Devine Scripture

Mark 15:39

What does Mark 15:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:39 means

The centurion, a Roman officer standing opposite Jesus, beholds how Jesus dies and declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” His statement is remarkable: a Gentile officer recognizes Jesus’ identity in the moment of death. This confession reflects awe and perhaps wonder at the manner of Jesus’ death, possibly combined with the signs (darkness, veil torn). It signals an outsider’s insight into Jesus’ divine sonship and adds weight to the notion that Jesus’ identity is vindicated by how he dies.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the captain, who was near, saw how he gave up his spirit, he said, Truly this man was a son of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the centurion who was standing over-against him, having seen that, having so cried out, he yielded the spirit, said, `Truly this man was Son of God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost. said: Indeed this man was the son of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the centurion who stood by over against him, when he saw that he had expired having thus cried out, said, Truly this man was Son ofGod.

Context

This reaction comes right after the veil’s tearing and the report of Jesus’ death. The centurion’s confession provides an external confirmation of Jesus’ identity, contrasting with Jewish leaders’ mockery. It points forward to the gospel’s mission to the Gentiles and underscores that even a Roman recognizes what many religious leaders denied.

v.38And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.

v.39This passage

v.40And there were also women beholding from afar: among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 27:43

    He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am 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.

  • Matthew 8:5

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

  • 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.

  • Acts 27:1

    And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

  • Acts 27:43

    But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;

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