The name of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side with a spear while He was on the cross is not given in the Bible. However, extra-biblical traditions have suggested various names for this soldier over the years, with “Longinus” being one of the most well-known.
The Gospel of John refers to this incident in John 19:31-34:
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. (John 19:31-34 ESV)
The spear thrust proved that Jesus was already dead. The blood and water were evidence that the spear had pierced Jesus’ heart, resulting in both blood and fluids around the heart pouring out. This detail emphasizes that Jesus was certainly dead and that the spear thrust was not what killed Him.
This Roman soldier, however, is not named in Scripture. Over the centuries, a number of traditions emerged suggesting possible names for him, including:
- Longinus – One of the earliest and most well-known names proposed. Some believe it may have derived from the Greek lonche (lance), the word for the spear used.
- Stephaton – A name suggested in the medieval Gospel of Nicodemus.
- Gaius Cassius – A name proposed in the Acta Pilati, an apocryphal Gospel account from the 4th century.
Longinus became the most frequently used name in art, literature and legend. An early legend described Longinus as having poor eyesight that was miraculously healed when some of Jesus’ blood got in his eyes. He was said to have converted to Christianity as a result.
The name Longinus seems to have first appeared around the 4th-5th century in church history. A forged Christian letter dated to the 3rd century allegedly written by Longinus started circulating, adding credibility to the name. The Acts of Pilate retelling of the crucifixion and resurrection also used the name Longinus and added more details to his story. His legendary sainthood and military service were expanded on more in the 11th century in the Gospel of Nicodemus.
So while Longinus is the most historically prominent name suggested for the Roman soldier, the Bible gives no names for any of the soldiers present at Jesus’ crucifixion. We don’t know if Longinus was really his name. But church tradition and legend have remembered him as Longinus for many centuries.
Details in the Gospels About the Crucifixion Soldier and Spear Incident
While the gospels do not name the soldier who pierced Jesus with the spear, they provide some key details about this incident that we can piece together. Looking at all 4 gospel accounts, we learn:
- The spear thrust occurred after Jesus had died on the cross (John 19:33)
- The soldier used a spear to pierce Jesus’ side, presumably His right side (John 19:34)
- Blood and water came out when Jesus’ side was pierced (John 19:34)
- The piercing took place after Jesus’ legs were not broken, fulfilling Scripture (John 19:32-33, 36)
- Those who had crucified Jesus, including the soldiers, saw the signs that took place when He died (Luke 23:47-49)
- The centurion and soldiers with him who witnessed the crucifixion said “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47)
Matthew’s gospel specifies that “the centurion and those who were with him” confessed Jesus as the Son of God after witnessing the events surrounding His death, including the spear piercing and other supernatural signs. While we don’t know if the soldier who pierced Jesus with the spear is included in this group confession, we do know the centurion and other soldiers were convinced by what they saw that Jesus was the Son of God.
These soldiers had overseen the crucifixion of Jesus and wanted to make sure the three being crucified died before the Sabbath began at sundown. When they came to Jesus and found Him already dead, they did not break His legs as they did with the two criminals crucified on either side of Him. The spear thrust into Jesus’ side confirmed His death.
Why Traditionally the Soldier Is Named Longinus
As mentioned, the earliest accounts naming the soldier Longinus emerged in the late 4th century AD, several centuries after the actual crucifixion. Here are some key sources that contributed to Longinus becoming the popular traditional name:
- The Acts of Pilate – A 4th century apocryphal text that incorporates accounts of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. It includes the name Longinus for the soldier who pierces Jesus.
- The Gospel of Nicodemus – An expanded version of the Acts of Pilate from the 5th century which gives more details about the life of Longinus.
- A Letter of Lentulus – A forged 3rd century letter, supposedly written by a Roman official named Lentulus, that describes Jesus and includes Longinus as the name of the soldier who pierced His side.
- The Golden Legend – A medieval collection of saints’ biographies that helped popularize and spread the story of Saint Longinus.
Here is a summary of the key Longinus details found in these extra-biblical texts:
- Longinus was a Roman soldier stationed in Judea at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
- He was nearly blind but was healed when blood from the piercing got in his eyes.
- Longinus believed Jesus was the Son of God after this miracle and began preaching about Jesus.
- Longinus was later martyred for converting to Christianity.
- He became known as Saint Longinus and his spear became a famed relic called the Holy Lance.
The legendary details expanded over time, converting Longinus into a saint and making the alleged spear itself an important relic. The town of Lanciano, Italy claims that Longinus was an ancestor of residents there. Several European churches have claimed to possess the Holy Lance relic over the centuries.
So while the Bible does not name Longinus, extra-biblical church tradition and legends over several centuries have led to him being the most commonly accepted name for the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side at the crucifixion.
Other Proposed Names for the Soldier in Scripture and Tradition
Longinus may be the best known traditional name, but it is not the only one put forth over history. Here are a few other names suggested in different texts and traditions:
- Stephaton – The Gospel of Nicodemus includes this name as an alternative name for the soldier.
- Gaius Cassius – The Acta Pilati lists this Roman name for the piercing soldier.
- Ananias – A Syrian legend names Ananias as the soldier healed by Jesus’ blood.
- Lanio and Longio – The 15th century Richental chronicles list two soldiers: Lanio pierced Jesus’ side, Longio offered the sponge of sour wine.
- The Centurion Petronius – An account by New Testament apocryphal writer Severus of Minorca.
Most of these alternative names come from extra-biblical texts written long after the gospels. The proliferation of different names points to the lack of any definitive historical record of the soldier’s actual name.
The closest hint in Scripture comes from Matthew 27:54 mentioning “the centurion and those who were with him.” Some propose that the centurion was the one who pierced Jesus with the spear. But his name remains unknown, as Scripture does not provide it.
What We Can Take Away About the Crucifixion Soldier Without Knowing His Name
While the Bible does not tell us the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side, we can still draw some meaningful conclusions about him and the impact of his actions:
- His actions fulfilled Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah, providing additional evidence that Jesus was the promised Christ. Specifically, the unbroken legs and pierced side fulfilled Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10.
- The soldier carried out his grim duty as part of the crucifixion process, but did not seem to act out of any animosity or cruelty toward Jesus.
- After seeing the way Jesus died and the supernatural events accompanying His death, this soldier came to believe Jesus was the Son of God.
- He is symbolic of the Roman soldiers who abused and mocked Jesus leading up to the crucifixion, yet still found themselves drawn to faith in Christ.
- Whether this soldier personally believed or not, his actions served God’s divine plan to redeem humankind through Jesus’ sacrificial death.
So while Scripture does not record the soldier’s name, his actions and witness of the crucifixion still give a small but important glimpse at God’s purposes being worked out in that pivotal moment in history. The Roman soldier contributed, in his own way, to the events that would provide salvation through Jesus.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible does not reveal the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side during the crucifixion. But church tradition over many centuries has suggested Longinus is the most likely name for this soldier. While Scripture gives no name, it provides key details about the piercing event and reveals that the centurion and soldiers present acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God after His death.
The fact that Jesus was already dead before His side was pierced shows that the spear thrust was not the cause of His death. His unbroken legs and pierced side fulfilled biblical prophecy about the Messiah. While the soldier’s name is unknown, his action served God’s greater plan of redemption and salvation through Christ.
So tradition identifies Longinus, but the Bible simply refers to this figure as “one of the soldiers” – an eyewitness to the crucifixion who contributed in some way to the unfolding of God’s redemptive work through Jesus, even if unaware at the time of the greater significance behind his simple action.