{If he were already dead} (ei (8864)(8820)tethn(886b)en). Perfect
active indicative with ei after a verb of wondering, a
classical idiom, a kind of indirect question just as we say "I
wonder if." Usually death by crucifixion was lingering. This item
is only in Mark. {Whether he had been any while dead} (ei palai
apethanen). B D read (8864)(885c) (already) again here instead of
palai (a long time). Mark does not tell the request of the Jews
to Pilate that the legs of the three might be broken ( Joh
19:31-37 ). Pilate wanted to make sure that Jesus was actually
dead by official report.