King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:54 Mean?

Matthew 27:54 in the King James Version says “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 27:54 · KJV

Context

52

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

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.

55

And many women were there beholding afar off , which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

56

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Read Matthew 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The Roman centurion supervising the crucifixion witnessed supernatural events and declared faith. 'Saw the earthquake, and those things that were done' (ἰδόντες τὸν σεισμὸν καὶ τὰ γενόμενα/idontes ton seismon kai ta genomena)—darkness, earthquake, opened tombs, the manner of Jesus's death (His voluntary yielding of spirit, His loud cry despite physical weakness).

'They feared greatly' (ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα/ephobēthēsan sphodra)—intense fear, awe before divine power. This wasn't mere superstition but recognition of God's presence. 'Truly this was the Son of God' (Ἀληθῶς θεοῦ υἱὸς ἦν οὗτος/Alēthōs theou hyios ēn houtos)—remarkable confession from a pagan soldier.

Whether this was saving faith or mere acknowledgment is debated. Early tradition (some church fathers) held the centurion (named Longinus in tradition) became a Christian. At minimum, it shows God's power to open even hardened hearts—a Roman soldier trained to kill, who had crucified many, saw in Jesus's death something transcendent and confessed His divine sonship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Centurions were professional soldiers, commanding 80-100 men, tough and experienced. This man had likely supervised numerous crucifixions. Yet Jesus's death was unique—the darkness, earthquake, His bearing, His words ('Father, forgive them,' 'It is finished'). These signs convinced even a pagan soldier of Christ's deity.

This fulfills Jesus's words: 'I, if I be lifted up... will draw all men unto me' (John 12:32). The cross that appeared as weakness became the magnet drawing even Gentile soldiers to faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does a pagan Roman centurion confessing Jesus as 'Son of God' demonstrate the gospel's power to save even the most unlikely people?
  2. What specific evidences convinced the centurion—how can we point others to similar evidence of Christ's deity and saving work?
  3. What does it mean that supernatural signs (earthquake, darkness) accompanied the cross—how do these validate Christ's atoning death?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
Ὁ1 of 24
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 24

“Now”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἑκατόνταρχος3 of 24

“when the centurion”

G1543

the captain of one hundred men

καὶ4 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ5 of 24
G3588

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

μετ'6 of 24

“they that were with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

αὐτοῦ7 of 24

“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

τηροῦντες8 of 24

“watching”

G5083

to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892

τὸν9 of 24
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦν10 of 24

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἰδόντες11 of 24

“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

τὸν12 of 24
G3588

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

σεισμὸν13 of 24

“the earthquake”

G4578

a commotion, i.e., (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake

καὶ14 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ15 of 24
G3588

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

γενόμενα16 of 24

“those things that were done”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐφοβήθησαν17 of 24

“they feared”

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

σφόδρα18 of 24

“greatly”

G4970

of uncertain derivation) as adverb; vehemently, i.e., in a high degree, much

λέγοντες19 of 24

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἀληθῶς20 of 24

“Truly”

G230

truly

θεοῦ21 of 24

“of God”

G2316

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

υἱὸς22 of 24

“the Son”

G5207

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

ἦν23 of 24

“was”

G2258

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

οὗτος24 of 24

“this”

G3778

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 27:54 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 Matthew 27:54 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:36Mark 15:39Matthew 27:43Luke 23:47-49Romans 1:4Acts 27:1

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