THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
In Mark 15:43-45, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for Jesus' body, and Pilate is unaware of whether he is dead; only after sending a centurion and receiving this confirmation does he allow Joseph to take the body. However in John 19:31-33, 38, Pilate actually authorizes the leg-breaking to ensure they have all died and then authorizes Joseph to remove the body. Mark 15:42 states it was evening, ie. the Sabbath had already begun (the Jewish ‘day' beginning at 6 pm), when Joseph asks for the body. However, burial was not allowed on this day, showing the fictitiousness of the story.

RESPONSE:
It seems that the supposed contradiction is based upon several assumptions and misunderstandings. There is certainly no contradiction between Mark 15:43-45 and John 19:31-33, 38. John provides some information that Mark doesn't, and Mark provides some information that John does not; but there is no contradiction in the things they say. Here is the order of events as found in these texts:
– the Jews ask Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken;
– Joseph comes to Pilate asking for the body;
– Pilate inquires whether Jesus was dead yet;
– Pilate releases the body to Joseph.

The questioner assumes that because Mark's account says "...evening had come...", that it was now the Sabbath. Matthew's account likewise states that "...evening had come..." (27:57), but we also read "...on the next day, which followed the Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate..." (27:62). What was this "next day, which followed the Preparation Day..."? Would it not be the Sabbath? If so, the word "evening" is describing the period of time which preceded the beginning of the Sabbath (ie. 4-6 pm). Luke's account clearly reveals that the body was asked for and buried prior to the beginning of the Sabbath (Luke 23:52-56).

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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