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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 15:44 Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/15-44.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/41_Mrk_15_44.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 15:44 - The Burial of Jesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/mark/15-44.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/mark/15-44.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/mark/">Mark</a> > <a href="/mark/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 44</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/15-43.htm" title="Mark 15:43">◄</a> Mark 15:44 <a href="/mark/15-45.htm" title="Mark 15:45">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/mark/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/mark/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if already He were dead. And having summoned the centurion, he questioned him whether He had died already.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling <i>unto him</i> the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if He had died by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He already died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time [only six hours after being crucified], and he summoned the centurion and asked him whether He was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, and he called in the army officer to find out if Jesus had been dead very long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Pilate wondered if Jesus had already died. So he summoned the officer to ask him if Jesus was, in fact, dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. He called the army officer and asked him if Jesus had been dead a long time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Pilate was amazed to hear that Jesus had already died, so he summoned the centurion to ask him if he was in fact dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead, so he summoned the centurion to ask if this was so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him if he had been dead for some time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if he was already dead: and calling the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if He were already dead, and having called near the centurion, questioned him if He were long dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if already He were dead. And having summoned the centurion, he questioned him whether He had died already.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and having called near the centurion, did question him if he were long dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered if he were already dead: and having called the centurion, he asked him if he had been dead long ago.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Pilate wondered if he had already died. And summoning a centurion, he questioned him as to whether he was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But Pilate marvelled that he was already dead. So he called the centurion and asked him if he had died before the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But Pilate was astonished that he was already dead; and having called the centurion to him, he inquired of him whether he had been any while dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And Pilate was astonished if He had died already. And having called the centurion, asked him if He was already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then Pilate marvelled that he should be already dead: and calling for the centurion, he asked him, If he had been dead any time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Pilate surpriz'd that he should be dead so soon, sent for the Centurion, and ask'd him, if he had been dead any time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And Pilate wondered, if He had already died; and, calling to him the centurion, he asked him, whether He were already dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But Pilate wondered that He was dead already, and <i>therefore</i> calling for the centurion he asked him if He had been dead any time:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/15-44.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=5568" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/15.htm">The Burial of Jesus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">43</span>Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. <span class="reftext">44</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4091.htm" title="4091: Pilatos (N-NMS) -- Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.">Pilate</a> <a href="/greek/2296.htm" title="2296: ethaumasen (V-AIA-3S) -- (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.">was surprised to hear</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2235.htm" title="2235: ēdē (Adv) -- Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now."></a> <a href="/greek/2348.htm" title="2348: tethnēken (V-RIA-3S) -- To die, be dying, be dead. A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o; to die.">Jesus was already dead,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">so</a> <a href="/greek/4341.htm" title="4341: proskalesamenos (V-APM-NMS) -- To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.">he summoned</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2760.htm" title="2760: kentyriōna (N-AMS) -- Of Latin origin; a centurion, i.e. Captain of one hundred soldiers.">centurion</a> <a href="/greek/1905.htm" title="1905: epērōtēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.">to ask</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">this was so.</a> <a href="/greek/3819.htm" title="3819: palai (Adv) -- Of old, long ago, in times past, former. Probably another form for palin; formerly, or sometime since; ancient."