid of his peers (He is seen, first, coming to talk to Jesus in the cover of the night: John 3:1-21) bought myrrh and money to help prepare Jesus' body for burial.
3) An unnamed disciple (John 19:26), called the "beloved disciple" is the only disciple who was present at the crucifixion, besides the women. Many believe that this "beloved disciple" was the author of the Gospel of St. John, John the Apostle himself, because in John 21, the "beloved disciple" is explicitly identified as the author of the book. But there are disagreements on this since there are reasons to believe this last chapter was a later addition to the book.

So, the rest of the men shown in the painting may be helpers of John of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Hope this was helpful.

[manimuth]

Hey, you know, the painter may have included these soldiers as well. Are any of them wearing uniforms of Roman soldiers? I can only tell you what I can quote from the scriptures but since the painting is from the painter's own inspiration and interpretation, he/she could include others.

About Simon: Do you mean Simon of Cyrene? He helped Christ carry the cross on the way to crucifixion. I am not completely sure he was present at the crucifixion or that he helped with His body because I can't find anything in the scriptures. There is also a disagreement with WHY he carried the cross. Some think because he sympathized with Christ and some think that he was forced to, by the Roman soldiers.

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross." (Mark 15:21)

"And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross." (Matthew 27:32)

Interestingly, John does not mention Simon at all in his book!