Mark 15:44

44 But Pilate wondered, if he were now dead [Forsooth Pilate wondered, if he had now died]. And when the centurion was called, he asked him, if he were [now] 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 when the eventide was come, for it was the eventide that is before the sabbath, [+And when even was now made, for it was the making ready, either vigil, which is before the sabbath,]

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, the noble decurion, came, and he abode the realm of God [Joseph of Arimathaea, a noble decurion, came, which also he was abiding the realm of God]; and boldly he entered [in] to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus.

44 But Pilate wondered, if he were now dead [Forsooth Pilate wondered, if he had now died]. And when the centurion was called, he asked him, if he were [now] dead;

45 and when he knew of the centurion, he granted the body of Jesus to Joseph [he gave the body of Jesus to Joseph].

46 And Joseph bought linen cloth, and took him down, and wrapped [him] in the linen cloth, and laid him in a sepulchre that was hewn of a stone [Soothly Joseph buying sendal, or linen cloth, and doing him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and put him in a new sepulchre that was hewn in a stone], and wallowed a stone to the door of the sepulchre.