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">45</span>When Pilate had confirmed it with the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-57.htm">Matthew 27:57-60</a></span><br />When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. / He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. / So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-50.htm">Luke 23:50-53</a></span><br />Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, / who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea and was waiting for the kingdom of God. / He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-38.htm">John 19:38-42</a></span><br />Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body. / Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. / So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-29.htm">Acts 13:29</a></span><br />When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a></span><br />He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Psalm 22:15</a></span><br />My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-5.htm">Psalm 31:5</a></span><br />Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-31.htm">John 19:31-37</a></span><br />It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. / So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. / But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-45.htm">Matthew 27:45-46</a></span><br />From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. / About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-44.htm">Luke 23:44-46</a></span><br />It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. / The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. / Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-28.htm">John 19:28-30</a></span><br />After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” / A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. / When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-50.htm">Matthew 27:50</a></span><br />When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-47.htm">Luke 23:47</a></span><br />When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-33.htm">John 19:33-34</a></span><br />But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. / Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Matthew 27:54</a></span><br />When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/19-31.htm">John 19:31-37</a></b></br> The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and <i>that</i> they might be taken away… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/15-42.htm">Already</a> <a href="/mark/15-32.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Centurion</a> <a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Died</a> <a href="/mark/12-40.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/mark/14-11.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/mark/14-36.htm">However</a> <a href="/mark/6-38.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/mark/15-43.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/15-5.htm">Marveled</a> <a href="/mark/15-5.htm">Marvelled</a> <a href="/mark/15-43.htm">Pilate</a> <a href="/mark/15-4.htm">Question</a> <a href="/mark/15-4.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/mark/6-45.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/mark/6-7.htm">Summoning</a> <a href="/mark/10-26.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/mark/15-42.htm">Time</a> <a href="/mark/15-36.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/mark/15-5.htm">Wondered</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/16-4.htm">Already</a> <a href="/mark/16-11.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Centurion</a> <a href="/mark/15-45.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/luke/7-12.htm">Died</a> <a href="/luke/9-39.htm">Hardly</a> <a href="/luke/4-24.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/luke/1-22.htm">However</a> <a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/mark/16-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/1-21.htm">Marveled</a> <a href="/luke/1-21.htm">Marvelled</a> <a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Pilate</a> <a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Question</a> <a href="/luke/8-30.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/luke/7-28.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/luke/7-19.htm">Summoning</a> <a href="/mark/16-8.htm">Surprised</a> <a href="/mark/16-2.htm">Time</a> <a href="/luke/3-15.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/luke/1-21.htm">Wondered</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-1.htm">Jesus brought bound, and accused before Pilate.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-6.htm">Upon the clamor of the people, the murderer Barabbas is released, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-12.htm">and Jesus delivered up to be crucified.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-16.htm">He is crowned with thorns, spit on, and mocked;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-21.htm">faints in bearing his cross;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-27.htm">hangs between two thieves;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-29.htm">suffers the triumphing reproaches of the crowd;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-39.htm">but is confessed by the centurion to be the Son of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/15-42.htm">and is honorably buried by Joseph.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead</b><br>Pilate's surprise at Jesus' quick death highlights the unusual nature of the crucifixion. Typically, victims of crucifixion could linger for days before succumbing. This rapid death fulfills Jesus' own prophecy about His suffering and death (<a href="/mark/8-31.htm">Mark 8:31</a>). It also underscores the severity of the physical and spiritual agony Jesus endured, which was intensified by the prior scourging and the weight of humanity's sin. Pilate's reaction reflects a Roman governor's expectation based on experience with crucifixion, a common method of execution in the Roman Empire, designed to be a prolonged and public spectacle.<p><b>so he summoned the centurion</b><br>The centurion, a Roman officer in charge of a hundred soldiers, played a crucial role in the execution process. His presence and testimony were necessary to confirm the death of Jesus officially. This centurion is likely the same one who, upon witnessing Jesus' death, declared, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (<a href="/mark/15-39.htm">Mark 15:39</a>), indicating a recognition of Jesus' divine nature. The summoning of the centurion also emphasizes the legal and procedural aspects of Roman governance, ensuring that the death was verified by a reliable witness.<p><b>to ask if this was so</b><br>Pilate's inquiry to the centurion serves as a legal confirmation of Jesus' death, which was essential for the release of His body to Joseph of Arimathea. This verification process underscores the historical reality of Jesus' death, countering any claims that He merely swooned or was unconscious. The centurion's confirmation is a critical piece of evidence in the Gospel narrative, affirming the truth of Jesus' death and, subsequently, the miracle of His resurrection. This moment also fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's death, such as <a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a>, which speaks of His grave being with the wicked and the rich, pointing to His burial in a rich man's tomb.