Luke 23:45

KJV

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the sun {G2246} was darkened {G4654}, and {G2532} the veil {G2665} of the temple {G3485} was rent {G4977} in the midst {G3319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the sun did not shine. Also the parokhet in the Temple was split down the middle.

Berean Standard Bible

The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

American Standard Version

the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:45 records two profound supernatural phenomena that accompanied the death of Jesus Christ on the cross: the darkening of the sun and the tearing of the temple veil. These events, occurring simultaneously with Jesus' final moments, were not coincidental but divinely orchestrated signs, signaling the cosmic significance of Christ's atoning sacrifice, the judgment of God upon sin, and the radical inauguration of a new era of direct access to God for humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 23:45 immediately follows the account of the supernatural darkness that enveloped the land from noon until three in the afternoon, as described in [Luke 23:44](/luke/23-44 "Luke 23:44 - Darkness Over the Land"). This verse sets the stage for Jesus' final cry and subsequent death, detailed in [Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus' Final Cry and Death"), and the centurion's confession of Jesus' innocence and divine nature in [Luke 23:47](/luke/23-47 "Luke 23:47 - The Centurion's Confession"). Luke's narrative, consistent with Matthew and Mark, places these cosmic disturbances at the climax of the crucifixion, emphasizing the profound spiritual and cosmic implications of Jesus' death. These events serve as divine commentary, underscoring the gravity and redemptive power of the cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Luke 23:45](/luke/23-45 "Luke 23:45 - Sun Darkened, Veil Torn") occurred during the Passover festival, a time when Jerusalem would have been bustling with pilgrims. Passover always falls during a full moon, making a natural solar eclipse impossible, thus highlighting the supernatural nature of the sun's darkening. The "temple" refers to Herod's Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship and sacrifice. The "veil" was a massive, thick curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), where God's presence was believed to dwell. Only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement ([Yom Kippur](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation. This veil symbolized the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, mediated by the Levitical system.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **divine judgment and sorrow**, as the darkness signifies God's displeasure with sin and the profound cosmic grief over the suffering of His Son. More significantly, it highlights the theme of **new access to God**. The tearing of the veil dramatically symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, signifying that through Christ's sacrifice, a new and living way has been opened for all believers to approach God directly. This act also points to the **fulfillment of the Old Covenant** and the **inauguration of the New Covenant**, where the need for animal sacrifices and a mediating priesthood is superseded by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as elaborated in the book of [Hebrews](/hebrews/9 "Hebrews 9 - Christ's Sacrifice and the New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **darkened (Greek, _skotízō'_):** From G4654, meaning "to obscure (literally or figuratively)." This word emphasizes that the sun's light was supernaturally diminished or blotted out, not by a natural phenomenon like an eclipse, but by a divine act. It conveys a sense of foreboding, judgment, and the profound spiritual reality unfolding.
* **veil (Greek, _katapétasma'_):** From G2665, referring specifically to "the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple." This is not merely any curtain but the thick, imposing barrier that guarded the very presence of God in the Holy of Holies. Its specific identification underscores the theological weight of its tearing.
* **rent (Greek, _schízō'_):** From G4977, meaning "to split or sever (literally or figuratively)." The use of this verb indicates a violent, complete, and decisive tearing. The implication, especially when considering parallel accounts (e.g., [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Veil Torn")), is that it was torn from top to bottom, signifying a divine, rather than human, act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sun was darkened":** This clause describes a cosmic event, a supernatural obscuring of the sun's light. Occurring from noon to 3 PM (Luke 23:44), it was not a natural eclipse (as Passover occurs during a full moon). This darkness served as a divine sign, echoing Old Testament prophecies of a "day of the Lord" marked by darkness ([Amos 8:9](/amos/8-9 "Amos 8:9 - The Sun Will Set at Noon")), symbolizing God's judgment upon sin, the profound sorrow of creation, and the gravity of the atoning work being accomplished by Christ. It shrouded the earth in a physical manifestation of the spiritual darkness of sin being borne by Jesus.
* **"and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst":** This clause describes a pivotal event within the Jerusalem Temple. The "veil" was the massive curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the earthly dwelling place of God's presence. Its tearing "in the midst" (implying from top to bottom, as clarified in [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Veil Torn")) signifies a divinely initiated act. This act powerfully symbolizes the removal of the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity. Through Christ's sacrificial death, the way into God's presence, previously restricted, was now opened to all who believe, rendering the old covenant system of animal sacrifices and priestly mediation obsolete.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's concise report in [Luke 23:45](/luke/23-45 "Luke 23:45 - Sun Darkened, Veil Torn") employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the darkened sun symbolizing divine judgment, cosmic grief, and the profound spiritual darkness of sin being atoned for. The tearing of the veil is even richer in its **Symbolism**, representing the abolition of the old covenant's separation and the inauguration of a new, direct access to God through Christ. The events themselves function as **Divine Portents** or **Miracles**, supernatural occurrences that validate Jesus' identity and the divine significance of His crucifixion. Their timing, simultaneous with Jesus' death, creates a powerful **Juxtaposition** between the physical suffering of Christ and the cosmic and spiritual upheaval it causes, underscoring the universal impact of His atoning work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:45 communicates profound theological truths, primarily centered on the radical shift in humanity's relationship with God brought about by Christ's death. The tearing of the temple veil signifies the immediate and complete removal of the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity. This act declares that the old covenant system, with its temple rituals, animal sacrifices, and mediating priesthood, has been fulfilled and rendered obsolete by the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, a new and living way into the very presence of God has been opened, allowing believers to approach God directly, with confidence and without fear. The cosmic darkness, alongside the torn veil, serves as God's own dramatic declaration of the immense spiritual weight and redemptive power of His Son's sacrifice, confirming Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and the ultimate Lamb of God.

