What is the meaning of Luke 23:47? When the centurion saw what had happened • The officer had watched the entire crucifixion scene unfold: – Darkness covered the land for three hours (Luke 23:44–45; cf. Matthew 27:45). – The temple veil tore in two at Jesus’ final cry (Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:51). – Jesus “called out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ And when He had said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23:46). – Matthew notes an earthquake and split rocks (Matthew 27:51–54). • These public, supernatural signs confronted a hardened Roman with undeniable evidence that the death he had just supervised was like no other. • Similar eyewitness responses appear whenever Jesus’ divine authority breaks through—see Luke 7:16 (“They were all filled with awe and glorified God”). he gave glory to God • The centurion’s immediate instinct was worship, not mere admiration. • “Giving glory” in Scripture always acknowledges God’s character and work (Luke 17:15–18; Acts 11:18). • His response shows: – Recognition that the events he saw were acts of God, not chance. – Submission of a Gentile soldier’s heart to Israel’s God, echoing the magi in Matthew 2:11 and foreshadowing Cornelius in Acts 10:1–4. – A public confession, contrasting the mockery of other soldiers (Luke 23:36–37). saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.” • The centurion declares Jesus innocent and morally flawless—“righteous” (cf. Luke 23:4, 14, 22 where Pilate finds no fault). • Matthew records the fuller confession, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54), indicating both Jesus’ divinity and righteousness. • Scripture consistently affirms Christ’s sinlessness: – “He committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). – “The Righteous One, whom you have betrayed and murdered” (Acts 3:14). – “My righteous Servant will justify many” (Isaiah 53:11). • At the cross, God used even a Roman executioner to bear witness that His Son is the flawless Lamb (John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21). summary The centurion watched the darkness, the earthquake, and Jesus’ composed surrender of His spirit. Overwhelmed, he glorified God and proclaimed Jesus’ innocence. In doing so, this Gentile soldier joined the chorus of Scripture affirming that the One who died on the cross is perfectly righteous, the sinless Son sent to redeem sinners. |
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