Matthew 27:51

Matthew 27:51 describes a pivotal moment immediately following the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. This verse records two astonishing supernatural events: the tearing of the temple veil and a significant earthquake, both serving as powerful divine declarations.

Context

This verse occurs at the climax of Jesus' crucifixion narrative. The "veil of the temple" refers to the thick, ornate curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple. The Holy of Holies was considered the most sacred space, representing God's dwelling presence on earth, and was accessible only by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2, Hebrews 9:7) to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. The tearing of this veil "from the top to the bottom" indicates a divine, not human, act, signifying a profound shift in humanity's relationship with God. The accompanying earthquake and splitting rocks underscore the cosmic significance and divine validation of Jesus' death.

Key Themes

• Direct Access to God: The most profound meaning of the torn veil is the abolition of the barrier between God and humanity. Jesus' death, as the ultimate sacrifice, opened a new and living way for believers to approach God directly, without the need for an earthly high priest or sacrificial system (Hebrews 10:19-20).
• Completion of Atonement: The tearing signifies that the atoning work for sin was fully accomplished by Christ's sacrifice. His cry, "It is finished" (John 19:30), aligns with the veil's rending, indicating that the old covenant's provisional sacrifices were now superseded by Christ's perfect, once-for-all offering.
• Divine Validation and Cosmic Impact: The earthquake and splitting rocks are not mere coincidences but powerful signs from God, confirming the identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the monumental significance of His death. Nature itself reacts to the death of its Creator, mirroring the spiritual upheaval.
• The End of the Old Covenant: This event marks the symbolic end of the Old Covenant system, with its rituals, sacrifices, and priestly mediation, paving the way for the New Covenant established through Jesus' blood (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13).

Linguistic Insights

• The Greek word for "rent" is schizō (σχίζω), meaning to split, tear, or cleave. The use of this word emphasizes the forceful and decisive nature of the tearing, reinforcing that it was an act of God.
• "Quake" comes from seismos (σεισμός), which can refer to an earthquake, shaking, or tempest. This term is also used to describe the earthquake at Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28:2), linking these two pivotal events.

Related Scriptures

The tearing of the veil is also recorded in the parallel Gospel accounts:

• Mark 15:38
• Luke 23:45

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 27:51 is a profound source of comfort and assurance. It means:

• Unrestricted Access: We no longer need human mediators or elaborate rituals to approach God. Through Jesus, we have direct access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18; Romans 5:2).
• Boldness in Prayer: We can approach God's throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Christ has cleared the way (Hebrews 4:16).
• Assurance of Forgiveness: The complete tearing of the veil signifies that sin's barrier has been removed, and full forgiveness is available through Christ's sacrifice.
• Living in the New Covenant: We live in an era where God's Spirit dwells within believers, and His law is written on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), rather than being dependent on external rituals.