Jesus' Death on the Cross: Darkness and the Temple Rent
The crucifixion of Jesus is described in the Gospels with several accompanying phenomena, notably a period of darkness and the tearing of the temple veil [1]. The Gospel of Luke records that "the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst" [1]. This darkness occurred from the sixth to the ninth hour, or from noon until 3 PM [2].
The tearing of the temple veil is a significant detail. This veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the Jerusalem Temple [7]. The Most Holy Place was considered the dwelling place of God's presence, and only the High Priest could enter it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement [7]. The veil was described as thick and elaborately woven [7]. Its tearing "from the top to the bottom" is interpreted by some as signifying that the way to God's presence was now opened [7].
The act of tearing clothes was a common sign of grief, horror, or mourning in ancient Near Eastern cultures [3, 4]. For example, Jacob "rent his clothes" upon believing his son Joseph was dead [4]. Similarly, the High Priest Caiaphas tore his clothes when he accused Jesus of blasphemy [3]. However, the tearing of the temple veil is distinct, as it is presented as a divine act rather than a human expression of emotion.
The Temple itself was a central institution in Jewish life, with various courts and areas, including the Court of the Gentiles where commercial activities related to sacrifices took place [5]. The concept of a "shelter" or "tabernacle" (Greek: skēnē) was also significant in Jewish tradition, referring to Israel's portable temple in the wilderness and the temporary dwellings used during the Festival of Shelters [6]. The rending of the temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death thus carries profound theological implications regarding access to God and the fulfillment of the sacrificial system.
Sources
- Luke “Luke 23:45 (Webster) — And the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst.”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 23:45: The sun was darkened - See an examination of the accounts of Phlegon, Thallus, and Dionysius, on Mat 27:45 (note). The veil - was rent - See Mat 27:51.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 36:22: clothes rent--in grief and horror at the blasphemy (Mat 26:65). Next: Isaiah Chapter 37”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 37:34: Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins--the common signs of Oriental mourning. A rent is made in the skirt more or less long according to the afflicted feelings of the mourner, and a coarse rough piece of black sackcloth or camel's hair cloth is wound round the waist.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 11:15: 11:15-19 The largest part of the Temple in Jerusalem was the Court of the Gentiles, surrounded by covered porticoes. It was here that this selling probably took place. 11:15-16 When they arrived back: Upon entering the Temple, Jesus was intensely disturbed by the buying and selling of sacrificial animals and by the exchange of money. It was supervised by priests, who alone could certify that a potential sacrificial offering was acceptable. The practice of selling sacrificial animals was meant to ensure that only blemish-free animals were used in the service of the ”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:33: 9:33 Let’s make three shelters as memorials: The Greek word translated shelter (skēnē) is the same word used in the Greek Old Testament to refer to the Tabernacle, Israel’s portable temple in the wilderness, and for the portable shelters Jews lived in during the Festival of Shelters (Lev 23:42; Neh 8:14-17). Peter might have wanted to prolong the event by giving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah a place to stay.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 27:51: SIGNS AND CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE LORD JESUS--HE IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS, AND BURIED--THE SEPULCHRE IS GUARDED. ( = Mar 15:38-47; Luk 23:47-56; Joh 19:31-42). (Mat. 27:51-66) And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom--This was the thick and gorgeously wrought veil which was hung between the "holy place" and the "holiest of all," shutting out all access to the presence of God as manifested "from above the mercy seat and from between the cherubim"--"the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the w”