noon
We wondered how it was that he said nothing . We have come to see his worship , Joseph interrupted ; and the doorkeeper , who knew Joseph to be a friend of Pilate , was embarrassed , for Pilate had sent down an order that he would see no one again that day ; but , like the centurion , he was amenable to money , and consented to take in Joseph 's name . There was no need to give him money , he would not have dared to refuse Pilate 's friend , the centurion said as they waited . Word came back quickly that Joseph was to be admitted , and after begging Pilate to forgive him for intruding upon his privacy so late in the day , he put his request into words , saying straight away : I have come to ask for the body of Jesus , who was condemned to the cross at noon . At these words Pilate 's face became overcast , and he said that he regretted that Joseph had come to ask him for something he could not grant . It would have been pleasant to leave Jerusalem knowing that I never refused you anything , Joseph , for you are the one Jew for whom I have any respect , and , I may add , some affection . But why , Pilate , can not you give me Jesus ' body ?