Matthew 27:54
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Study Note
Study Note
'Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God' — the pagan soldier's confession at the cross is Matthew's carefully placed climax to the trial scenes where Jewish authorities repeatedly denied what a Roman centurion now affirms. The confession echoes the demoniac voices of Matthew 8:29 and the disciples' confession in 14:33 — but comes from the representative of imperial power, whose instruments of execution have just disclosed rather than silenced the divine identity of the one killed. The centurion's confession thus opens Matthew's post-resurrection commissioning (28:18–20) where all authority is given to Jesus over precisely those nations the centurion represents.
Other Translations
Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And the centurion, and those with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were exceedingly afraid, saying, `Truly this was God's Son.'
Now the captain and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earth-shock and the things which were done, were in great fear and said, Truly this was a son of God.
Cross References
Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: …
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went …
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, …
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I …
But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should …
And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one …
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore …
Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for …