Matthew 27:54

54 Now when the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:54 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:54

Now, when the centurion
That was over the band of soldiers, that mocked Christ in Pilate's hall, and who was particularly over the guard of soldiers, set about the cross of Christ:

and they that were with him, watching Jesus:
the soldiers that were with him, who were set to watch the cross of Christ, lest he should come down, or any should take him down from thence; (See Gill on Matthew 27:36).

Saw the earthquake, and those things that were done;
as besides that, the darkening of the sun, the rending of the rocks, and particularly heard with what a loud voice Christ spoke, and then at once expired:

they feared greatly;
not with a true godly fear, but with a fear of punishment; lest divine vengeance should light on them, for their concern in this matter:

saying, truly this was the Son of God;
which they concluded, not from any mediatorial performances, which they were utter strangers to, but from effects of divine power; and which to them showed him to be a divine person, what he said he was, and the Jews charged him with blasphemy, on account of, and condemned him for, as these soldiers might have seen and heard.

Matthew 27:54 In-Context

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who slept arose,

53 and came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the Holy City and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly, this was the Son of God!"

55 And many women were there beholding afar off, who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him,

56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's children.