six o'clock
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 .