Mark 15:39

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when the centurion {G2760}, which {G3588} stood {G3936} over {G1537} against {G1727} him {G846}, saw {G1492} that {G3754} he so {G3779} cried out {G2896}, and gave up the ghost {G1606}, he said {G2036}, Truly {G230} this {G3778} man {G444} was {G2258} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw the way he gave up his spirit, he said, "This man really was a son of God!"

Berean Standard Bible

When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 15:39 captures the profound confession of a Roman centurion at the foot of the cross, who, witnessing the manner of Jesus' death—His final, powerful cry and voluntary surrender of His spirit—declares Him to be "Truly this man was the Son of God." This unexpected affirmation from a Gentile military officer stands as a climactic revelation of Jesus' divine identity at the very moment of His apparent defeat and foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the climactic moments of Jesus' crucifixion. The preceding verses detail the intense suffering of Christ, the supernatural darkness that enveloped the land from the sixth to the ninth hour ([Mark 15:33](/mark/15-33 "Mark 15:33 - Darkness at Noon")), and Jesus' final, loud cry before His death ([Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus' Final Cry")). Crucially, Mark highlights the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death ([Mark 15:38](/mark/15-38 "Mark 15:38 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")), a profound symbolic act signifying the opening of direct access to God through Christ's sacrifice. The centurion's confession, therefore, is not an isolated event but the culmination of a series of dramatic, divinely orchestrated signs surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crucifixion was a brutal Roman method of execution designed for maximum suffering and public humiliation, typically reserved for slaves, rebels, and the lowest classes. Roman centurions were seasoned professional soldiers, non-commissioned officers commanding around 100 men, known for their discipline, pragmatism, and often, their callousness in carrying out orders. They were accustomed to death and suffering. For such a man, a Gentile steeped in Roman polytheism and emperor worship, to declare a crucified Jew as "Son of God" was extraordinary and culturally subversive. The term "Son of God" in the Roman world might refer to a deified emperor or a divine hero, but in the Jewish context, it carried profound messianic and unique divine implications. The centurion's position "over against him" suggests he had a clear, unobstructed view of Jesus' entire ordeal, including His final moments.
* **Key Themes:** Mark's Gospel consistently explores the theme of Jesus' **divine identity**, often presented with a sense of **messianic secret** where Jesus repeatedly silences those who recognize Him or His disciples misunderstand His mission. It is profoundly ironic that this secret is finally unveiled not by a disciple or a religious leader, but by a pagan Roman soldier at the very nadir of Jesus' earthly ministry—His death. The centurion's confession also underscores the theme of **God's universal salvation**, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant people, a truth central to the early Christian movement. Furthermore, the manner of Jesus' death—His powerful cry and voluntary surrender of His spirit—highlights the **sovereignty of Christ's sacrifice**, contrasting with the typical agonizing death of a crucified criminal and demonstrating His authority even over death, a theme echoed in [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb (G1492) signifies not merely a physical observation but often implies a deeper comprehension or perception. The centurion "saw" not just the physical act of Jesus dying, but he perceived something profound about the *manner* of His death—the loud cry and the way He expired—leading to a revelatory understanding.
* **cried out (Greek, _krázō'_):** The verb (G2896) means to "scream" or "call aloud." In this context, it refers to Jesus' final, powerful cry just before His death. This was not a cry of weakness or despair, but one of strength and authority, as noted in [Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus' Final Cry"). This loud, authoritative cry, distinct from the typical weakened gasps of a dying man on a cross, was a significant factor in the centurion's perception.
* **gave up the ghost (Greek, _ekpnéō'_):** This phrase (G1606) literally means "to breathe out" or "to expire." While it simply denotes death, in the context of Jesus' powerful cry just before, it implies a voluntary surrender of life rather than a forced expiration due to physical exhaustion. This voluntary aspect of His death is a crucial theological point, suggesting Jesus' control over His own life and death, as opposed to being merely a victim.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the centurion, which stood over against him":** This sets the scene, emphasizing the centurion's direct, unhindered vantage point. He was not merely present but positioned to observe every detail of Jesus' final moments. His role as a Roman officer overseeing the execution underscores the historical reality and the unexpected nature of his confession.
* **"saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost":** This clause describes the specific actions of Jesus that prompted the centurion's declaration. The "so cried out" refers to the loud, powerful cry of Jesus mentioned in [Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus' Final Cry"), which was unusual for a crucified person. Coupled with the act of "giving up the ghost," which implies a deliberate surrender of life, these observations distinguished Jesus' death from that of an ordinary criminal.
* **"he said, Truly this man was the Son of God":** This is the climactic confession. The adverb "Truly" (G230, _alēthōs'_) emphasizes the sincerity and certainty of his declaration. For a Roman centurion, a Gentile, to acknowledge Jesus as "the Son of God" is profoundly significant. It is the first human confession of Jesus' divine Sonship in Mark's Gospel *after* His death, contrasting sharply with the earlier denials and misunderstandings from others.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several powerful literary devices in this verse. There is profound **Irony** in that the first clear, public confession of Jesus' divine Sonship comes not from a disciple, a religious leader, or a Jew, but from a pagan Roman soldier—the very representative of the empire that executed Jesus. This highlights the unexpected ways in which God's truth is revealed. The scene also serves as a **Dramatic Climax** to Mark's narrative, where the identity of Jesus, often shrouded in the messianic secret, is finally unveiled at the moment of His greatest humiliation and apparent weakness. The centurion's confession also carries **Symbolism**, as a Gentile acknowledging Jesus' divine nature foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel and the inclusion of all nations into God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The centurion's confession in Mark 15:39 is a theological linchpin, confirming Jesus' divine identity at the cross, the very epicenter of God's redemptive plan. It demonstrates that the power of God, far from being negated by the crucifixion, is paradoxically revealed through it. The extraordinary manner of Jesus' death—His final, powerful cry and the voluntary surrender of His spirit—was not merely a physical expiration but a sovereign act that unveiled His true nature to an unexpected witness. This confession, coming from a Gentile, powerfully underscores the universal reach of God's salvation, breaking down the barriers between Jew and Gentile and signaling that the new covenant in Christ is for all humanity. It is a testament to the fact that even in the darkest hour, God's truth shines brightest, capable of transforming the hardest of hearts.

