Matthew Chapter 27 · Verse 54

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

Ὁ G3588
Ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 24
but, and, etc
ἑκατόνταρχος when the centurion G1543
ἑκατόνταρχος when the centurion
Strong's: G1543
Word #: 3 of 24
the captain of one hundred men
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετ' they that were with G3326
μετ' they that were with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 6 of 24
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτοῦ him G846
αὐτοῦ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 7 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τηροῦντες watching G5083
τηροῦντες watching
Strong's: G5083
Word #: 8 of 24
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦν Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 10 of 24
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἰδόντες saw G1492
ἰδόντες saw
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 11 of 24
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σεισμὸν the earthquake G4578
σεισμὸν the earthquake
Strong's: G4578
Word #: 13 of 24
a commotion, i.e., (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 14 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενόμενα those things that were done G1096
γενόμενα those things that were done
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 16 of 24
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐφοβήθησαν they feared G5399
ἐφοβήθησαν they feared
Strong's: G5399
Word #: 17 of 24
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
σφόδρα greatly G4970
σφόδρα greatly
Strong's: G4970
Word #: 18 of 24
of uncertain derivation) as adverb; vehemently, i.e., in a high degree, much
λέγοντες saying G3004
λέγοντες saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 19 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἀληθῶς Truly G230
Ἀληθῶς Truly
Strong's: G230
Word #: 20 of 24
truly
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 21 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
υἱὸς the Son G5207
υἱὸς the Son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 22 of 24
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ἦν was G2258
ἦν was
Strong's: G2258
Word #: 23 of 24
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
οὗτος this G3778
οὗτος this
Strong's: G3778
Word #: 24 of 24
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

Analysis & Commentary

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 Roman centurion supervising the crucifixion witnessed supernatural events and declared faith. 'Saw the earthquake, and those things that were done' (ἰδόντες τὸν σεισμὸν καὶ τὰ γενόμενα/idontes ton seismon kai ta genomena)—darkness, earthquake, opened tombs, the manner of Jesus's death (His voluntary yielding of spirit, His loud cry despite physical weakness).

'They feared greatly' (ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα/ephobēthēsan sphodra)—intense fear, awe before divine power. This wasn't mere superstition but recognition of God's presence. 'Truly this was the Son of God' (Ἀληθῶς θεοῦ υἱὸς ἦν οὗτος/Alēthōs theou hyios ēn houtos)—remarkable confession from a pagan soldier.

Whether this was saving faith or mere acknowledgment is debated. Early tradition (some church fathers) held the centurion (named Longinus in tradition) became a Christian. At minimum, it shows God's power to open even hardened hearts—a Roman soldier trained to kill, who had crucified many, saw in Jesus's death something transcendent and confessed His divine sonship.

Historical Context

Centurions were professional soldiers, commanding 80-100 men, tough and experienced. This man had likely supervised numerous crucifixions. Yet Jesus's death was unique—the darkness, earthquake, His bearing, His words ('Father, forgive them,' 'It is finished'). These signs convinced even a pagan soldier of Christ's deity.

This fulfills Jesus's words: 'I, if I be lifted up... will draw all men unto me' (John 12:32). The cross that appeared as weakness became the magnet drawing even Gentile soldiers to faith.

Questions for Reflection