15 ⁴² By this time evening had come; and as it was Preparation-day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 15 ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathaea, a respected member of the Council, a man who was eagerly awaiting the kingdom of God, bravely went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 15 ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; so he sent for the centurion and asked him whether it was long since he died. 15 ⁴⁵ And when he heard the centurion's report, he gave Joseph leave to take the dead body. 15 ⁴⁶ So Joseph bought a linen sheet, took him down from the cross, and wrapped him in the sheet. Then he laid him in a tomb cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance. 15 ⁴⁷ And Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where he was laid.