The man was evidently the officer who was in charge of the execution squad. Throughout the grim ordeal of crucifixion (a method of capital punishment the Romans regarded with distaste and horror, as Cicero tells us), he was impressed by all that had taken place before his eyes and ears. He couldn’t understand (Mark tells the reader) the darkness (v. 33), the demeanor of the crucified and his expiring cry (v. 39), and perhaps the message of the inscription fixed