Luke 23:47
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It’s easy to miss that the centurion's confession, "Certainly this man was innocent!" is an act of glorifying God. By declaring Jesus' righteousness, he's acknowledging God's hand in the unfolding events and affirming that God would not allow an innocent man to suffer unjustly. This highlights how, even amidst the chaos and darkness, this Roman soldier recognized a divine order and a holy purpose at play.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, the sky darkens, and the earth trembles. After Jesus cries out his final words and breathes his last, the Roman centurion witnessing these supernatural events is deeply moved. This powerful reaction, prompted by the incredible signs and Jesus' own demeanor, leads him to declare Jesus' innocence and praise God.
At the foot of the cross, amidst the supernatural darkness and terror, a Roman soldier's perspective shifts dramatically. What did he see that made him declare Jesus' innocence?
It's easy to think of the crucifixion as just Jesus and the thieves. But Luke highlights a Roman centurion, a professional soldier, who was there, watching. His job was to maintain order and ensure the execution was carried out. He wasn't a follower; he was an observer in a grim scene.
A Shift in Perception
What caused this hardened soldier to speak up? The text says, 'when the centurion saw what had taken place.' This wasn't just about witnessing the death; it was about witnessing the events surrounding it. The unnatural darkness, the earth trembling, the rocks splitting – these weren't ordinary occurrences. They pointed to something far beyond a routine execution.
Glorifying God Through Confession
His response, 'he praised God,' is incredibly significant. He didn't just say, 'Wow, that was strange.' He saw God at work, even in this devastating moment. And his conclusion, 'Certainly this man was innocent!' (or as other Gospels record, 'Truly this was the Son of God'), was a direct testimony against the accusations and the Roman judgment. This pagan soldier, through the signs and the very manner of Jesus' death, recognized a divine truth.
The centurion's statement, 'Certainly this man was a righteous man,' might sound simple. But in the context of Jesus' trial and execution, what did this powerful confession truly mean?
The Gospels offer slightly different wording for the centurion's confession (Luke: 'righteous man'; Matthew & Mark: 'Son of God'). This isn't a contradiction, but a beautiful unfolding of understanding.
More Than Just Innocent
When the centurion called Jesus 'righteous,' he wasn't just saying Jesus hadn't committed a crime. In that culture, 'righteous' carried a deep meaning of moral integrity, justice, and faithfulness to God. For this soldier, witnessing Jesus' suffering, his dignity, and the cosmic signs, Jesus stood out as someone morally perfect and in right standing with God, unlike anyone he had ever encountered.
Understand the original words
hekatontarchēs · Greek Noun
A Roman military officer in command of a century (roughly 80-100 soldiers). In the New Testament, they are often depicted as capable, authoritative figures who interact with Jesus and his followers with a degree of respect.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
Literally 'righteous' or 'just'. It refers to one who is free from guilt, particularly in a legal or moral sense, and reflects a state of being in accordance with God's standards or lacking blame before a judge.
The centurion's confession comes at the climax of Jesus' earthly life, during the crucifixion, an event filled with supernatural signs that convinced even a Roman soldier of Jesus' unique nature.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry
Jesus carried out his public ministry, teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God throughout Judea and Galilee.
Nisan 14, AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified by Roman authorities under Pontius Pilate, amid supernatural phenomena like darkness and an earthquake.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Spread
Following Jesus' resurrection and ascension, his followers began to spread his message throughout the Roman Empire.
c. AD 60-62
Luke's Gospel Written
The Gospel of Luke, carefully researched and historically accurate, was written to provide a reliable account of Jesus' life and teachings for Theophilus and other believers.
This passage offers a parallel account where the centurion, witnessing the same events, declares Jesus to be the 'Son of God,' highlighting the profound recognition of Jesus' divine nature even by a Roman soldier.
Mark 15:39Similar to Luke, Mark records the centurion's awe-struck confession after observing Jesus' death, emphasizing how the supernatural signs and Jesus' demeanor led to this declaration.
Acts 10:1-4This passage introduces another centurion, Cornelius, who also feared God and was devoted to prayer, showing a pattern of Roman military men who were open to recognizing God's work and seeking Him.
Isaiah 53:11This prophecy describes the suffering servant who will 'see his offspring and prolong his days' and 'by his knowledge make many to be accounted righteous,' foreshadowing how Jesus' righteous suffering would lead to the salvation and justification of many, as recognized by the centurion.
John 19:7The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of making Himself the 'Son of God,' which provides context for why the centurion's declaration of Jesus' righteousness or divine sonship was so significant, as it directly addressed the core of the accusations against Jesus.
pooleLuke 23:47: "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man."
Ver. 47-49. For a perfect knowledge of all those things which did happen after our Saviour’s nailing to the cross, till he died, and was taken down to be buried, all the evangelists must be consulted. We have made a collection of them in our notes on Matthew 27:51-56 , to which the reader is here referred. See Poole on "Matthew 27:51" , and following verses to Matthew 27:56 . Th…
calvinLuke 23:44-49: "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour."
- Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole land [280] till the ninth hour. 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47. And some of those who were standing by, when they heard it, said, He calleth Elijah. 48. And immediately one of them ran, and took a spon…
It’s easy to miss that the centurion's confession, "Certainly this man was innocent!" is an act of glorifying God. By declaring Jesus' righteousness, he's acknowledging God's hand in the unfolding events and affirming that God would not allow an innocent man to suffer unjustly. This highlights how, even amidst the chaos and darkness, this Roman soldier recognized a divine order and a holy purpose at play.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, the sky darkens, and the earth trembles. After Jesus cries out his final words and breathes his last, the Roman centurion witnessing these supernatural events is deeply moved. This powerful reaction, prompted by the incredible signs and Jesus' own demeanor, leads him to declare Jesus' innocence and praise God.
As Jesus hangs on the cross, the sky darkens, and the earth trembles. After Jesus cries out his final words and breathes his last, the Roman centurion witnessing these supernatural events is deeply moved. This powerful reaction, prompted by the incredible signs and Jesus' own demeanor, leads him to declare Jesus' innocence and praise God.
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A Glimpse of Divinity
For a Roman pagan, directly confessing Jesus as 'Son of God' might have been a leap too far, or perhaps a title with different cultural connotations. Luke's rendering, 'righteous man,' captures the core of what the centurion grasped: Jesus was not an ordinary man. He was divinely set apart, perfectly aligned with God's will, and therefore, deserving of ultimate respect and awe. It was a testament to Jesus' character and divine connection, even from a man who likely didn't fully understand the theological implications of Jesus' identity.
The centurion's confession wasn't just about him recognizing Jesus; it was about God using the cross to reveal His Son to the world.
The events surrounding Jesus' death were not accidental. The darkness, the earthquake, the tearing of the temple veil – these were deliberate signs from God Himself.
Divine Confirmation
These supernatural occurrences served as divine confirmation of Jesus' identity and the significance of his sacrifice. They declared that this execution was not just a human injustice but a cosmic event with eternal implications. Even hardened soldiers and the crowds who witnessed it were confronted with undeniable evidence that something extraordinary was happening.
A Testimony for All Times
The centurion's testimony, alongside the other signs, provides a powerful witness to Jesus' divinity and righteousness. It shows that God orchestrates events to reveal truth, even in the darkest hours. The cross, the ultimate symbol of suffering, becomes the ultimate platform for God to testify about His Son, drawing even an unlikely observer to acknowledge His true nature.
"Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!”" — It’s easy to miss that the centurion's confession, "Certainly this man was innocent!" is an act of glorifying God. By declaring Jesus' righteousness, he's acknowledging God's hand in the unfolding ev…