* [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through the Veil")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace")
* [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Veil Torn")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The events of Luke 23:45 are not merely historical footnotes but profound declarations of God's redemptive work that have immediate and lasting implications for every believer. The darkening of the sun reminds us of the immense gravity of sin and the divine judgment it incurs, a judgment that Jesus bore on our behalf. The tearing of the veil, however, is a triumphant declaration of grace: the barrier is gone! We no longer need intermediaries, elaborate rituals, or annual sacrifices to approach God. Through Christ, the way is open. This truth should fill us with immense gratitude, confidence, and a profound sense of privilege. We are invited to draw near to God's throne of grace with boldness, knowing that our access is secured by the blood of Jesus. This freedom, however, also calls us to live lives of holy reverence, recognizing the immense cost of our redemption and the sacredness of the relationship we now enjoy with our Creator. It challenges us to fully embrace this direct access in our prayer, worship, and daily walk, living as those who truly dwell in the presence of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the tearing of the veil impact your personal prayer life and your understanding of worship today?**
* **What does the darkness at the crucifixion reveal to you about the seriousness of sin and the depth of God's love in providing a solution?**
* **In what practical ways can you live out the reality of direct access to God through Christ in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Was the darkness mentioned in Luke 23:45 a natural solar eclipse?**

Answer: No, the darkness described in [Luke 23:44-45](/luke/23-44-45 "Luke 23:44-45 - Darkness and the Torn Veil") was not a natural solar eclipse. The crucifixion occurred during the Passover festival, which always takes place at the time of a full moon. A solar eclipse, by definition, can only happen during a new moon when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth. Therefore, the three hours of darkness were a supernatural event, a divine sign marking the cosmic significance of Jesus' death.

**Which veil of the temple was torn, and why is that significant?**

Answer: The veil that was torn was the inner curtain (the _katapétasma_), which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) within the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This was the most sacred part of the Temple, believed to be the dwelling place of God's presence, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. Its tearing is profoundly significant because it symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, signifying that direct access to God was now open to all through Christ's sacrifice, rendering the old system of separation and mediation obsolete.

**Why is the detail that the veil was "rent in the midst" important?**

Answer: The phrase "in the midst" (Greek, _mésos_) implies that the veil was torn from top to bottom. This detail, explicitly stated in parallel accounts like [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Veil Torn") and [Mark 15:38](/mark/15-38 "Mark 15:38 - The Veil Torn"), is crucial because it indicates that the tearing was an act of God, not of human hands. If it had been torn from the bottom up, it might suggest human agency or rebellion. But torn from the top down, it powerfully signifies that God Himself initiated the removal of the barrier, opening the way to His presence by His divine power and will through the sacrifice of His Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:45 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the embodiment of the new access to God and the culmination of all Old Testament types and shadows. The cosmic darkness at His crucifixion underscores that He bore the full weight of divine judgment against sin, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). More profoundly, the tearing of the temple veil at the moment of His death signifies that Jesus, through His once-for-all sacrifice, has become the ultimate High Priest and the new "veil," providing direct access to God. The author of Hebrews eloquently explains that Jesus, by His own blood, entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven, securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest of the New Covenant")). His crucified body is metaphorically described as the "new and living way" through the torn veil ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through the Veil")), making it possible for all believers to draw near to God's throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace")). Thus, Jesus is not only the one who removed the barrier but is Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life, through whom alone we can come to the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 10:19

¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Matthew 27:51

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;

Hebrews 9:3

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Hebrews 9:8

¶ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Mark 15:38

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

Ephesians 2:14

¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];