Matthew 27:54
Matthew 27:54 | |
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← 27:55 → | |
Book | Gospel of Matthew |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 27:54 is the fifty-fourth
Content
The original
- ο δε εκατονταρχος και οι μετ αυτου τηρουντες τον ιησουν ιδοντες τον σεισμον
- και τα γινομενα εφοβηθησαν σφοδρα λεγοντες αληθως θεου υιος ην ουτος
In the King James Version of the Bible it is translated as:
- 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 modern World English Bible translates the passage as:
- Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus,
- when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done,
- feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God."
For a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 27:54
Analysis
This verse is based on
The soldiers were early mentioned as keeping watch over the crucifixion at
There are alternate understandings of this verse, beyond the conversion of the gentiles to Christianity. One alternative is that this is a cry of defeat rather than of conversion. The evil gentiles are overcome and defeated rather than won over. The verse might not thus represent the opening up of the mission to non-Jews.[2] The Roman soldiers were pagans, which can also imply a different understanding of the title "Son of God." The original Greek does not contain an article, so this verse can be read equally as referring to "the Son of God" or "a Son of God."[5] In Roman mythology gods frequently interacted with the world and had many semi-divine children. Thus the soldiers might not be understanding Jesus in the modern Christian sense, but in a Roman religious sense.[2]
"Son of god," or divi filius, was also one of the standard titles used by the Roman emperors. A title that would have been well known by the original readers of the gospel. Thus this verse can also be read as an attack on the cult of the emperor, and thus on the Empire itself. The phrasing in this verse corresponds more closely to official Roman usage than do most of the proclamations of Jesus' divine origins elsewhere in Matthew.[2]
References
- ^ Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. pg. 578
- ^ a b c d e France 2007, p. 1084.
- ^ France 2007, p. 1083.
- ^ France 2007, p. 1085.
- ^ Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
Bibliography
- ISBN 9780802825018.
Preceded by Matthew 27:53 |
Gospel of Matthew Chapter 27 |
Succeeded by Matthew 27:55
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