What does Mark 15:45 mean?

Usually, a crucifixion victim can only be claimed by a family member. Although Jesus' brothers may be in Jerusalem for the Passover, they are not mentioned. It's not unlikely they want nothing to do with these events (John 7:5; Mark 3:20–21). Mary stood by the cross earlier (John 19:25–27), but it appears John has taken her away as she is not named among the women who witness Jesus' last breath (Mark 15:40). So Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43) and secret follower of Jesus (John 19:38), asks Pilate for Jesus' body (Mark 15:42–43).

The day of Jesus' death is especially inconvenient. John states that the next day will be a "high day" (John 19:31). The day after Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened bread. The Law states, "On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly. No work shall be done on those days…" (Exodus 12:16). To honor the holiday-Sabbath, the Jewish leaders have asked Pilate to break the legs of the crucifixion victims so they can be buried before sundown (John 19:31) This would have accelerated the process of suffocation. Not only must the work of burial be completed before the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, to leave a body hanging overnight is to invite a curse upon the land (Deuteronomy 21:22–23).

With Joseph is Nicodemus (John 19:39), the Pharisee who spoke to Jesus about being born again (John 3:1–8). He is also one of the few besides the disciples whom Jesus directly told He would be crucified for the salvation of those who believe in Jesus (John 3:14–15). Nicodemus brings seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus' body for burial. After the Sabbath, the women who follow Jesus will try to supplement the herbs but find an empty tomb, instead (Mark 16:1–8).