How does the centurion's declaration in Luke 23:47 demonstrate Jesus' divine nature? Reading the Text Luke 23:47: “When the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God and said, ‘Surely this Man was righteous.’” Setting the Scene • Darkness covered the land (Luke 23:44–45) • The temple veil tore (Luke 23:45) • Jesus surrendered His spirit with a loud cry (Luke 23:46) • A hardened Roman officer—trained to ignore suffering—watched every moment What the Centurion Noticed • Unmatched composure: Jesus prayed for His executioners (Luke 23:34) and entrusted Himself to the Father (Luke 23:46). • Supernatural signs: Creation itself reacted to the cross. • A flawless life ending in unjust death: even Pilate had declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4, 14, 22). Why His Declaration Points to Deity • Only God is perfectly righteous – “For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice” (Psalm 11:7). – “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10)—yet the centurion saw One who was. • Recognition leads to worship – The soldier “glorified God,” not merely offering an opinion but responding in reverence. Genuine worship is due to God alone (Exodus 20:3). • Prophecy fulfilled before his eyes – Isaiah 53:9 foretold Messiah’s innocence: “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.” – 1 Peter 2:22 repeats this truth of Jesus’ sinlessness. • Harmonizing Gospel testimony – Mark 15:39: “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54 records the same confession. Luke emphasizes righteousness; Mark and Matthew spotlight divine Sonship—together revealing Jesus’ full identity as the sinless Son of God. • Cosmic confirmation – Creation’s turmoil echoes Old Testament imagery of God’s presence (Amos 8:9). The soldier connects these signs directly to Jesus, acknowledging a power only God wields. Takeaway for Today The first confession of Jesus’ righteousness and Sonship at the cross comes from an unlikely Gentile witness. His words, inspired by what he saw and heard, testify that the One hanging on the center cross was no mere man but the righteous, divine Son of God—worthy of worship and faith. |
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