Luke 23:47

KJV

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when the centurion {G1543} saw {G1492} what was done {G1096}, he glorified {G1392} God {G2316}, saying {G3004}, Certainly {G3689} this {G3778} was {G2258} a righteous {G1342} man {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the Roman officer saw what had happened, he began to praise God and said, “Surely this man was innocent!”

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:47 captures the profound moment immediately following Jesus' death on the cross, as a Roman centurion, witnessing the extraordinary cosmic events and Jesus' final breath, glorifies God and declares Jesus to be a righteous man. This unexpected confession from a pagan military officer, representing the very authority that condemned Jesus, serves as a powerful, unbiased testimony to Jesus' innocence and unique identity, underscoring the universal impact of His crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 23:47 immediately follows the climactic moment of Jesus' death on the cross. The preceding verses detail the supernatural darkness that covered the land from noon until three in the afternoon, the dramatic tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom, and Jesus' final, trusting cry, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" ([Luke 23:44-46](/luke/23-44-46 "Luke 23:44-46 - Jesus' Death and the Cosmic Signs")). These awe-inspiring phenomena, especially the cosmic darkness and the rending of the veil (symbolizing direct access to God), are presented as divine attestations to the significance of the one who was dying. The centurion's reaction is the immediate human response to these divine signs, validating their profound meaning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The centurion was a professional Roman military officer, typically commanding around 80-100 men, known for their discipline, courage, and loyalty to Rome. Their duty included overseeing executions, which were often brutal public spectacles designed to deter rebellion. For a Roman centurion, a pagan accustomed to polytheism and Roman imperial cults, to "glorify God" and declare a crucified Jew "righteous" was an extraordinary and counter-cultural act. This confession occurs at the site of a Roman execution, where Jesus was condemned as a political insurgent, making the centurion's testimony particularly compelling as it comes from an unexpected, authoritative, and non-Jewish source.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. It highlights the **Divine Witness and Revelation**, showing that God's truth is revealed not only to His chosen people but also to Gentiles, even those seemingly opposed to Him. The centurion's confession underscores **Jesus' Innocence and Righteousness**, echoing Pilate's repeated declarations of Jesus' blamelessness ([Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent"), [Luke 23:14](/luke/23-14 "Luke 23:14 - Pilate Finds No Guilt"), [Luke 23:22](/luke/23-22 "Luke 23:22 - Pilate's Final Verdict")). Furthermore, the centurion's act of "glorifying God" introduces the theme of **Universal Response to Christ**, foreshadowing the Gentile inclusion into God's plan of salvation, a theme prominent throughout the book of Acts, also authored by Luke.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Centurion (Greek, _hekatontárchēs'_):** Derived from "one hundred" and "to rule," this term denotes a Roman military officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. In this context, the centurion represents Roman authority and paganism, making his confession particularly significant as an impartial, even hostile, witness to Jesus' character and the divine power at work. His professional detachment and experience with death make his conviction all the more striking.
* **Glorified (Greek, _doxázō'_):** This verb means to render or esteem glorious, to honor, or to magnify. When applied to God, it signifies acknowledging His majesty, power, and truth. For a pagan centurion to "glorify God" (specifically, the God of Israel, given the context of Jesus' death) indicates a profound moment of spiritual recognition, awe, and perhaps even worship, in response to the overwhelming signs accompanying Jesus' crucifixion.
* **Righteous (Greek, _díkaios'_):** From the root meaning "equitable," this adjective describes someone who is innocent, just, holy, or conforming to divine law. While it can mean "innocent" in a legal sense, in the biblical context, especially when linked to glorifying God in response to supernatural events, it carries deeper theological weight. Here, it implies not merely legal blamelessness but moral and spiritual uprightness, perhaps even hinting at Jesus' unique divine nature, as seen in Matthew's parallel account where the centurion declares Him "the Son of God."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when the centurion saw what was done":** The Greek particle "Now" (_dé_) serves as a transition, linking the centurion's reaction directly to the preceding events. "What was done" (_gínomai_) refers not just to Jesus' physical death, but specifically to the cosmic phenomena (darkness, torn veil) and Jesus' manner of death (His final cry, His composure). The centurion's "seeing" (_eídō_) implies not just physical observation but also comprehension and realization of the profound significance of these occurrences. He was a professional, hardened by many executions, yet these events compelled his attention and conviction.
* **"he glorified God":** This is a remarkable and unexpected response from a Roman pagan. To "glorify God" (_doxázō_) means to acknowledge God's power, majesty, and truth. This act suggests that the centurion recognized the divine hand behind the extraordinary events, attributing them to a higher power, likely the God of Jesus, rather than mere coincidence or natural phenomena. It signifies a moment of spiritual awakening or conviction in the face of overwhelming evidence.
* **"saying, Certainly this was a righteous man":** The centurion's declaration, introduced by "saying" (_légō_), is a direct and emphatic confession. "Certainly" (_óntōs_) emphasizes the truth and reality of his conviction. His statement that Jesus "was a righteous man" (_díkaios ánthrōpos_) stands in stark contrast to the accusations of blasphemy and sedition leveled against Jesus by the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities. This declaration, from the very person overseeing the execution, serves as an ultimate vindication of Jesus' character and innocence, affirming His blamelessness even in the eyes of His executioner.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several powerful **Literary Devices** in this verse. There is profound **Irony** in the fact that it is a Roman centurion, a representative of the oppressive empire and a pagan, who recognizes and declares Jesus' righteousness, while the religious leaders and the Jewish crowd largely reject Him. This highlights the theme of God revealing Himself to the unexpected and the humble. The centurion's confession also serves as **Foreshadowing** of the universal scope of the Gospel, indicating that salvation would extend beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles. Furthermore, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the centurion's response of glorifying God and the earlier mockery and rejection of Jesus by others at the cross, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus' death even on hardened hearts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The centurion's confession in Luke 23:47 is a pivotal theological moment, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work even in the darkest hour of human sin and suffering. It underscores the universal nature of Christ's redemptive work, showing that the truth of Jesus' identity and the power of His sacrifice transcend cultural, religious, and national boundaries. The centurion, a Gentile, becomes an unexpected witness to Jesus' righteousness, signifying that God's revelation is not limited to those within the covenant, but extends to all humanity. This event serves as a powerful vindication of Jesus, not just from human accusations, but as a divine affirmation of His blameless character and unique relationship with God, even in death. It reminds us that God can use anyone, even those seemingly opposed to Him, to bear witness to His truth and glory.

