Mark 15:44-47 44But Pilate was amazed that he had already died, and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46And after buying a linen shroud and taking him down, he wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock, and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
Those crucified could live for several days on the cross, depending on the extent of the injuries. Pilate was surprised that Jesus did not last very long on the cross. Jesus experienced such severe beatings that his body was already greatly weakened by the time he got to the cross. The flogging he received earlier was enough to kill a person. He was likely badly bleeding with blood loss from his injuries. The crucifixion was almost a formality to the certain death encroaching upon Jesus. With his injuries and the position the Romans nailed him on the cross, he would have had a difficult time breathing.
Pilate called the centurion, likely the same one who gave the short statement in verse 39, to confirm that Jesus had died. Some people claim that this account does not confirm that Jesus was dead. He could have only been in a comma and then somehow revived in the tomb. In all of history, no one ever survived a Roman crucifixion. The centurion confirmed that Jesus was truly dead. The centurion’s life depended on the accuracy of his description. Jesus’ body is described with the word corpse (ptōma), which is used specifically for dead bodies. Everything in these verses confirm the truth that Jesus was truly dead.
Joseph was prepared to care for Jesus’ body. It is possible that Joseph was well along in years and had prepared for his own burial by hewing out a tomb. Time was of the essence in this situation, so he had to buy a burial linen. It was typical to clean and anoint a body with spices for burial. Mark does not record this practice, but John 19:40-42 gives more details. It took great effort to transport Jesus’ body to the tomb, and so Nicodemus helped Joseph with this. The traditional Jewish practice of burial was to lay a body in a hewn tomb until it decomposed and only the bones were left. The bones would be gathered and buried in ossuaries or boxes. To keep animals and unwanted people out of a tomb, a large stone would be rolled in front of it, as did Joseph in this case. Everything in this story was typical and traditional. Joseph took great effort and expense to give Jesus an honorable burial.
For older posts, click here.