Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:58

"this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up." — Matthew 27:58 (ASV)

He went to Pilate. Because no one had a right to remove the body but the magistrate, he was condemned to be crucified—usually a long and most bitter death; and, in common cases, it would have been unlawful to have removed the body so soon.