Mark 15:44

44 And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and having called to [him] the centurion, he inquired of him if he had long died.

Mark 15:44 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 15:44

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead
For death, by crucifixion, was a slow lingering death; persons that were in their full strength hung a great while before they expired; and the two thieves, which were crucified with Christ, were not dead when he was:

and calling unto him the centurion;
who was set to watch him:

he asked him, whether he had been any while dead;
he inquired of him, whether he was dead, and how long he had been dead.

Mark 15:44 In-Context

42 And when it was already evening, since it was [the] preparation, that is, [the day] before a sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable councillor, who also himself was awaiting the kingdom of God, coming, emboldened himself and went in to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and having called to [him] the centurion, he inquired of him if he had long died.

45 And when he knew from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

46 And having bought fine linen, [and] having taken him down, he swathed him in the fine linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was cut out of rock, and rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.