Mark 15:44

44 And Pilate wondered 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 evening had come, because it was the Preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath),

43 Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable council member who also was waiting for the Kingdom of God, came and went in boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate wondered 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 learned it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

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