Who was this man?

['67Scofield]

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
And the veil of the temple was rent into two pieces from the top to the bottom.
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 15:37-39

And why did he say that Jesus truly was the Son of God?

[Willy]

Could he be the Centurion of Matthew 8:5?

What this Roman Centurion was permitted to witness will be the talk of eternity.

It is developed more fully in Matthew and Luke.

Matthew 27:36 … And sitting down they watched … HIM … THERE;

We should do the same. It puts the world into correct perspective. :cross:

['67Scofield]

Could he be the Centurion of Matthew 8:5?
I would have to say very unlikely.

What this Roman Centurion was permitted to witness will be the talk of eternity.It is developed more fully in Matthew and Luke.

Matthew 27:36 … And sitting down they watched … HIM … THERE

I believe these men were just kicking back to watch watch the show. (Jesus dying)
They had front row seats. But they saw more than what they were expecting.

This centurian was at Jesus' beating I would think from these verses.

16And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
19And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing [their] knees worshipped him.
20And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
Mark 15:16, 19, 20

He was in charge of this execution. He showed Jesus little pity.
What did he see that he hadn't seen before?
Did the sudden darkness or the earthquake convince him?

[InTheWind]

Did the sudden darkness or the earthquake convince him?


That and the tombs opening and those in them coming out and walkling about, that would surly convince me there was something more to the story. :nod:

[CoreIssue]

Some historical documenation helps here.

When Christ was ready to die it became so black that in neighboring countries they have found records saying it was as if God himself had died.

So who the Centurion was really does not matter. The circumstances of Christ's death were supernatural in nature.

['67Scofield]

Some historical documenation helps here.

When Christ was ready to die it became so black that in neighboring countries they have found records saying it was as if God himself had died.

cool note

So who the Centurion was really does not matter.
I said the same thing to myself yesterday.
But why he said Jesus truly was the Son of God matters to me quite a bit.
Core, what exactly did he mean by this phrase?
I saw this after posting.
It is doubtful whether any English translation can adequately represent the qualitative emphasis that Mark expresses in 15,39 by placing an anarthrous predicate before the verb. Perhaps the verse could best be translated, ‘Truly this man was God’s son’. This has the advantage of calling attention to Jesus’ role or nature as son of God. It minimizes the question whether the word ‘son’ should be understood as definite or indefinite. At the same time it leaves open the possibility that Mark was thinking of Jesus at this point as ‘a’ son of God


I'm trying to put myself in his shoes.
What was life like for a centurion? anyone familiar with this?
What would this soilder have seen in his life before seeing Jesus die?
What made this execution of three prisoners different?
What did he see or hear or feel that made Jesus' death different?


The circumstances of Christ's death were supernatural in nature.
:bringit: elaborate

I'd really appreciate you guys' input. I'm trying to put together a monologue for an Easter skit. Our peacher brought a Roman helmet last Wed. night and it gave me the idea. I'm wanting the monologue to take place in the centurion's dwelling that night. I think Jesus' death and the impact it had on this soilder makes a compelling recount and unique perspective.
I don't think the centurion's statement means he was converted at the time he said it (altho maybe it does), I want toy with the idea that he wrestled with it that night.
There's nothing new under the sun, so has anyone seen or read anything dealing with this?

[Willy]

Christ and the Cross
From A Centurion’s Perspective

Chaplain Shannon K. Philio
Osan Air Base Chapel, Republic of South Korea - 1 April 2001


http://www.crivoice.org/centurion.html

[CoreIssue]

[quote]So who the Centurion was really does not matter.
I said the same thing to myself yesterday.
But why he said Jesus truly was the Son of God matters to me quite a bit.
Core, what exactly did he mean by this phrase?
lets look at what we know:
1. The Centurion was stationed in the area, so he knew what was going on locally.
2. Therefore he knew what Christ claimed and was claimed about him on all sides.
3. He was aware of the how and why Pilate condemned him.
4. He probably saw Christ in action while he preached or similar.
5. He surely became aware of the OT prophecies about him, out of curiosity if for no other reason.

Now, with that known when he saw all surrounding Christ's death I believe he simply put all the knowns together and reached a logical conclusion that Christ was who he was claimed to be.
I saw this after posting.
It is doubtful whether any English translation can adequately represent the qualitative emphasis that Mark expresses in 15,39 by placing an anarthrous predicate before the verb. Perhaps the verse could best be translated, ‘Truly this man was God’s son’. This has the advantage of calling attention to Jesus’ role or nature as son of God. It minimizes the question whether the word ‘son’ should be understood as definite or indefinite. At the same time it leaves open the possibility that Mark was thinking of Jesus at this point as ‘a’ son of God
Hmmm. I have to disagree with this argument.

