BIBLE DICTIONARY
Centurion

An office of the Roman army, in command of a century, or company of 100 men, forming one-sixtieth part of a Roman legion. In N.T. times the legions were not up to their full strength, and a century varied from 50 to 100 men. At least five centurions are mentioned in the N.T., of which perhaps the best known is Cornelius (Acts 10: 1-35). See also Matt. 8: 8-10; Matt. 27: 54; Mark 15: 39; Luke 7: 1-9; Luke 23: 47; Acts 27: 1; Acts 28: 16.