Mark 15:44

44 Pilate was amazed that Jesus would have already died, so he called the army officer who had guarded Jesus and asked him if Jesus had already 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 This was Preparation Day. (That means the day before the Sabbath day.) That evening,

43 Joseph from Arimathea was brave enough to go to Pilate and ask for Jesus' body. Joseph, an important member of the Jewish council, was one of the people who was waiting for the kingdom of God to come.

44 Pilate was amazed that Jesus would have already died, so he called the army officer who had guarded Jesus and asked him if Jesus had already died.

45 The officer told Pilate that he was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.

46 Joseph bought some linen cloth, took the body down from the cross, and wrapped it in the linen. He put the body in a tomb that was cut out of a wall of rock. Then he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb.