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Mark 15:42–47 (ESV)
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, 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. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
“What exactly is the issue?” That’s a question that I’m often asking myself when I’m counseling an individual or a couple who are struggling in their marriage. Often, the issue or the problem is surrounded by a host of emotions and other rabbit holes that have been dug, whose beginnings can be traced to the central issue. So it becomes critical to cut through the distracting stuff and get to the heart of the matter.
That’s what Mark is doing here in this passage, as Mark notes all these details about Jesus’ death. Mark makes it plain to all that Jesus has died.
You see, the central claim about Jesus is that He rose from the dead. That is the message that the disciples carried into the world. Not that Jesus was a great teacher, an inspirational leader, or a healer who suffered a terrible injustice and a tragic death. No. The central claim of the disciples and the early church (and the church today) is that Jesus is risen!
Of course, the message of a risen-from-the-dead Savior stretches the bounds of human credulity. People often respond to the claim that Jesus rose from the dead with skepticism. How can someone rise from the dead? It must be that Jesus wasn’t really dead but just appeared to be dead. People then and now have their doubts regarding Christian claims of a risen Jesus. There has always been room for doubt, but Mark wants to make sure that anyone’s doubt is centered on the heart of the matter, which is why he records these details for us.
First, Mark notes Pilate’s surprise that Jesus died so quickly. Crucifixion was often a long and torturous process designed to last for days so as to inflict as much suffering and humiliation on its victims as possible.
Second, there is the confirmation from the centurion that Jesus was, in fact, dead. The Romans had crucified hundreds of thousands of people and knew when someone was dead. In fact, Jim Edwards notes in his excellent commentary on Mark’s Gospel that, during Rome’s centuries in power, not one person is recorded as having survived crucifixion.
Third, the disciples don’t have anything to do with Jesus’ body or burial. They are in hiding, fearing for their lives, so we can rule out the possibility that they stole Jesus’ body.
Fourth, in our passage, Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea, and the centurion all testify to Jesus’ death, and Joseph and the centurion have had personal contact with the corpse. And please note that Jesus’ body is described as a corpse in verse 45.
Finally, we’re assured that Jesus was laid in a tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where Jesus’ body was laid. These women are also witnesses. They were present at the cross and are now present to watch Joseph bury Jesus.
All these details serve to dispel any doubts regarding Jesus’ death. Jesus wasn’t nearly dead on the cross, and there wasn’t any interference on the part of the disciples. Jesus died.
If we’re using our brains and exploring the matter seriously (as my friend and pastor Henry Greene would say), the peripheral reasons for doubt are removed, and we’re forced to wrestle with the truth: Jesus is the Son of God, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
The earth-shaking, history-changing, death of death will soon be revealed in the sunrise of the first Easter morning. Jesus is not resuscitated. Jesus is not in recovery. Jesus has risen!
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott
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