42 Since it was late in the afternoon on Preparation Day, just before the Sabbath,
43
Joseph from Arimathea dared to approach Pilate and ask for Jesus' body. (Joseph was a prominent council member who also eagerly anticipated the coming of God's kingdom.)
44
Pilate wondered if Jesus was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him whether Jesus had already died.
45
When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate gave the dead body to Joseph.
46
He bought a linen cloth, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been carved out of rock. He rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.