ᾐτήσατο τὸ σῶμα. This was a bold, and might even have proved to be a perilous request. Hence the ‘boldly’ (τολμήσας) of Mark 15:43. Pilate seems to have granted the boon without a bribe because the Jewish care for burial was well known (Matthew 14:12; Acts 8:2; Jos. B. J. IV. 5, § 2), and was indeed a part of their Law (Deuteronomy 21:23). For the surprise of Pilate at the rapid death of Jesus, and his inquiry about it from the centurion, and other details, see Mark 15:44.

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Old Testament