Mark 15:44
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
Pilate was astonished that Jesus had died so quickly on the cross. Since crucified men commonly lingered for days, he called the centurion who had overseen the execution to learn whether Jesus had been dead any while and how long. The officer's testimony assured him that the death was real and already established, confirming Joseph's word about it. Only then did he formally release the body to Joseph, permitting its removal from the cross for an honored burial in Joseph's new tomb instead of a criminals' grave at soldiers' hands. Joseph and Nicodemus thus openly used their wealth and standing to receive and prepare a lifeless, pulseless body for burial.
Pilate Verifies Jesus' Death
Pilate marveled that Jesus was already dead so soon after the crucifixion. His surprise reflected the usual pattern, since those crucified often lingered for days before dying.
To gain certainty before releasing the body for burial, he summoned the centurion in charge of the crucifixion. That officer had been at the cross and commanded the soldiers there. Pilate asked him whether Jesus had been dead any while and how long he had been dead.
The centurion's report confirmed that Jesus was truly dead. His testimony assured Pilate, corroborated Joseph's testimony, and established the fact of the death. The centurion also gave an account of what had happened at Calvary. That account included that Jesus died just after the mysterious darkness ended.
Release for Honorable Burial
Only after the centurion's confirmation did Pilate grant Joseph of Arimathea's request for the body. Having learned that Jesus was truly dead, he officially released the body to Joseph and authorized its removal from the cross for burial. The order made it lawful for Joseph to take the body away.
That release allowed Jesus to be taken down and laid in state in Joseph's new tomb. Instead of being left to be handled by soldiers, He was given an honorable burial through Joseph's intervention. Without this grant He would have been buried in the dishonored burial place reserved for executed criminals, but the grant secured Him an honorable burial rather than burial in the criminals' place.
After His death Joseph and Nicodemus openly showed their attachment to Him, seeking His body and using their wealth and influence to provide this burial. The body they took down and prepared for burial was lifeless and pulseless.