2760. kenturión

Lexical Summary

kenturión: Centurion

Original Word: κεντυρίων
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: kenturión
Pronunciation: ken-too-ree-OWN
Phonetic Spelling: (ken-too-ree'-ohn)
KJV: centurion
NASB: centurion
Word Origin: [of Latin origin]

1. a centurion, i.e. captain of one hundred soldiers

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

centurion.

Of Latin origin; a centurion, i.e. Captain of one hundred soldiers -- centurion.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Latin origin
Definition
a centurion (a Rom. army officer)
NASB Translation
centurion (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2760: κεντυρίων

κεντυρίων, κεντυρίωνος, ὁ, a Latin word, a centurion: Mark 15:39, 44f (Polybius 6, 24, 5.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 2760 identifies the Roman “centurion” (Greek κεντυρίων, kenturiōn), a Latin loan-word preserved in the Gospel of Mark. While the New Testament more commonly uses the Greek term ἑκατόνταρχος, Mark alone employs this Latin form, highlighting the Roman milieu surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Mark 15:39 – The centurion confesses Christ’s divine sonship.
2. Mark 15:44 – Pilate consults the centurion concerning the timing of Jesus’ death.
3. Mark 15:45 – Pilate releases the body to Joseph of Arimathea after receiving the officer’s confirmation.

These three verses constitute the entirety of 2760’s use, all within the Passion narrative.

Historical Background of the Roman Centurion

Centurions commanded roughly one hundred soldiers, forming the backbone of Roman legions. Known for discipline, courage, and reliability, they were expected to lead by example in battle. Their prominence in the Gospels and Acts reflects Rome’s pervasive influence and illustrates how men of authority responded to Jesus and the early Church.

Role in the Passion Narrative

Mark positions the centurion at the foot of the cross, placing a Gentile officer as the first human voice in that Gospel to proclaim Jesus “Son of God” at the climactic moment of His death:

“When the centurion who stood facing Him saw how He had breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39).

This testimony fulfills Mark’s opening statement about “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1) and contrasts with the mockery of onlookers. The centurion’s acknowledgement underscores the universal scope of the gospel and anticipates the mission to the nations.

Verification of Christ’s Death

Pilate’s consultation with the centurion (Mark 15:44-45) functions historically and theologically. Historically, a professional military officer, trained in execution procedures, certifies that Jesus truly died—not swooned—rebuffing later theories that deny a literal death. Theologically, the confirmation safeguards the integrity of the resurrection accounts: a real death necessitates a real resurrection.

Comparison with Other Centurions in Scripture

Although kenturiōn appears only in Mark, other centurions—designated ἑκατόνταρχος—echo similar traits:

• Matthew 8:5-13 – A centurion displays remarkable faith, prompting Jesus to marvel and foretell Gentile inclusion.
• Acts 10 – Cornelius becomes the first recorded Gentile convert and receives the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 27 – Julius treats Paul with humanity during the voyage to Rome.

Together these passages portray centurions as men responsive to revelation, bridging Jewish-Gentile divides.

Theological Significance

1. Gentile Witness: The crucifixion centurion serves as a prototype of Gentile confession, affirming that salvation extends beyond Israel.
2. Christological Clarity: His declaration encapsulates Mark’s purpose, anchoring Jesus’ identity in the moment of atoning death.
3. Authority and Submission: A man used to giving orders recognizes a higher Authority, modeling humility before Christ.

Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship

• God reaches people in every vocation; no sphere of influence is beyond His call.
• Observing Christ’s sacrificial love compels confession and transformation.
• Believers are likewise to be reliable witnesses, verifying and proclaiming the truth of the gospel with integrity.

Bridge to the Nations

The centurion’s confession preludes the Great Commission. His voice at Golgotha foreshadows multitudes “from every nation” who will declare, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12). In Mark, the first Gentile voice to acclaim Jesus points forward to the global harvest that continues through the Church today.

Forms and Transliterations

κεντυριων κεντυρίων κεντυριωνα κεντυρίωνα κεντυριωνος κεντυρίωνος kenturion kenturiōn kenturiona kenturiōna kenturionos kenturiōnos kentyrion kentyriōn kentyríon kentyríōn kentyriona kentyriōna kentyríona kentyríōna kentyrionos kentyriōnos kentyríonos kentyríōnos

Englishman's Concordance

Mark 15:39 N-NMS
GRK: δὲ ὁ κεντυρίων ὁ παρεστηκὼς
NAS: When the centurion, who was standing
KJV: And when the centurion, which stood
INT: moreover the centurion who stood by

Mark 15:44 N-AMS
GRK: προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν κεντυρίωνα ἐπηρώτησεν αὐτὸν
NAS: and summoning the centurion, he questioned
KJV: calling [unto him] the centurion, he asked
INT: having called to [him] the centurion he questioned him

Mark 15:45 N-GMS
GRK: ἀπὸ τοῦ κεντυρίωνος ἐδωρήσατο τὸ
NAS: And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted
KJV: [it] of the centurion, he gave
INT: from the centurion he granted the

Strong's Greek 2760
3 Occurrences

κεντυρίων — 1 Occ.
κεντυρίωνα — 1 Occ.
κεντυρίωνος — 1 Occ.