Devine Scripture

Luke 23:47

What does Luke 23:47 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:47 means

Seeing what has happened, the centurion glorifies God and declares, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” A Gentile soldier recognizes what many in Israel denied. The manner of Jesus’ death and the accompanying signs compel him to testify to His innocence. This confession adds yet another witness in Luke’s record: Pilate, Herod, the repentant criminal, and now a centurion—each in their way affirm that Jesus has done nothing wrong. The cross exposes the world’s injustice and reveals the righteousness of the One crucified. Even hardened men can be awakened to truth at Calvary’s sight.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the captain saw what was done, he gave praise to God, saying, Without doubt this was an upright man.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the centurion having seen what was done, did glorify God, saying, `Really this man was righteous;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now, the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now the centurion, seeing what took place, glorifiedGod, saying, In very deed this man was just.

Context

Immediately after Jesus’ death, Luke turns to the responses of those present. The centurion’s confession is the first, giving a Roman voice to the verdict of innocence. The next verse shows the crowds’ sorrowful departure, striking their chests in grief. Then Luke notes that Jesus’ acquaintances and the women who followed Him from Galilee watched from afar. These reactions set the stage for the dignified burial that follows, carried out by Joseph of Arimathæa.

v.46And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.

v.47This passage

v.48And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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 were afraid, and glorified God, who had given such authority unto men.

  • Mark 15:39

    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.

  • Matthew 27:54

    Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

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