‘Certainly This Man Was Righteous’ Highlighting A Messianic Reading Of The Centurion’s Confession In Luke 23:47 -- By: Matthew C. Easter

Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 63:1 (NA 2012)
Article: ‘Certainly This Man Was Righteous’ Highlighting A Messianic Reading Of The Centurion’s Confession In Luke 23:47
Author: Matthew C. Easter


‘Certainly This Man Was Righteous’
Highlighting A Messianic Reading Of The Centurion’s Confession In Luke 23:47

Matthew C. Easter

Summary

This essay expands on common readings of the centurion’s confession of Jesus as δίκαιος (‘righteous’, ‘innocent’) in Luke 23:47. Many interpreters take the centurion’s words in Luke as his recognition of Jesus’ political innocence. While not denying a Lukan insistence on Jesus’ innocence, this essay argues for a fuller reading of the centurion’s words that accounts for the christological potential in his calling Jesus δίκαιος. Whether historically-speaking he knew it or not, this centurion in Luke’s narrative world stands as one of the first people to recognise the crucified Jesus as the Christ.

1. Introduction

Matthew, Mark, and Luke follow a similar passion narrative. All three depict Jesus as one who had been betrayed by a member of his own following; all three show Peter deny Jesus three times; all three portray Jesus crucified between two criminals; and so on. However, among other differences, each evangelist has a different account of the centurion’s reaction to Jesus’ death.

Mark has a solitary centurion standing in front of the cross who upon seeing how Jesus breathed his last breath said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God’.1 Matthew’s centurion says the same thing (minus ἄνθρωπος), but in Matthew’s account a group of people make this confession.

Matthew 27:54

Mark 15:39

Luke 23:47

ὁ δὲ ἑκατόνταρχος καὶ οἱ μετ’ αὐτοῦ τηροῦντες τὸν᾿Ιησοῦν

ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ κεντυρίων

ἰδὼν δὲ ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης

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