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.
Original Language Analysis
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
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
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)
Cross References
Mark 15:39And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.Matthew 27:36And sitting down they watched him there;Matthew 27:43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.Acts 27:1And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.Acts 21:32Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.Acts 23:23And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;Acts 27:43But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.Matthew 8:5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
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
- How does a pagan Roman centurion confessing Jesus as 'Son of God' demonstrate the gospel's power to save even the most unlikely people?
- What specific evidences convinced the centurion—how can we point others to similar evidence of Christ's deity and saving work?
- What does it mean that supernatural signs (earthquake, darkness) accompanied the cross—how do these validate Christ's atoning death?
Related Resources
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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.