I am God's son by adoption. So just being God's son is not an exclusive term.

But 'the' son of God is. It is singular in content and exclusive to Christ.

You don't see 'the' apllied to saints, only Christ. Exclusive position versus inclusive position.

I'm trying to put myself in his shoes.
What was life like for a centurion? anyone familiar with this?

Very busy.

Study the history or a Roman soldier during this time period.
What would this soilder have seen in his life before seeing Jesus die?
War, rebellion, unstablity within Rome, fracturing of the legions and so forth.
What made this execution of three prisoners different?
The events around it.

At that time there were many claiming to be gods, prophets from gods, criminals and such. Death by crucifixion was a tool of Rome.
What did he see or hear or feel that made Jesus' death different?
Who and what people sided with Christ, what he said and did, the supernatural events around his death and similar.

[quote]The circumstances of Christ's death were supernatural in nature.
:bringit: elaborate

The healing of the ear cut off in the Garden, the prophetic declaration he would die, the OT prophecies, such as the 69th Week of Daniel about him, the unnatural darkness and other do not happen phenomena and the history of his birth and events with Harod.

I'd really appreciate you guys' input. I'm trying to put together a monologue for an Easter skit. Our peacher brought a Roman helmet last Wed. night and it gave me the idea. I'm wanting the monologue to take place in the centurion's dwelling that night. I think Jesus' death and the impact it had on this soilder makes a compelling recount and unique perspective.

Agree.
I don't think the centurion's statement means he was converted at the time he said it (altho maybe it does), I want toy with the idea that he wrestled with it that night.
There's nothing new under the sun, so has anyone seen or read anything dealing with this?
The Centurion during and after? No, sorry.

And you are right. I know people who state the Bible is 100% right and that Christ is God, but they will bow to no one.

['67Scofield]

Christ and the Cross
From A Centurion’s Perspective

Chaplain Shannon K. Philio
Osan Air Base Chapel, Republic of South Korea - 1 April 2001


http://www.crivoice.org/centurion.html

Thanks Willy.
I thought it was pretty good. I thought it was cool it was written by a soilder. I believe Shannon erred about the number of men in a century. I used to think it was a 100, but I think I heard that there were actually 80 men in a Roman century. I'm going to do a little research to find out these things. The most important thing I got out of it was the fact that this centurion would have seen Jesus a least a couple of times before, and because of the political turmoil surrounding Jesus, would have made himself aquainted with Jesus, his teachings, and followers.
He was in charge of keeping the peace at ground level. I imagine him as, in today's terms, a captain of a police district. He had informants, he would have collected intel. I imagine he would have known quite a bit about Jesus.
Most of what I have seen (in TV/movies) depicts Roman officers as uninformed brutes that only come out when there's someone to whip. I'm sure this is very sterotypical.

He was there at Jesus' beating, wasn't he? = regretful tone =
The reason that's important to me is because that's not just doing your job. They mocked Him, they were having fun.
But maybe that was this band of brothers' job. Maybe they were doing what was expected of them, and the easiest way thru it was to have fun with it. I'm sure there was peer pressure involved. They were expected to be cruel at this point.
Or perhaps violence was simply a way of life for them. I'm sure many of them enjoyed taking any frustrations they had, out on Jesus.
Probably, like most things it was some of both.

[Willy]

[quote=Willy;29203]Christ and the Cross
From A Centurion’s Perspective

Chaplain Shannon K. Philio
Osan Air Base Chapel, Republic of South Korea - 1 April 2001


http://www.crivoice.org/centurion.html

I thought it was pretty good. I thought it was cool it was written by a soilder. Me too, ...just sort of stumbled onto the link.

I believe Shannon erred about the number of men in a century. I used to think it was a 100, but I think I heard that there were actually 80 men in a Roman century.Yes, I read that too.

I'm going to do a little research to find out these things. The most important thing I got out of it was the fact that this centurion would have seen Jesus a least a couple of times before, and because of the political turmoil surrounding Jesus, would have made himself aquainted with Jesus, his teachings, and followers.Also look at the other centurions in the NT.

Luke 7 ... He built a Synagogue and had more faith than anyone in Israel according to the Lord Jesus.

Also for other centurions ...

