Mark 15:44 — Community Reflections

MARK 15:44 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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 surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died — the surprise at the quick death is consistent with Roman practice: crucifixion victims typically survived for days. The centurion's confirmation is the official report that establishes the death's reality — a Roman official confirms that Jesus died.

Church Fathers on Mark 15:44

After the Passion and Death of Christ, the Evangelist relates His burial, saying, 'And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea.'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation

What is called 'parasceue' in Greek, is in Latin 'praeparatio'; by which name those Jews, who lived amongst Greeks, used to call the sixth day of the week, because on that day they used to prepare what was necessary for the rest of the sabbath day. Because then man was made on the sixth day, but on the seventh the Creator rested from all His work, fitly was our Saviour crucified on the sixth day, and thus fulfilled the mystery of man’s restoration.
Bede · 8th century

It it interpreted, 'taking down,' of which was Joseph, who came to take down the body of Christ from the cross.
Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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