Matthew 27:45

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Now {G1161} from {G575} the sixth {G1623} hour {G5610} there was {G1096} darkness {G4655} over {G1909} all {G3956} the land {G1093} unto {G2193} the ninth {G1766} hour {G5610}.

From noon until three o'clock in the afternoon, all the Land was covered with darkness.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

Commentary

Matthew 27:45 (KJV) describes a profound and supernatural event during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ: "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." This verse marks a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative, highlighting the cosmic significance of Christ's suffering and death.

Context of the Darkness

This miraculous darkness occurred while Jesus hung on the cross at Golgotha. According to Roman timekeeping, the "sixth hour" was noon, and the "ninth hour" was 3 PM. Thus, for three hours in the middle of the day, an unnatural gloom enveloped the region. This event is corroborated by the other Synoptic Gospels, found in Mark 15:33 and Luke 23:44, underscoring its historical weight.

It is crucial to note that this was not a natural solar eclipse. The Passover, during which Jesus was crucified, always took place during a full moon, making a solar eclipse impossible. This points to a direct divine intervention, a sign from God accompanying the ultimate act of redemption.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sorrow: The darkness symbolizes God's judgment against sin and the immense sorrow of the Father as His Son bore the sins of humanity. It echoes Old Testament prophecies where darkness signified the Day of the Lord and divine wrath.
  • Cosmic Significance: The entire creation seemed to mourn or react to the death of its Creator. This darkness underscores that the crucifixion was not merely a historical event but a cosmic one, impacting all of existence.
  • Atonement and Sacrifice: During these hours of darkness, Jesus was performing the ultimate work of atonement, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). The darkness might have shielded the full extent of the spiritual battle He endured, as He was separated from the Father while bearing the world's sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "darkness" used here is skotos (σκότος), which often carries connotations of spiritual blindness, judgment, or the absence of light. While "all the land" (Greek: pasēn tēn gēn) could technically mean the whole earth, in this context, it most likely refers to the entire region of Judea or Palestine, emphasizing the widespread and undeniable nature of this miraculous event.

Reflection and Application

The darkness at the crucifixion serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of sin and the immense cost of our salvation. It highlights the profound suffering of Jesus Christ, not just physically, but spiritually, as He endured the wrath of God on our behalf. This event calls us to contemplate the depth of God's love and the completed work of Christ on the cross. Even in the darkest moments, God was at work, bringing about His perfect plan for redemption.

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Cross-References

  • Amos 8:9 (13 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

  • Mark 15:33 (8 votes)

    ¶ And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

  • Mark 15:34 (8 votes)

    And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

  • Luke 23:44 (7 votes)

    ¶ And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

  • Luke 23:45 (7 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 50:3 (6 votes)

    I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

  • Revelation 9:2 (5 votes)

    And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.