Mark 15:38 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

NIV: The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

NASB: And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

CSB: Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

NLT: And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

KJV: And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

NKJV: Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

"Torn" is from the Greek root word schizo. The only other time it is used in the book of Mark is right after Jesus' baptism when the heavens tear open and the Spirit descends on Him like a dove (Mark 1:10). "And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased'" (Mark 1:11).

The temple consists of a series of rooms, each more exclusive than the last. Inside the eastern doors is the Court of Women. Up several steps is the Court of Israel which surrounds the Court of the Priests and the temple proper. On the east of the Court of the Priests is the altar. Up more steps is a porch, and then the Holy Place. Inside the Holy Place is the lampstand, the table for the shewbread, and the incense altar.

On the west side of the Holy Place is a thick curtain guarding the Holy of Holies. Originally, this was the chamber of the ark of the covenant. The curtain had an image of cherubim woven into its blue, purple, and scarlet yarns (Exodus 26:31). Josephus says the veil in Herod's temple is eighty feet high and tradition says it is four inches thick.

By this time, the ark of the covenant has been lost. The last time it is mentioned in Israel's story is in 2 Chronicles 35:1–6 when King Josiah orders it returned to the temple. Only a few decades separate Josiah's order from the exile into Babylon. We still don't know what happened to the ark.

The veil, both symbolically and literally, separated the sinful people from the presence of God. Only the high priest could go through the veil to the ark and only once a year to atone for the sins of the Israelites (Leviticus 16:2–3; Hebrews 9:7). With the death of Jesus, the veil is no longer needed (Hebrews 10:19–20). The destruction of the veil destroys the purpose of the temple (John 2:19). In three days, Jesus will be resurrected, and the "new temple," the church, will receive its foundation. Those who trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins have no need of a priest to perform ceremonies and sacrifices. Jesus is our high priest (Hebrews 2:17; 4:14) and our sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 10:12), and by His work we can approach God directly (Hebrews 4:14–16).

Mark 15:33–41 is a raw and stark account of Jesus' death. Jesus feels separated from God and abandoned by His friends. The land is covered by darkness. The earth shakes and the tombs open (Matthew 27:52–53). Only too late does the centurion get a glimpse of what he and his men have done. Even the women who supported Jesus during His ministry have moved farther away. But when Jesus breaths His last, the temple veil tears, marking the possibility of our reconciliation with God. Jesus' death is also recorded in Matthew 27:45–56, Luke 23:44–49, and John 19:28–37.

After sham trials, Jesus is taken to the local Roman governor, Pilate. This is the only person in Jerusalem with the legal authority to have Jesus executed. Pilate is not fooled, and he attempts to arrange for Jesus' release. But the ruler's ploys fail, in part because Jesus will not defend Himself, and partly because the mob is intent on His death. Pilate offers a prisoner exchange in Barabbas, and even has Jesus brutally beaten in order to pacify the crowd. Eventually, he caves in and Jesus is crucified. Thanks to His prior abuse, Jesus survives only a few hours on the cross before dying. Jesus is then buried in a tomb belonging to a secret follower among the Jerusalem council.

After being unfairly judged, Jesus will now be unfairly sentenced and cruelly murdered. It's reasonable to say this chapter provides context for everything else contained in the Bible. From Adam and Eve until the last baby born in the millennial kingdom, every person other than Christ is stained with sin. Conscience, law, Jesus' direct leadership, even the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cannot keep us from sinning. Sinless Jesus had to die on the cross, sacrificing Himself in our place, so our sins could be forgiven and we could be reconciled to God. Beneath the violence, darkness, dishonor, and death is the love of God for all mankind (John 3:16). Jesus' crucifixion is also found in Matthew 27, Luke 23, and John 19. The next chapter describes the miracle of His resurrection.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.