Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 27:54

"Now the centurion, and they that 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." — Matthew 27:54 (ASV)

“Son of God” is one of several major Christological titles in Matthew. But it is not certain what exactly the soldiers meant by “Son of God” (see comment on Mk 15:39). The darkness, the earthquake, and the cry of dereliction convinced the soldiers that this was no ordinary execution. The portents terrified them and probably led them to believe that these things testified to heaven’s wrath at the perpetration of such a crime, in which the soldiers had participated. But this confession tells Matthew’s readers that Jesus as the promised Messiah and unique Son of God is seen most clearly in his passion and death.