Luke 23:47 – “The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.'”

Extended Explanation

This verse occurs right after Jesus’ death on the cross. A Roman centurion, a military officer who commanded about 100 soldiers, witnesses the events of the crucifixion—the darkness that covered the land, the tearing of the temple curtain, and Jesus’ final words. He responds not with mockery or indifference, but with a declaration of Jesus’ innocence and righteousness. His words, “Surely this was a righteous man,” are significant because they come from someone outside the Jewish faith. His recognition of Jesus’ innocence points to the universal nature of Jesus’ mission—He didn’t die just for the Jewish people but for all humanity.

The centurion’s response also reflects a moment of spiritual awakening. As a Roman soldier, he would have been familiar with death and crucifixion, but something about this execution was different. The supernatural signs surrounding Jesus’ death, combined with the way Jesus conducted Himself, lead the centurion to praise God and acknowledge that Jesus was no ordinary man.

Historical Context

The Roman centurion was likely a seasoned officer who had witnessed many crucifixions before. Crucifixion was a common form of Roman execution, designed to publicly humiliate and punish criminals, rebels, and enemies of the state. For someone in the centurion’s position, it would have been easy to view Jesus as just another condemned man. However, the events surrounding Jesus’ death were anything but ordinary.

At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, many Jewish religious leaders had rejected Him as the Messiah and mocked Him as He died. But here we see a Gentile—someone who wasn’t part of the Jewish religious system—recognizing the truth about Jesus. This foreshadows the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to the Gentile world, as seen in the early church (Acts 10).

The centurion’s declaration may have been influenced by the various supernatural events he witnessed, including the darkness (Luke 23:44-45) and Jesus’ final cry of trust in God (Luke 23:46). His statement reflects awe and reverence, as he praises God for what he has just seen.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights several important theological truths:

1. Jesus’ Innocence and Righteousness: The centurion’s statement affirms what the Gospel writers emphasize—Jesus was without sin and did not deserve death. His death was not for His own wrongdoing but for the sins of others (2 Corinthians 5:21).
2. The Universal Reach of the Gospel: The fact that a Roman centurion, a Gentile, recognizes Jesus’ righteousness points to the inclusive nature of salvation. Jesus’ death wasn’t just for the Jewish people; it was for the whole world (John 3:16).
3. Divine Revelation: The centurion’s recognition of Jesus as a righteous man shows that God reveals truth even to those who are outside the religious establishment. His reaction demonstrates that God’s grace can reach anyone, regardless of their background or past.
4. Praise in the Face of Judgment: The centurion praises God after witnessing Jesus’ death, suggesting that even in moments of apparent tragedy, God’s purposes are being fulfilled. This reminds believers that God can bring redemption and hope out of suffering.

Literary Analysis

Luke’s inclusion of the centurion’s response serves as a literary contrast to the mocking of Jesus by the religious leaders and soldiers earlier in the narrative (Luke 23:35-37). While many of the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, a Gentile outsider recognizes His righteousness. This reversal is a common theme in Luke’s Gospel, which often highlights how God’s grace is extended to the marginalized, the Gentiles, and the unexpected.

The centurion’s praise of God is significant because it shows that Jesus’ death is not a defeat—it leads to worship and the acknowledgment of God’s plan. Luke’s use of the centurion’s statement underscores the idea that Jesus’ crucifixion was not an accident but part of God’s redemptive plan.

The statement “Surely this was a righteous man” also echoes Old Testament descriptions of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, who is described as innocent yet bearing the sins of others. Luke’s choice to highlight this statement further emphasizes Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of these prophecies.

Biblical Cross-References

• Isaiah 53:9 – The suffering servant is described as innocent: “He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”
• Matthew 27:54 – The parallel account, where the centurion also declares, “Surely he was the Son of God.”
• Mark 15:39 – The centurion says, “Surely this man was the Son of God,” reflecting his recognition of Jesus’ divine nature.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 – Jesus, who had no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.
• Acts 10:34-35 – Peter acknowledges that God does not show favoritism but accepts those from every nation who fear Him.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians, this verse is a reminder that Jesus’ righteousness is central to the Gospel. Because He was sinless, His death was able to provide the perfect sacrifice for sin. Believers can take comfort in knowing that their salvation is secure because of the righteousness of Christ.

The centurion’s response also challenges Christians to recognize Jesus’ work in their own lives and respond with worship and praise. Just as the centurion praised God after witnessing Jesus’ death, believers are called to live lives of gratitude, acknowledging the magnitude of what Jesus has done for them.

Additionally, this verse highlights the importance of sharing the Gospel with all people. The fact that a Roman centurion recognized Jesus’ righteousness shows that God’s message of salvation is for everyone. Christians are called to carry this message to those who may be outside the faith, trusting that God can reveal His truth to anyone.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is demonstrated in the fact that Jesus, the righteous and innocent one, willingly gave His life for sinners. The centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ righteousness points to the depth of God’s love—He sent His sinless Son to die in the place of the guilty so that they could be forgiven.

God’s love is also seen in His willingness to reveal the truth of Jesus to those who might seem unlikely to believe. The centurion was a Roman soldier, part of the system that crucified Jesus, yet God’s grace reached him. This shows that God’s love knows no boundaries and is extended to all who are willing to receive it.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse highlights Jesus as the righteous Savior whose death was part of God’s redemptive plan. The centurion’s declaration aligns with the biblical teaching that Jesus was without sin and perfectly obedient to the Father’s will. His death was not for His own sins but for the sins of the world (1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus’ death also connects to His role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the suffering servant. The centurion’s recognition of His righteousness echoes the message of Isaiah 53, where the servant is described as innocent yet bearing the punishment for others.

• 1 Peter 2:22-24 – Jesus committed no sin, but He bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.
• Romans 5:8 – God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus was tempted in every way but did not sin, making Him the perfect High Priest.
• Acts 13:38-39 – Through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is justified.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does the centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ righteousness teach you about the impact of Jesus’ death?
2. How can you respond to Jesus’ sacrifice with the same kind of praise and reverence shown by the centurion?
3. What does this verse reveal about God’s ability to reach people from all backgrounds, even those outside the faith?
4. How does Jesus’ innocence and righteousness give you confidence in the sufficiency of His sacrifice for your sins?
5. How can you share the message of salvation with others, trusting that God can reveal Himself to anyone, just as He did to the centurion?