Matthew 27:51 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

NIV: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

NASB: And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

CSB: Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

NLT: At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,

KJV: And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

NKJV: Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Multiple dramatic events take place at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:50). The first mentioned by Matthew is that the curtain of the temple is ripped in half, notably said to happen "from top to bottom." This most likely refers to the inner curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:31–33). This separated the area where the high priest, only, could enter, and only once every year. That entry was to make a sacrifice for sin on behalf of the people. Anyone daring to enter God's presence there at any other time would surely die.

The curtain was huge: the height of a six-story building and half as wide, elaborately and thickly woven with seventy-two plaits of twenty-four threads each. This was not something easy to cut, let alone tear. For the curtain to be split in half was remarkable enough. Matthew specifies that this tearing happened from top to bottom. This could only have been done by God.

The meaning ought to have been clear to those religious leaders who saw it happen. Hebrews 9:11—10:22 explains in detail how Jesus' death on the cross made it possible for anyone to come to God through faith in Him. Those who come through Jesus can come boldly and without fear right into God's presence. The need for the Jewish sacrificial system that God had given to Israel was done. The perfect and final sacrifice for sin, Jesus Himself, had been made. In both a spiritual and literal sense, the barrier between men and God was removed—by God Himself.

At the same time the curtain was torn in two, earthquakes shook the ground and large rocks broke apart. It must have felt like the earth itself was responding to the death of Jesus.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus' friends, watch from a distance.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.