Pilate was surprised that he was dead already; he summoned the captain and asked if he had been dead some time,
When Jesus heard that, he marvelled; "I tell you truly," he said to his followers, "I have never met faith like this anywhere in Israel.
Joseph of Arimathaea, a councillor of good position who himself was on the outlook for the Reign of God, ventured to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus.
and on ascertaining this from the captain he bestowed the corpse on Joseph.