What were the centurions words at the cross? Isn't there a conflict? Matthew 27:54 and Luke 23:47
Matthew 27:54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"There is no discrepancy. The centurion probably made both statements. As Hendriksen & Kistemaker state regarding Luke 23, this probably means that he glorified God by acknowledging the righteousness of Jesus. Matt. 27:54 and Mark 15:39 state that he said, "Surely, he (this man) was God's Son." Undoubtedly he said both, proclaiming Jesus to be both God's Son and a righteous man.Luke 23:47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."
Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr., D.D., M.Div. is the Theological Editor at Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill).