In Matthew 26-27 we have the Lord Jesus Christ presented as both the Son of God and the King of the Jews. He was not put to death for any false witness. God would not allow that. His enemies could not agree anyway. But God would have the truth brought out about Him who is the truth (John 14:6). It is noteworthy that it is the Jews who ask Jesus: “Tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Our blessed Lord Jesus responded, “Thou hast said” (ch. 26:63-68). That is, He acknowledged the truth, and for this they condemned Him to death. They spit in His face, struck Him and despitefully used Him, mocking Him all the while.
When standing before the Roman governor, Pilate asked Him, “Art Thou the King of the Jews?... Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest” (ch. 27:11). Again the blessed Saviour acknowledges that Pilate had spoken the truth as to His Person. The mockery of the Gentiles was based on this: “Hail, King of the Jews!” (vs. 29). Then the mocking of the Jewish priests, scribes and elders was, “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God” (vs. 43). Neither group truly recognized who He was or they would not have acted as they did (1 Cor. 2:8).
“Now when the centurion... watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, [he] feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (vs. 54). What a refreshing example of faith exhibited in this Gentile soldier! He did not use the title, “King of the Jews,” but expressed the truth of the Lord Jesus’ Godhead glory: “the Son of God.”
What brought forth this wonderful confession from the Centurion? “Those things that were done.” This included hearing all that the blessed Lord said from the cross words uttered without a trace of bitterness or complaint: “Father, forgive them.... Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.... My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?... Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” What grace! What love! What beautiful submission! The centurion had witnessed the hours of darkness, the loud cry of victory just before He died all these things and their testimony was accepted by him in faith, for his eternal blessing.
T. Roach