Luke 23:47

‘And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.” '

The centurion in charge of the execution squad was deeply impressed. The previous signs had filled him with awe. They had drawn from him the cry, ‘Truly this was the son of God'. But this more specific commitment of Himself to God indicated to him Jesus' uniqueness among men. Possibly he even felt a little ashamed of his earlier cry. So he covered himself by declaring, well at least He was a righteous man. The idea behind his statement is that only a righteous man could have such a relationship with the divine, or could receive such favour. The words also indicated to Luke's readers that even His executioner had found Him to be without fault.

Luke lays great stress on the innocence of Jesus He emphasised that Pilate declared Him innocent three times (Luke 23:4; Luke 23:14; Luke 23:22). He noted Herod's testimony to Jesus' innocence (Luke 23:15). He contrasted Jesus' innocence with the guilt of Barabbas (Luke 23:25). He recorded the thief's testimony to Jesus' innocence (Luke 23:41). And he finally here emphasises the centurion's declaration of His innocence. Thus we have a sevenfold declaration of His innocence.