* [Matthew 27:54](/matthew/27-54 "Matthew 27:54 - The Centurion's Confession")
* [Mark 15:39](/mark/15-39 "Mark 15:39 - The Centurion's Confession")
* [Romans 1:18-20](/romans/1-18-20 "Romans 1:18-20 - God's Revelation to All Humanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The centurion's dramatic confession at the foot of the cross offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to cultivate a heart open to divine revelation, recognizing that God's truth can manifest in unexpected circumstances and through surprising individuals. Just as the centurion, a hardened soldier, was moved to glorify God by the cosmic signs and Jesus' demeanor, we too are called to respond with awe and conviction when God reveals Himself through His Word, His creation, or the testimonies of others. This passage reminds us that the power of Christ's sacrifice is transformative, capable of piercing through skepticism and prejudice to elicit a confession of His righteousness. It calls us to examine our own hearts: are we quick to acknowledge God's hand in our lives and in the world around us, even when it challenges our preconceived notions? Do we, like the centurion, respond with glorification and affirmation of Jesus' blamelessness, allowing His sacrifice to shape our understanding of God's justice and love?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the centurion's unexpected confession reveal about the universal reach of God's truth?**
* **How does the centurion's declaration of Jesus as a "righteous man" challenge or affirm your own understanding of Jesus' identity?**
* **In what ways might God be revealing His truth to you through unexpected people or circumstances in your life?**
* **How can you, like the centurion, respond by "glorifying God" in your daily life when confronted with His power or truth?**

### FAQ
**Why is the centurion's confession so significant in Luke's account?**

Answer: The centurion's confession is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, he is a Roman, a Gentile, and an agent of the very empire that condemned Jesus, making his testimony an unbiased and authoritative witness from an unexpected source. Secondly, his declaration comes immediately after extraordinary cosmic events (darkness, torn veil) and Jesus' final, composed breath, indicating that these signs had a profound impact on him. His statement "Certainly this was a righteous man" ([Luke 23:47](/luke/23-47 "Luke 23:47 - The Centurion's Confession")) serves as a powerful vindication of Jesus' innocence, echoing Pilate's repeated declarations of no guilt and contrasting sharply with the crowd's demand for His crucifixion. It also foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel, demonstrating that God's truth and salvation are for all people, not just the Jews.

**What does the centurion mean by calling Jesus a "righteous man"?**

Answer: While the term "righteous" (_díkaios_) can mean "innocent" in a legal sense, in this context, especially given the centurion's response of "glorifying God," it carries a deeper theological meaning. It implies not just legal blamelessness, but moral and spiritual uprightness, conformity to divine will, and perhaps even a unique divine quality. Luke emphasizes Jesus' perfect righteousness throughout his Gospel, and the centurion's statement affirms this. Matthew's parallel account ([Matthew 27:54](/matthew/27-54 "Matthew 27:54 - The Centurion's Confession")) records the centurion saying, "Truly this was the Son of God," suggesting that Luke's "righteous man" may carry a similar, if not identical, profound theological weight, acknowledging Jesus' unique relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The centurion's confession in Luke 23:47, "Certainly this was a righteous man," stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, testifying to Jesus' perfect life and sacrificial death as the ultimate act of righteousness. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly submitted to an unrighteous condemnation, yet even in His death, His divine nature and blameless character shone through, compelling a pagan officer to acknowledge His unique purity. This moment foreshadows the universal impact of the Gospel, demonstrating that Christ's atoning work extends beyond the confines of Israel, drawing all peoples to Himself. The centurion's declaration, especially when viewed alongside Matthew's "Truly this was the Son of God" ([Matthew 27:54](/matthew/27-54 "Matthew 27:54 - The Centurion's Confession")), underscores the truth that Jesus is indeed the Suffering Servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), "cut off from the land of the living" yet bearing the sins of many. His righteousness, imputed to believers, becomes the foundation of our salvation ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The centurion, a Gentile, becomes a firstfruits of the harvest of souls from every nation, testifying to Christ as the one through whom "everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" ([Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Acts 10:43 - Forgiveness Through Christ")). Thus, even in His final earthly moments, Jesus' life and death were a powerful testament to His identity as the righteous Savior, drawing all humanity towards God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 15:39

And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Matthew 27:54

Now when the centurion, and they that 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.

Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Matthew 9:8

But when the multitudes saw [it], they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

John 19:7

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.