He knew Pilate would grant him almost any favour he might ask; but within fifty yards of the crosses his heart began to fail him, for, whereas the thieves were straining their heads high in the air above the crossbar, Jesus’ head was sunk on to his chest.  He died a while ago, the centurion said, and as soon as he was dead the multitude began to disperse, the Sabbath being at hand; and guessing Joseph to be a man of importance, he added:  if you like I’ll make certain that he is dead, and, taking his spear from one of the soldiers, he would have plunged it into Jesus’ side, but Joseph, forgetful of the warning he had received, on no account to show sympathy with Jesus, laid his hand on the spear-head, saying:  respect the dead.  As you will, the centurion replied, and gave the spear back to the soldier, who returned to his comrades, it being his turn to cast the dice.  They have cast dice, the centurion continued, and will divide the clothes of these men amongst them; and, hearing the words, one of the soldiers held up the rags that had come to him, while another spread upon the ground Jesus’ fine cloak, the one that Peter had bought for Jesus with money that Joseph gave to him.  That he should see the cloak again, and on such an occasion, touched his heart.  It was a humble incident in a cruel murder committed by a priest; and the thought crossed Joseph’s mind that he might purchase the cloak from the soldier, but, remembering the warning he had received, he did not ask for the cloak, nor did he once lift his eyes to Jesus’ face, lest the sight of it should wring his heart, and being overcome and helpless with grief, the priests and their hirelings might begin to suspect him.

He strove instead to call reason to his aid:  Jesus’ life being spent, his duty was to obtain the body and bury it:  far worse than the death he endured would be for his sacred body to be thrown into the common ditch with these malefactors.  I know not how you can abide here, he said to the centurion; their groans make the heart faint.  We shall break their bones presently; the Jews asked us to do this, for at six o’clock their Sabbath begins.  And in this the thieves are lucky, for were it not for their Sabbath they would last on for three or four days:  the first day is the worst day; afterwards the crucified sinks into unconsciousness, and I doubt if he suffers at all on the third day, and on the fourth day he dies.  But, Sir, what may I do for you?  I’ve come for the body of this man, Joseph answered; for, however erring, he was not a thief, and deserves decent burial.  You can come with me to testify that I’ve buried it in a rock sepulchre, the stone of which yourself shall roll into the door.  To which the centurion answered that he did not dare to deliver up the body of Jesus without an order from Pilate, though he was dead.  Dead an hour or more, truly dead, he added.  Pilate will not refuse his body to me, Joseph replied.  Pilate and I are well acquainted; we are as friends are; you must have seen me at the Praetorium before now, coming to talk with the procurator about the transport of wheat from Moab, and other things.