* [Matthew 27:54](/matthew/27-54 "Matthew 27:54 - The Centurion's Confession in Matthew")
* [Luke 23:47](/luke/23-47 "Luke 23:47 - The Centurion's Confession in Luke")
* [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The centurion's confession in Mark 15:39 serves as a profound challenge and invitation for contemporary believers. It reminds us that authentic faith can emerge from the most unexpected places and circumstances, often in response to the raw, unadorned truth of Christ's suffering and sacrifice. His declaration, prompted by observing Jesus' unique death, compels us to look beyond superficial appearances and to truly grasp the depth of who Jesus is—not just a historical figure, but the very Son of God. This passage calls us to consider our own response to the cross: do we, like the centurion, perceive the divine glory in Christ's ultimate act of love, or do we remain hardened? It encourages us to allow the reality of Christ's sacrifice to penetrate our hearts, transforming our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world. Furthermore, it reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or previous beliefs, to bear witness to His truth, prompting us to share the Gospel with boldness and compassion, trusting in the Spirit's power to open eyes and hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What aspects of Jesus' life, death, or resurrection most powerfully reveal His divine identity to you?**
* **How does the centurion's unexpected confession challenge your assumptions about who God can use to declare His truth?**
* **In what ways does the "power of the cross" (as seen by the centurion) manifest in your own life or in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why is the centurion's confession so significant in Mark's Gospel?**

Answer: The centurion's confession is highly significant for several reasons. First, it marks the first explicit human declaration of Jesus' divine Sonship *after* His death in Mark's Gospel, serving as a dramatic climax to the narrative. Throughout Mark, Jesus' identity as the Son of God is often presented as a "messianic secret," with demons silenced and disciples misunderstanding. For this truth to be unveiled by a pagan Roman soldier, a representative of the Gentile world and the very empire that executed Jesus, is profoundly ironic and powerful. It underscores that Jesus' divine identity is undeniable even in His apparent weakness and defeat on the cross, and it foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel, extending salvation beyond Israel to all nations, as seen in passages like [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius").

**What does "gave up the ghost" imply about Jesus' death?**

Answer: The phrase "gave up the ghost" (Greek: _ekpnéō'_) literally means "breathed out" or "expired." However, in the context of Mark 15:39 and other Gospel accounts, it carries a deeper theological implication. Coupled with Jesus' "loud cry" just before His death ([Mark 15:37](/mark/15-37 "Mark 15:37 - Jesus' Final Cry")), it suggests that Jesus' death was not a forced expiration due to physical exhaustion or a prolonged struggle, but rather a voluntary surrender of His life. This aligns with Jesus' own words in [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Voluntarily"), where He states, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again." This highlights Jesus' sovereignty even in death, emphasizing His active role in His own sacrifice rather than being a passive victim.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The centurion's confession, "Truly this man was the Son of God," at the foot of the cross in [Mark 15:39](/mark/15-39 "Mark 15:39 - The Centurion's Confession") serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing the ultimate purpose of Jesus' life and death. This declaration, coming from a Gentile, foreshadows the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile through Christ's sacrifice, a central theme in the New Testament, as articulated by Paul in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"). The centurion's recognition of Jesus' divine Sonship at the moment of His deepest humiliation underscores that the cross is not merely a symbol of suffering, but the very place where God's ultimate power and love are most fully displayed, leading to salvation for all who believe, Jew or Gentile ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - Power of the Gospel")). Jesus' voluntary surrender of His spirit, observed by the centurion, is the ultimate act of obedience to the Father's will, securing atonement for sin and opening the way to God, a truth powerfully declared in [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Blood for Eternal Redemption"). Thus, this pivotal moment at the cross confirms Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and the universal Savior, whose death brings life and reconciliation to all who confess Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession of Faith")).

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

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 23:47

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

Luke 23:48

And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Matthew 27:43

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Matthew 8:5

¶ And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

Matthew 8:10

When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mark 15:44

And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling [unto him] the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.