Pilate wondered if Jesus was dead (Mk 15:44-15:44)

“Then Pilate wondered

If Jesus was

Already dead.

He summoned

The centurion.

He asked him

Whether Jesus

Had been dead

For some time.”

 

ὁ δὲ Πειλᾶτος ἐθαύμασεν εἰ ἤδη τέθνηκεν, καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν κεντυρίωνα ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανεν·

 

There is nothing like this in any of the other synoptic gospels, where Pilate simply gave permission to Joseph to have the body of Jesus.  Here in Mark, Pilate wondered (ὁ δὲ Πειλᾶτος ἐθαύμασεν) if Jesus was already dead (εἰ ἤδη τέθνηκεν).  He summoned the centurion (καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν κεντυρίωνα).  He asked him whether Jesus was already dead (ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν εἰ πάλαι ἀπέθανεν).