Luke 23:47

47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "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, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last.

47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent."

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

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

Footnotes

• [a]. Or [righteous]