Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:54

What does Matthew 27:54 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:54 means

The centurion and those guarding Jesus are terrified by the earthquake and the supernatural events and declare, ‘Truly this was the Son of God.’ This confession from a Roman officer is striking: a Gentile servant of imperial power recognizes Jesus’ divine identity. Their fear is awe-filled reverence, acknowledging that these extraordinary signs reveal a reality beyond their understanding. The centurion’s testimony marks a human admission of Jesus’ true nature at the moment of his death, countering the earlier mockery and providing a witness to the gospel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the captain and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earth-shock and the things which were done, were in great fear and said, Truly this was a son of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the centurion, and those with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were exceedingly afraid, saying, `Truly this was God's Son.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But the centurion, and they who were with him on guard over Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things that took place, feared greatly, saying, Truly this [man] was Son ofGod.

Context

This verse follows the miraculous signs and the saints’ rising (vv. 51–53). It provides human response to cosmic events: a confession of Jesus’ identity by a Roman centurion. The scene contrasts with the leaders’ rejection and sets the stage for the compassionate actions of the women who had followed Jesus (vv. 55–56).

v.53and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.

v.54This passage

v.55And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 27:40

    and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

  • Acts 10:1

    Nowthere wasa certain man in Cæsarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

  • John 19:7

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

  • 2 Kings 1:13

    And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

  • Romans 1:4

    who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,

  • Matthew 8:5

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

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