What did the centurion say when Jesus dies? Certainly this man was innocent (Luke 23:47) Truly this man was the Son of God (Mark 15:39)

I. Historical Context

The Gospels describe a Roman centurion stationed at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Centurions were professional officers in the Roman army, commanding roughly one hundred soldiers. They held positions of power and represented imperial authority in occupied territories. In Judea, they also supervised executions, which were carried out by Roman mandate. Because of their role, a centurion’s perspective on an execution held both legal weight and practical familiarity with the process. His reaction to Jesus’ death is therefore noteworthy.

Ancient writings and archaeological findings confirm that crucifixion was a common punishment in the Roman Empire, used for criminals and perceived enemies of Rome. Several skeletal remains uncovered near Jerusalem (such as the remains of a crucified man named Yehohanan, discovered in the 1960s) support the historical reliability of the Gospel accounts of Roman crucifixion in first-century Judea.

II. Gospel Accounts

Two of the four Gospels specifically record the centurion’s response to the events at the cross:

1. Luke 23:47: “When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’”

2. Mark 15:39: “And when the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’”

Matthew also notes a similar statement, adding that both the centurion and those with him were terrified and exclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). While Luke highlights Jesus’ innocence, Mark and Matthew emphasize the recognition of Jesus’ divine identity.

III. Significance of the Centurion’s Role

A centurion’s pronouncement carried authority in the Roman system. That this Roman officer—familiar with crucifixion, skilled at discerning a criminal’s guilt or innocence—should declare Jesus both innocent and “the Son of God” is remarkable. His statement underscores two major themes:

1. The legal aspect: Jesus was without fault in the eyes of a Roman soldier who watched Him die.

2. The theological aspect: A Gentile acknowledged Jesus’ divine status.

For a Roman official to speak so positively about a crucified man, especially one condemned under Roman orders, implies something extraordinary happened before his eyes.

IV. The Centurion’s Confession

1. “Surely this was a righteous man.”

• Luke 23:47 in the Berean Standard Bible states: “When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’”

• The term “righteous” (Greek: δίκαιος, dikaios) conveys both innocence and moral uprightness. The centurion, having witnessed the events of the crucifixion—including darkness and other phenomena—attributed to Jesus a status beyond that of a convicted criminal.

2. “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

• Mark 15:39 in the Berean Standard Bible notes: “And when the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God!’”

• Identifying Jesus as “the Son of God” underscores a revelation that transcends mere human innocence. From a Roman perspective, this confession acknowledged Jesus’ unique relationship with the God worshiped by the people in Judea.

V. Theological Implications

1. Recognition of Jesus’ Innocence

The declaration that Jesus is “righteous” directly affirms His sinlessness. It correlates with broader New Testament teaching (2 Corinthians 5:21) that Jesus knew no sin. Even before the crucifixion, Pilate found no guilt in Him (Luke 23:4), and the centurion’s statement confirms that from a Roman officer’s vantage point.

2. Confession of Deity

Calling Jesus “the Son of God” resonates with the central message of the Gospels—that Jesus is fully divine and fully human (John 1:1, 14). The centurion’s words also foreshadow the early Church’s proclamation that Jesus’ resurrection proved Him to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).

3. Gentile Acknowledgment

The confession made by a Roman official highlights the inclusive nature of the mission depicted in Scripture. Although Jesus was crucified under Roman authority, the event of the cross opened the door to Gentiles as well as Jews (Ephesians 2:12–13). The centurion’s declaration epitomizes early Gentile recognition of Jesus’ true identity.

VI. Harmonizing the Gospel Accounts

1. Varied Yet Complementary Statements

The Gospels were written by different authors with different backgrounds, perspectives, and target audiences. Mark highlights the declaration “the Son of God,” whereas Luke underscores Jesus’ righteousness. Both statements, however, can easily coexist: one could acknowledge both Jesus’ innocence and His divine status.

2. Consistency in Manuscript Evidence

Ancient manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus preserve these passages in Luke and Mark without contradiction. Textual critics have found strong manuscript support that these accounts accurately represent the earliest recorded testimonies of what transpired at the crucifixion.

3. Historicity of the Event

Multiple lines of evidence—in manuscript attestation, internal consistency, and agreement among the Synoptic Gospels—uphold the reliability of these statements. Secular sources (e.g., Tacitus, Josephus) corroborate the larger narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion under Pontius Pilate, further reinforcing the historical reliability of the Gospel records.

VII. Reflection on Faith

The centurion’s response demonstrates that exposure to the events of Jesus’ death led some onlookers—even an agent of the Roman Empire—to a moment of reverence and belief. Many first-century witnesses were similarly compelled by the life, teaching, crucifixion, and subsequent resurrection of Jesus. For those exploring these events, the centurion’s words echo a timeless call to reflect not only on Jesus’ moral innocence but on His divine identity.

VIII. Conclusion

The question “What did the centurion say when Jesus died?” finds its answer in two Gospel accounts. Luke 23:47 presents the centurion praising God and proclaiming Jesus’ righteousness, while Mark 15:39 (and Matthew 27:54) emphasizes a declaration of Jesus’ divine sonship. Both affirm Jesus was blameless and acknowledge a revelation of His extraordinary nature.

In examining these complementary statements, a clearer understanding emerges: the centurion witnessed the power and significance of the moment. The combination of the supernatural phenomena at the crucifixion, Jesus’ dignified manner of surrender, and the centurion’s own Roman military perspective culminated in a proclamation that continues to resonate and invite deep consideration of who Jesus is—as both the righteous One and the Son of God.