The next day was Sabbath Day and the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, so the Jews wanted the criminals on the cross to die before the sunset.

Jesus had died already

Jesus died as the Passover Lamb of God to save people from the bondage of sin, just as the blood of  Passover lambs delivered the people of Israel out of the slave-bondage of Egypt at Moses’ time. The bones of Passover’s lambs should not be broken according God’s command. (Exodus 12:46)

Jesus had the authority to lay down His life at any time.  Jesus had accomplished His Father’s will, and there would be no meaning to live any longer.

I would like to live my life until I have finished the tasks God has given to me.

Left side of Jesus was pierced where the heart is located.

Water flowed out from the space between the heart and the membrane surrounding the heart as the spear pierced through the membrane.  Blood came out from the pierced heart.

He emphasizes on the observation in order to prove to people that Jesus was not only 100% God, but also 100% human being.

Water symbolizes for Water Baptism with the repentance of sin. Blood symbolizes for the forgiveness of sin.

I expect that the disciples, Lazarus who was raised from death, and people who had experienced Jesus’ miracle would have attended Jesus’ funeral.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were reserved for Jesus’ funeral arrangement.

Jesus’ mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, Disciple John, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, altogether 7 people, did attend Jesus’ funeral.

(1) Matthew 27:56-58: Joseph of Arimathea is a rich person.
(2) Luke 23:50: Social status-wise, Joseph of Arimathes is one of the religious leaders. Character-wise, Joseph is a good and upright person.  He did not join the conspiracy of religious leaders to kill Jesus, instead he offered his own new tomb for laying Jesus body inside.
(3) John 19:37-39: He hid his identity as a Christian from others.
(4) Mark 15:43: He went boldly to Pilate and asked (demanded) for Jesus’ body.

Both. He was envied by people for his riches and high social status. He was also respected by people for his character and good deeds.

The funeral of Jesus was similar to that of a noble person or a king conducted by two respected religious persons who were in high social positions. Jesus’ body was laid in a new tomb, wrapped in strips of new linen with a lot of spices. 

He probably prepared for his own future death and also the death of his descendants hereafter.

It was God’s arrangement

(1) Luke 1:34--He was conceived in the womb of a virgin who had never had physical relation with a man.
(2) Luke 19:29-30--He entered into Jerusalem as the King riding on a colt which no one else had ever had ridden.
(3) John 12:3,7--He was anointed with an expensive perfume from a new perfume bottle.

If the public knew that he was a follower of Jesus, it would have cost him too much. He would have been expelled from his religious and social positions and would also been persecuted.

When he saw the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross, his faith became bold enough to face any risk of his own personal sacrifice.

If Pilate suspected that Joseph was sympathetic with crucified criminal, Pilate might have put Joseph through a similar Execution. Joseph would have also taken a chance of being persecuted by religious leaders.

In His early public ministry, Jesus predicted to Nicodemus about his death on the cross with an explanation of its meaning from the Old Testament.

People who had experienced His miracles avoided Jesus when they faced an endangerment to their lives. Secret believers like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus became bold in faith when they saw Jesus died on the cross.  People want to see or experience God’s miracle in order to have faith in Jesus. But a real faith comes from the meditation of God’s love manifested through Jesus on the cross.  Jesus have loved me so much that He had died for me in order to give me an eternal life.

I would like to have a reputation respected by people.  A person’s worldly success will disappear with the person’s death.  Reputation lasts longer.

You can earn respect from other by having Godly character. We make every effort to gain a worldly success everyday, but making an effort everyday to build a godly character is more important and valuable.