Tag: Matthew 27:51-56

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

51-53 At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split into pieces. What’s more, tombs were opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. (After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.)

54 The captain of the guard and those with him, when they saw the earthquake and everything else, were scared to death. They said, “This has to be the Son of God!”

55-56 There were also quite a few women watching from a distance, women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the Zebedee brothers.

-Matthew 27:51-56 The Message

Verse 51: And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Verse 51 study: There are three main parts to the temple:

1. The courts
2. The Holy Place
3. The Holy of Holies

The priests are the only ones that can enter the holy place. Meanwhile, the high priests are the only ones that can enter the holy of holies; once a year, the priests can atone for the nation’s sins (Leviticus 16:1-35). The veil that separated the holy place and the holy of holies was torn in two when Christ died. This action symbolized the barrier between God and humanity was removed. Everybody is free to approach God because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:19-22).

Verse 52: Also, the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Verse 53: and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

Verse 54: Now, as for the centurion and those with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became petrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Verse 55: And many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while caring for Him.

Verse 56: Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Verses 52-53 studies: Four miraculous things happened when Christ died.

1. Darkness happened.
2. Tearing of the veil in the temple.
3. An earthquake happened.
4. Dead people started rising from their tombs.

There is no way that Jesus’ death went unnoticed. Everybody knew something significant had happened.

Often, we don’t give Jesus the credit he deserves, let alone the worship and praise he should be getting. Everything Jesus did is for you, and his obedience is an example of why these miracles happened. Father, let us be reminded of obedience during a difficult time in our world today. Not many people choose to follow Jesus and his plans for us. People choose to follow themselves and their own plans. Let us be there as followers to set the stage. In Jesus’ name. Amen!