Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 15:42-43

"And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, there came Joseph of Arimathaea, a councillor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for the kingdom of God; and he boldly went in unto Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus." — Mark 15:42-43 (ASV)

I have no doubt that Pilate was very surprised that a member of the Sanhedrin should come and ask for the body of Jesus, when, a little while before, he had put him to death really by the mandate of that body of men.