Mark 15:44
 Mark 15:44 
New International Version (©2011)
Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Pilate was amazed to hear that Jesus had already died, so he summoned the centurion to ask him if he was in fact dead.

NET Bible (©2006)
Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him if he had been dead for some time.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
But Pilate wondered if he had been dead that long, and he called the Centurion and asked him if he had died before the time.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Pilate wondered if Jesus had already died. So he summoned the officer to ask him if Jesus was, in fact, dead.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Pilate marveled that he was already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been for some time dead.

American King James Version
And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

American Standard Version
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead.

Darby Bible Translation
And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and having called to him the centurion, he inquired of him if he had long died.

English Revised Version
And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Pilate wondered if he was already dead: and calling the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Weymouth New Testament
But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead;

World English Bible
Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.

Young's Literal Translation
And Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and having called near the centurion, did question him if he were long dead,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:42-47 We are here attending the burial of our Lord Jesus. Oh that we may by grace be planted in the likeness of it! Joseph of Arimathea was one who waited for the kingdom of God. Those who hope for a share in its privileges, must own Christ's cause, when it seems to be crushed. This man God raised up for his service. There was a special providence, that Pilate should be so strict in his inquiry, that there might be no pretence to say Jesus was alive. Pilate gave Joseph leave to take down the body, and do what he pleased with it. Some of the women beheld where Jesus was laid, that they might come after the sabbath to anoint the dead body, because they had not time to do it before. Special notice was taken of Christ's sepulchre, because he was to rise again. And he will not forsake those who trust in him, and call upon him. Death, deprived of its sting, will soon end the believer's sorrows, as it ended those of the Saviour.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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. It must have Been somewhat early in the afternoon, probably not long after three o'clock, when Joseph went. The day being the Preparation, the Jews were anxious to satisfy the letter of the Law (Deuteronomy 21:13), and that, more especially, because the coming sabbath was a "high day." So they had gone early to Pilate to obtain permission to accelerate the deaths of the sufferers by the terrible additional punishment called σκελοκοπία. This violence was not inflicted upon our Lord, because he was already dead; and so another Scripture was fulfilled, "A bone of him shall not be broken." But it was necessary that Pilate should be assured of the fact that death had taken place before he gave up the body; and thus, in the providence of God, another evidence was given of the reality of Christ's death. Joseph asked for the body (σῶμα). Then Pilate asked the centurion "whether he had been any while dead." The verb here is in the aorist, and the adverb means "formerly" (εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανε); literally, if he died some time ago.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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 Parallel Commentaries

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The Burial of Jesus
42And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly to Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Mark 15:43 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.
Mark 15:45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.