Acts 10 .... Cornelius.

Acts 22,27,28



He was in charge of keeping the peace at ground level. I imagine him as, in today's terms, a captain of a police district. He had informants, he would have collected intel. I imagine he would have known quite a bit about Jesus. I agree. Also, ... he may have talked to other centurions.

Most of what I have seen (in TV/movies) depicts Roman officers as uninformed brutes that only come out when there's someone to whip. I'm sure this is very sterotypical.Looking a the global situation today, I'm not sure we are any different. We might have even given up some ground. ... I agree about the stereotype.

He was there at Jesus' beating, wasn't he? = regretful tone =Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. ... the whole cohort. He was probably there.

The reason that's important to me is because that's not just doing your job. They mocked Him, they were having fun.
But maybe that was this band of brothers' job. Maybe they were doing what was expected of them, and the easiest way thru it was to have fun with it. I'm sure there was peer pressure involved. They were expected to be cruel at this point.
Or perhaps violence was simply a way of life for them. I'm sure many of them enjoyed taking any frustrations they had, out on Jesus.
Probably, like most things it was some of both.The "whole cohort" could have been upwards of 600 soldiers.

Luke 4: 5-7 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.

John 8:44 ...Ye are of your father the devil ...

John 13:27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him.(Judas) Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."

John 14:30 I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

.... a combination of mans evil heart and the hatred satan has for the Lord Jesus.

['67Scofield]

1 Contubernium = 8 Men (in a tent)
10 Contubernia = 1 Century = 80 Men
2 Centuries = 1 Maniple = 160 Men
6 Centuries = 1 Cohort = 480 Men
10 Cohorts + 120 Horsemen =1 Legion = 5240 Men *

*1 Legion = 9 normal cohorts (9 x 480 Men) + 1 "First Cohort" of 5 centuries (but each century at the strength of a maniple, so 5 x 160 Men) + 120 Horsemen = 5240 Men


The most remarkable aspect of the centurionate though must be that they were not normally discharged but died in service. Thus, to a centurion the army was truly his life.

http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html


Centurio Hastatus Posterior -sixth in command of a cohort
Centurio Princeps Posterior -fourth in command of a cohort
Centurio Pilus Posterior -second in command of a cohort
Centurio Hastatus Prior -fifth in command of a cohort
Centurio Princeps Prior -third in command of a cohort
Centurio Pilus Prior -first in command of a cohort

Does the Scripture specify what rank of centurion he was?

[Willy]

Centurion: 1 Strong's Number: 1543 Greek: hekatontarchos
"a centurion," denotes a military officer commanding from 50 to 100 men, according to
the size of the legion of which it was a part (hekaton, "a hundred," archo, "to rule"), e.g.,. Mat 8:5,6

Centurion: 2 Strong's Number: 1543 Greek: hekatontarches
has the same meaning as No. 1, e.g., Acts 10:1,22 The Sept. has this word frequently, to denote "captains of hundreds."

Centurion: 3 Strong's Number: 2760 Greek: kenturion
is a Greek transliteration of the Latin centurio, signifying practically the same as No. 1, Mar 15:39,44,45. There were ten "centurions" to a cohort when the numbers were complete. There were several at Jerusalem under the chief captain mentioned in Acts 21:31

Easton bible dictionary mentions that the Centurions were picked not for their brute strength, but rather for their strength of mind. :news:

They were on horseback unlike the common soldier.

[Willy]

1 Contubernium = 8 Men (in a tent)
10 Contubernia = 1 Century = 80 Men
2 Centuries = 1 Maniple = 160 Men
6 Centuries = 1 Cohort = 480 Men
10 Cohorts + 120 Horsemen =1 Legion = 5240 Men *

*1 Legion = 9 normal cohorts (9 x 480 Men) + 1 "First Cohort" of 5 centuries (but each century at the strength of a maniple, so 5 x 160 Men) + 120 Horsemen = 5240 Men


The most remarkable aspect of the centurionate though must be that they were not normally discharged but died in service. Thus, to a centurion the army was truly his life.http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html


Centurio Hastatus Posterior -sixth in command of a cohort
Centurio Princeps Posterior -fourth in command of a cohort
Centurio Pilus Posterior -second in command of a cohort
Centurio Hastatus Prior -fifth in command of a cohort
Centurio Princeps Prior -third in command of a cohort
Centurio Pilus Prior -first in command of a cohort

Does the Scripture specify what rank of centurion he was?

Nothing to indicate rank. ... that I can see ..