John 19:38 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And after this Joseph of Arimathea,— We have observed on ch. John 18:31 that Joseph of Arimathea seems to have been personally acquainted with Pilate, as he went to him, and begged leave to bury the body of Jesus. We can have no doubt of their being acquainted, if Joseph was one of the council who assisted Pilate in managing the affairs of his province, and particularly in judgingcauses. All governors of provinces had a council of this kind; accordingly we find it mentioned Acts 25:12. It is, however, objected to Joseph's being a member of Pilate's council, that it was composed of Romans only; yet even on this supposition he might be a member of it, since he might enjoy the privilege of a citizen, as well as St. Paul. What other reason can be assigned for his being called a counsellor, Luke 23:50 and Mark 15:43? — a name not commonly given to the members of the sanhedrim, whose proper title was αρχοντος, rulers. Further, St. Luke tells, (Luke 23:51.) that Joseph did not consent to the counsel (βουλη) and deed of them: he did not agree to the advice which the governor's council gave, when they desired him to gratify the Jews. See the note on Matthew 27:57.