Luke 23:47

47 Now ¹when the centurion saw what had taken place, ²he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!"

Luke 23:47 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 23:47

Now when the centurion saw what was done
The eclipse of the sun, the darkness upon the land, the earthquake, the rocks rent, and Jesus expire in so uncommon a manner:

he glorified God;
by confessing that Christ was the Son of God, and declaring him an innocent person:

saying, certainly, this was a righteous man;
clear of the charges exhibited against him, and has suffered wrongfully; and this he concluded from those unusual appearances, and which he considered as tokens of divine resentment.

Luke 23:47 In-Context

45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.

47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!"

48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39
• 2. See Luke 7:16