Matthew 27:51

Analysis & Commentary

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. At Jesus's death, supernatural signs manifested God's response. 'Behold' (ἰδού/idou) calls attention to the extraordinary events. These were not coincidental natural phenomena but divine validation of Christ's atoning death.

'The veil of the temple was rent' (τὸ καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ ἐσχίσθη/to katapetasma tou naou eschisthē)—the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn. This was no ordinary curtain but a massive, thick veil that human hands could not easily tear. Josephus describes the veil as hand-breadth thick (about 4 inches), woven of fine linen, 60 feet high. Its tearing required supernatural power.

'From the top to the bottom' (ἀπ' ἄνωθεν ἕως κάτω/ap' anōthen heōs katō)—crucial detail showing God tore it from heaven downward, not humans from earth upward. This demonstrated divine action, not human vandalism. The direction symbolizes God initiating access to His presence from His side, not our efforts earning access from our side.

The theological significance is profound: the veil represented the barrier between holy God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest could pass through it, once yearly on the Day of Atonement, with blood sacrifice (Leviticus 16). The veil's tearing signified that Christ's death opened the way into God's presence for all believers (Hebrews 10:19-20). No more need for human priests, animal sacrifices, or annual rituals—Jesus has provided permanent, perfect access to God.

'The earth did quake, and the rocks rent' (ἡ γῆ ἐσείσθη καὶ αἱ πέτραι ἐσχίσθησαν/hē gē eseisthē kai hai petrai eschisthēsan)—creation responded to its Creator's death. These signs echo Sinai's earthquake when God gave the Law (Exodus 19:18). If Sinai quaked at God giving the Law, how much more should earth quake when God fulfills it through His Son's atoning death?

Historical Context

The Jerusalem temple, built by Herod the Great (begun 20 BC), was one of antiquity's architectural marvels. The veil hung in front of the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), which contained only the stone tablets of the covenant (the Ark having been lost during the Babylonian captivity). Only the high priest entered once yearly on Yom Kippur to sprinkle blood for atonement.

The veil's tearing would have occurred in the priests' presence—it was about 3 PM, the time of the evening sacrifice. Priests witnessing this supernatural event would have been terrified. Some early Christians may have included priests who converted after witnessing such signs (Acts 6:7: 'a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith').

Josephus records numerous ominous signs preceding Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70—doors opening spontaneously, supernatural lights, voices declaring God's departure from the temple. The veil's tearing in AD 30 was the first sign that the old covenant temple system was ending. Indeed, forty years later, the temple would be destroyed, making animal sacrifice impossible and vindicating Christ's perfect, final sacrifice.

The earthquake and rock-splitting recall prophetic imagery of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:10, Nahum 1:5-6). Creation itself testified that its Creator had died and that this death accomplished cosmic significance—nothing less than redemption for a fallen world.

Questions for Reflection

• How does the veil's tearing from top to bottom (God's initiative, not ours) illustrate the doctrine of grace—that God opens access to Himself through Christ's work, not our efforts?
• What does the timing of the veil's tearing (at Jesus's death, not resurrection) teach us about the cross being the actual moment when atonement was accomplished?
• How should the reality that we now have bold access to God's presence (Hebrews 10:19) through the torn veil affect our prayer life and confidence in approaching God?