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
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went …
Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: …
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones …
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living …
And sitting down they watched him there;
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son …
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the …
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, …
Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I …