And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Comment: To answer the question asked in the title – ‘No’, He didn’t; ‘Yes’, He did! Mark doesn’t record the death certificate but John does! (Remember that John was at the foot of the cross when Jesus died!) – John 19 32-35 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. Where did the blood and water come from? Medically you can argue several points but both support the certainty of the death certificate!
They were in a hurry to bury Jesus because of the potentially rapid deterioration of the body if they didn’t quickly wrap their medications around the body and even more significantly, as mentioned in the passage from Mark, because if they didn’t do it by 2400 Hours. their time, (6pm, 1800 hours, our time) they couldn’t do it on the Sabbath by Jewish Law, and He would have been hanging on the Cross decaying! Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin who had pretty obviously voted against the ‘death sentence’ which the Sanhedrin had proclaimed and bravely went to Pilate to ask permission to bury Jesus. Pilate checked on (read) ‘the death certificate’ by asking the Roman Centurion and then gave his permission for Joseph to bury the body! Please note that the disciples couldn’t make a mistake on Sunday morning because they saw Joseph lay Jesus’ body in the cave and thus knew where to go! Scholars have many ideas of what the real Jesus did while His body lay in the cave. If you want to read their ideas do so. I am content to say with great delight that He didn’t stay there for long!
Psalm 16 8-10 – I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Prayer: What a dark time it must have been, that Saturday, for Your followers, Jesus. Thank You that we live after You exited the tomb, ALIVE!
As I read it! 