Mark 15 45

Mark 15:45 kjv

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

Mark 15:45 nkjv

So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Mark 15:45 niv

When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.

Mark 15:45 esv

And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.

Mark 15:45 nlt

The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.

Mark 15 verses

Mark 15 45 Meaning

Mark 15:45 states that after Pilate confirmed Jesus' death through the centurion, he granted permission for Joseph of Arimathea to have Jesus' body for burial. This verse is crucial as it emphasizes the factual verification of Jesus' death by a Roman official, through a military report, before His burial. It highlights the formal legal procedure involved in the disposition of a crucified criminal's body, underlining the certainty of Jesus' physical death, which is foundational to the truth of His resurrection.

Mark 15 45 Context

This verse is situated immediately following the death of Jesus on the cross and the centurion's declaration regarding Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Mark's narrative emphasizes the historical facticity of Jesus' death, a necessary prelude to His burial and subsequent resurrection. Chapter 15 details Jesus' trial before Pilate, His scourging and mocking, His crucifixion, His last moments, and His death. Mark 15:45 occurs at a pivotal point where the focus shifts from Jesus' passion to the disposition of His body, marking the end of the public execution and the beginning of preparation for burial. Historically and culturally, Roman law dictated that the bodies of crucified criminals usually remained on the cross or were discarded. However, Jewish law (Deut 21:22-23) strictly mandated that bodies should not remain unburied overnight, especially not on the Sabbath. Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish Council, stepped forward boldly to seek permission for burial, driven by both faith and adherence to custom. Pilate, being responsible for such decisions, needed reliable verification of death before granting the request, hence his consultation with the centurion.

Mark 15 45 Word analysis

• And when (Καὶ ἤδη): Connects this action directly to the previous events of Jesus' death and Pilate's surprise. It indicates a progression in the narrative following Pilate's immediate reaction.
• he knew (γνους, gnous): From the verb γινώσκω (ginōskō), meaning to know, to ascertain, to come to understand by experience or investigation. It's not mere intellectual assent but an informed confirmation. This highlights Pilate's diligence in verifying the death. This crucial detail affirms the certainty of Jesus' death.
• it (implicit): Refers to the fact that Jesus was indeed dead. Mark's brevity means the direct object is inferred from the preceding verse (Mk 15:44) where Pilate "marvelled if he were already dead" and questioned the centurion.
• of the centurion (ἀπὸ τοῦ κεντυρίωνος, apo tou kenturiōnos): Indicates the source of Pilate's confirmed knowledge. The centurion was the Roman military officer in charge of the execution detail and thus the most authoritative and reliable witness. His testimony was official and conclusive. This military validation serves to dispel any doubt regarding Jesus' physical death, setting the stage for the literal understanding of the resurrection.
• he gave (ἐδωρήσατο, edōrēsato): From δωρέομαι (dōreomai), meaning to bestow, to grant as a favor or gift. This implies that granting the body for burial was not an automatic right but a special concession, possibly due to Joseph's status (Mk 15:43) and Pilate's own character or the urgency of the impending Sabbath. It was Pilate's exercise of executive power.
• the body (τὸ σῶμα, to sōma): Refers specifically to the physical corpse of Jesus. The use of "the body" highlights its tangible reality and the fact that it was removed from the cross. This is essential for the later accounts of the resurrection appearances, which depend on a physically raised body.
• to Joseph (τῷ Ἰωσὴφ, tō Iōsēph): Joseph of Arimathea. This points to the recipient of Pilate's permission. His action demonstrates great courage (Mk 15:43) and faith, stepping forward publicly at a time when Jesus' followers had mostly dispersed.
• when he knew it of the centurion: This phrase underscores the reliability and official nature of the information. Pilate, as the governor, relied on an officer under his direct command to confirm the death. This was a proper administrative check.
• he gave the body to Joseph: This phrase highlights Pilate's executive decision to deviate from the usual Roman custom of leaving bodies unburied or discarded, thus facilitating Jesus' burial in accordance with Jewish law and prophetic implications (Isa 53:9).

Mark 15 45 Bonus section

The precise timing mentioned in Mark 15:42, "when the evening was come," emphasizes the Jewish custom and Mosaic law's imperative (Deut 21:22-23) to bury bodies, particularly those who had been hanged, before sundown. The request for the body and its subsequent release and burial took place within a narrow timeframe before the Sabbath began at sunset, underscoring the urgency and the remarkable coordination of divine providence through human agents. Pilate's verification also served as a layer of protection against future claims that the tomb was empty because Jesus did not truly die; the Roman state officially declared Him deceased.

Mark 15 45 Commentary

Mark 15:45 is a succinct yet powerful verse, confirming the undisputed death of Jesus before His burial. It moves from Pilate's initial surprise at the speed of Jesus' demise to his formal verification of death through the centurion, the highest authority present at the crucifixion. This official confirmation by a Roman military officer dispels any "swoon theory" or idea that Jesus merely fainted on the cross. Pilate's act of "giving" the body was a formal grant of permission, indicating a deliberate concession rather than an obligation. This gift to Joseph of Arimathea allowed for a proper burial, adhering to Jewish law that a body not remain unburied overnight, especially on the eve of a Sabbath. Joseph's courageous request and Pilate's confirmation were critical steps, ensuring the physical reality of Jesus' death and establishing the factual foundation for the glorious resurrection that would soon follow.