Mark - 15:44

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  1. In-Depth
  2. Discusion

44 Pilate marveled if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Mark 15:44.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead.
And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and having called to him the centurion, he inquired of him if he had long died.
And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
And Pilate wondered if he was already dead: and calling the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
And Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and having called near the centurion, did question him if he were long dead,
But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead;
And Pilate was surprised that he was dead; and, sending for the captain, he put a question to see if he had been dead for long.
But Pilate wondered if he had already died. And summoning a centurion, he questioned him as to whether he was already dead.
But Pilate was surprised to hear that he had already died. So he sent for the officer, and asked if he were already dead;

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Now it was about the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the land. till the ninth hour. 45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46. And Jesus having cried with a loud voice, said, Father into thy hands I commit my spirit. And having said this, he expired. 47. And when the centurion saw what happened, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48. And all the multitudes who were present at that spectacle, when they saw what was done, returned, smiting their breasts. 49. And all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, beholding these things.

And Pilate marveled if - Wondered if he was dead, or wondered that he was so soon dead. It was not common for persons crucified to expire under two or three days, sometimes not until the sixth or seventh. Joseph had asked for the "body," implying that he was dead. That he was, had been ascertained by the soldiers. See John 19:33.

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead,.... For death, by crucifixion, was a slow lingering death; persons that were in their full strength hung a great while before they expired; and the two thieves, which were crucified with Christ, were not dead when he was:
and calling unto him the centurion; who was set to watch him:
he asked him, whether he had been any while dead; he inquired of him, whether he was dead, and how long he had been dead.

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