King James Version

What Does Mark 15:39 Mean?

Mark 15:39 in the King James Version says “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly th...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Mark 15:39 · KJV

Context

37

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

38

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

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.

40

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

41

(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse records the profound testimony of a Roman centurion who supervised Jesus' crucifixion. The phrase "when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw" emphasizes eyewitness testimony—this wasn't hearsay but direct observation. "That he so cried out, and gave up the ghost" refers to Jesus' final cry and death. What the centurion witnessed convinced him of Jesus' identity. His confession "Truly this man was the Son of God" (Ἀληθῶς οὗτος ὁ ἄνθρωπος υἱὸς θεοῦ ἦν, Alēthōs houtos ho anthrōpos huios theou ēn) is theologically stunning. This Gentile soldier, having overseen countless crucifixions, recognized something unique about Jesus' death. The word "truly" (alēthōs) indicates firm conviction, not speculation. "Son of God" may have meant different things to a Roman versus a Jew—Romans used this title for emperors and heroes—but Mark intends readers to understand it in its fullest sense: Jesus is truly God's divine Son. The irony is striking: Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus as blasphemer; Roman authorities crucified Him as insurrectionist; yet a pagan centurion confesses what Israel's leaders denied. This fulfills Mark's opening verse (1:1) and anticipates the gospel's spread to Gentiles. The centurion's confession demonstrates that the cross, intended as shame and defeat, actually reveals Jesus' true identity and accomplishes redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman centurions commanded units of approximately 80-100 soldiers and were career military professionals. This centurion had likely supervised numerous crucifixions and witnessed many deaths. What distinguished Jesus' death? Possibilities include: Jesus' prayer for His executioners (Luke 23:34), His care for His mother (John 19:26-27), the supernatural darkness (Mark 15:33), His cry of dereliction (v. 34), His voluntary yielding of His spirit ("gave up the ghost" suggests Jesus actively dismissed His spirit rather than passively dying), and the earthquake and temple veil tearing (Matthew 27:51-54). The centurion's confession occurs at a pivotal moment in Mark's narrative—immediately after Jesus' death, before the resurrection. Mark begins with the declaration "Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (1:1) and ends (before the resurrection) with a Gentile's confession of the same truth. This inclusion of a Roman soldier's testimony was significant for Mark's audience—likely Gentile Christians in Rome. It demonstrated that faith in Jesus transcends ethnic and religious boundaries. The early church saw this as prophetic—the Jews who should have recognized their Messiah rejected Him, while Gentiles who had no covenant relationship embraced Him (Romans 11:11-24). Church history records that tradition identified this centurion as Longinus, though this cannot be verified.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specifically about Jesus' death convinced the centurion of His divine identity, and what does this teach about how the cross reveals Christ's glory?
  2. How does the irony of a Gentile soldier confessing Jesus as God's Son while Jewish leaders rejected Him illustrate the gospel's reversal of human expectations?
  3. In what ways does the centurion's confession demonstrate that authentic faith can arise from unexpected sources?
  4. What does this verse teach about the cross as both apparent defeat and actual victory, shame and glory?
  5. How should the centurion's immediate confession after witnessing Jesus' death challenge delayed or reluctant responses to the gospel today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἰδὼν1 of 21

“saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

δὲ2 of 21

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὁ3 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κεντυρίων4 of 21

“when the centurion”

G2760

a centurion, i.e., captain of one hundred soldiers

ὁ5 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρεστηκὼς6 of 21

“stood”

G3936

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

ἐξ7 of 21

“over”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ἐναντίας8 of 21

“against”

G1727

opposite; figuratively, antagonistic

αὐτοῦ9 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι10 of 21

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὕτως11 of 21

“he so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

κράξας12 of 21

“cried out”

G2896

properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)

ἐξέπνευσεν13 of 21

“and gave up the ghost”

G1606

to expire

εἶπεν14 of 21

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἀληθῶς15 of 21

“Truly”

G230

truly

ὁ16 of 21

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος17 of 21

“man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

οὗτος18 of 21

“this”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

υἱὸς19 of 21

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

ἦν20 of 21

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

θεοῦ21 of 21

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 15:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 15:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:54Luke 23:47-48Matthew 27:43Mark 15:44-45Acts 27:1-3Matthew 8:5-10

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