Luke 23:47

47 When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man. ^[a]”

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 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

46 Then 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.

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

48 And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.

49 But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or an innocent man