Mark 15:44

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead : and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead .

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 now when the even was come , because it was the preparation, that is , the day before the sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came , and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead : and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead .

45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down , and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.