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pilate.htm">Pilate</a></b><br>The Roman governor of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus. He was responsible for authorizing Jesus' crucifixion.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of Christianity, whose crucifixion and resurrection are foundational to Christian faith. His death on the cross is the focal point of this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/centurion.htm">Centurion</a></b><br>A Roman officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. In this context, he was responsible for overseeing the crucifixion and confirming Jesus' death.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/crucifixion.htm">Crucifixion</a></b><br>The method of execution used by the Romans, which involved nailing or binding a person to a cross. It was a common form of capital punishment for criminals and slaves.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/death_of_jesus.htm">Death of Jesus</a></b><br>The event that marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_jesus'_death.htm">The Certainty of Jesus' Death</a></b><br>Pilate's surprise and the centurion's confirmation emphasize the reality of Jesus' death, countering any claims that He merely fainted or swooned.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Jesus' death was not an accident but a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan as foretold in the Scriptures. This underscores the reliability of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_authority.htm">The Role of Authority</a></b><br>Pilate's involvement and the centurion's role illustrate how God can use secular authorities to accomplish His divine purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_witness_of_the_centurion.htm">The Witness of the Centurion</a></b><br>The centurion's testimony serves as a powerful witness to the truth of Jesus' identity and the significance of His death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_the_cross.htm">The Impact of the Cross</a></b><br>Reflect on how the reality of Jesus' death should impact our lives, leading us to live in gratitude and obedience to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_pilate_surprised_by_jesus'_quick_death.htm">Why is Pilate surprised that Jesus died so quickly (Mark 15:44–45), when crucifixion typically lasted longer? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_jesus_dead_for_three_days.htm">Why was Jesus dead for three days?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_rise_on_the_third_day.htm">Did Jesus rise from the dead on the third day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_was_jesus_at_the_sixth_hour.htm">Where was Jesus at the sixth hour on the day of the crucifixion? On the cross (Mark 15:23) In Pilates court (John 19:14)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(44) <span class= "bld">And Pilate marvelled.</span>--The wonder of Pilate, and his calling the centurion (the article points to his being the same that had been mentioned in <a href="/mark/15-39.htm" title="And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.">Mark 15:39</a>), are peculiar to St. Mark.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 44.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Pilate marvelled if he were</span> <span class="cmt_word">already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.</span> 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 (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-13.htm">Deuteronomy 21:13</a>), 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 <span class="greek">σκελοκοπία</span>. 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 (<span class="greek">σῶμα</span>). Then Pilate asked the centurion "whether he had been any while dead." The verb here is in the aorist, and the adverb means "formerly" (<span class="greek">εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανε</span>); literally, <span class="accented">if he died some time ago.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/15-44.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Pilate</span><br /><span class="grk">Πιλᾶτος</span> <span class="translit">(Pilatos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4091.htm">Strong's 4091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pilate. Of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. Firm; Pilatus, a Roman.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was surprised [to hear]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐθαύμασεν</span> <span class="translit">(ethaumasen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2296.htm">Strong's 2296: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] was already dead,</span><br /><span class="grk">τέθνηκεν</span> <span class="translit">(tethnēken)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2348.htm">Strong's 2348: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, be dying, be dead. A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o; to die.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he summoned</span><br /><span class="grk">προσκαλεσάμενος</span> <span class="translit">(proskalesamenos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4341.htm">Strong's 4341: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸν</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">centurion</span><br /><span class="grk">κεντυρίωνα</span> <span class="translit">(kentyriōna)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2760.htm">Strong's 2760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Latin origin; a centurion, i.e. Captain of one hundred soldiers.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to ask</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπηρώτησεν</span> <span class="translit">(epērōtēsen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1905.htm">Strong's 1905: </a> </span><span class="str2">To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[this was so].</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπέθανεν</span> <span class="translit">(apethanen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/15-44.htm">Mark 15:44 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/15-44.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 15:44 Pilate marveled if he were already dead (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/15-43.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 15:43"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 15:43" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/15-45.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 15:45"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 15:45" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>