Mark 15:44

44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.

Mark 15:44 in Other Translations

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.

44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.

44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.

44 Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead.

44 Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He 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 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.

45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.

46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.