The Day the Temple Veil Was Torn and the Earth Shook: A Reflection on Matthew 27:50-51
In the annals of human history, few moments carry the weight and wonder of the events recorded in Matthew 27:50-51. These verses capture the climactic death of Jesus Christ on the cross and the extraordinary supernatural signs that followed, events that shook the earth and tore down barriers, physical and spiritual. This passage reveals the heart of the Gospel: Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, the removal of the divide between God and humanity, and the inauguration of a new era of grace. Let us explore these verses from the English Standard Version (ESV), exegete their meaning, delve into key phrases from the original Greek, and uncover their profound implications for our lives today.
Matthew 27:50-51 (ESV):
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."
This passage marks the pinnacle of Jesus’ earthly mission. His death was not an end but a beginning, a victory reverberating through eternity. As we unpack these verses, we will see how they affirm Jesus’ authority, accomplish redemption, and open the way to God for all who believe.
Exegesis of Matthew 27:50: Jesus’ Final Cry and Yielding of His Spirit
"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit."
Jesus’ Cry of Victory
The verse begins with a striking detail: "Jesus cried out again with a loud voice." Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution designed to exhaust and silence its victims. Most who endured it slipped into unconsciousness or died in a state of utter depletion. Yet Jesus, despite the unimaginable torment He suffered—flogging, beating, and the agony of the cross—remained conscious and spoke with strength until His final breath. This sets Him apart from every other victim of crucifixion and underscores His sovereignty even in death.
The Gospel of John provides further insight into this moment. John 19:30 records Jesus’ words: "It is finished." In the original Greek, this is a single, powerful word: τετέλεσται (tetelestai), meaning "it is accomplished" or "paid in full." Far from a cry of defeat, tetelestai was the shout of a victor. Jesus declared that His mission—to pay the penalty for humanity’s sin—was complete. The debt we owed to God, a debt we could never repay, was settled in full by His sacrifice. This cry echoes through the ages as the announcement of redemption’s triumph.
Yielding His Spirit
Following His cry, Matthew states that Jesus "yielded up his spirit." The Greek phrase here is ἀφῆκεν τὸ πνεῦμα (aphēken to pneuma), where ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) means "to send away," "let go," or "release." This wording is deliberate and profound. Unlike any other human, Jesus did not have His life taken from Him; He released it willingly. Death had no rightful claim over Him, for He was sinless—the immaculate Son of God who never forfeited His life through transgression.
Jesus Himself affirmed this authority in John 10:17-18:
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again."
His death was an act of sovereign will, a voluntary offering for the sins of the world. As Augustine eloquently put it, "He gave up his life because He willed it, when He willed it, and as He willed it."
Key Takeaways from Verse 50
Voluntary Sacrifice: Jesus was not a helpless victim but the Lord who chose to die for us, demonstrating His love and power.
Redemption Accomplished: With tetelestai, He proclaimed the completion of His atoning work, securing salvation for all who trust in Him.
Divine Authority: His ability to yield His spirit reveals His unique identity as the sinless Son of God, standing in our place yet never becoming a sinner Himself.
Exegesis of Matthew 27:51, The Tearing of the Veil and the Earthquake
"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."
Immediately following Jesus’ death, two remarkable events unfold: the tearing of the temple veil and a powerful earthquake. These are not mere coincidences but divine acts proclaiming the cross's significance.
The Tearing of the Temple Veil
"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom."
To grasp the weight of this event, we must understand the role of the temple veil. In the Jewish temple, the veil—known in Greek as τὸ καταπέτασμα (to katapetasma)—separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. This inner sanctum represented God’s presence, and access was strictly limited. Only the high priest could enter, once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for the people’s sins. The veil symbolized the barrier between a holy God and a sinful humanity, a divide that no one could cross on their own.
At the moment of Jesus’ death, this veil was torn in two, from top to bottom. The direction of the tear is significant—it began at the top, beyond human reach, indicating that God Himself rent the curtain. This was no small tear but a complete splitting, exposing the Most Holy Place and shattering the old order. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the separation caused by sin was abolished. His blood provided the ultimate atonement, granting all believers direct access to God’s presence.
The writer of Hebrews connects this event to Christ’s work:
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh..." (Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV).
Jesus’ broken body became the torn veil, opening a path to God for every sinner who comes in faith.
The Earthquake and Splitting Rocks
"And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."
As the veil was torn, the earth itself responded. In Greek, ἡ γῆ ἐσείσθη (hē gē eseisthē) means "the earth was shaken," and αἱ πέτραι ἐσχίσθησαν (hai petrai eschisthēsan) means "the rocks were split." These vivid verbs describe a violent, earth-shattering event. This was no ordinary tremor but a supernatural sign of the cosmic impact of Jesus’ death.
Throughout Scripture, earthquakes often accompany God’s presence or judgment—think of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18) or the upheavals foretold in Revelation. Here, the shaking earth and splitting rocks proclaim that Jesus’ death was a pivotal moment in creation’s history. It marked the defeat of sin and death, the breaking of the old covenant’s limitations, and the dawn of a new creation. Nature itself bore witness to the death of the Son of God, a death that would ultimately redeem the world.
Key Takeaways from Verse 51
Access Granted: The torn veil signifies that Jesus’ death removed the barrier of sin, offering direct communion with God.
End of the Old Order: The splitting of the veil signaled the obsolescence of the temple system, fulfilled by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.
Cosmic Significance: The earthquake reflects the universal scope of Jesus’ death, affecting humanity and all creation.
Theological Implications
The events of Matthew 27:50-51 are rich with meaning, revealing core truths of the Christian faith.
Direct Access to God
The torn veil vividly symbolizes the new relationship believers have with God. Under the old covenant, access was mediated through priests and sacrifices, but Jesus’ death opened the way for all. Hebrews 4:16 invites us: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Through Christ, we can approach God boldly, without fear or hindrance.
The New Covenant Inaugurated
The tearing of the veil marks the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new. The temple’s rituals were shadows pointing to Christ, the true Lamb of God. His death fulfilled the law, establishing a covenant of grace where forgiveness is granted through faith (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). The old system, with its barriers and sacrifices, gave way to the sufficiency of Jesus’ blood.
Jesus’ Sovereign Power
From His voluntary death to the signs that followed, Jesus’ authority shines through. He laid down His life by His own will, and the supernatural events—torn veil, shaken earth—authenticate His identity as the Son of God. His death was not a tragedy but a triumph, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.
Universal Impact
The earthquake underscores that Jesus’ death was not a localized event but one with eternal and cosmic ramifications. It broke the power of sin, shook the foundations of the fallen world, and set the stage for the renewal of all things (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Evangelical Perspective
From an evangelical viewpoint, Matthew 27:50-51 is the heartbeat of the gospel. These verses proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers salvation to all who believe.
The Atoning Sacrifice
Jesus’ death was substitutionary—He took our place, bearing the punishment we deserved. The torn veil testifies that His sacrifice was accepted by God, reconciling us to Him. As Paul writes, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). This is the foundation of our hope.
An Invitation to Relationship
The torn veil invites everyone to know God personally. Salvation is not about rituals or intermediaries but faith in Jesus. We enter God’s presence through Him, experiencing His love and grace directly. This personal relationship is the essence of the Christian life.
Confirmation of Jesus’ Identity
The supernatural signs—the veil’s tearing, the earthquake, even the centurion’s confession, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54)—affirm Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. These events fulfill Old Testament prophecies and types, such as the Passover lamb and the Day of Atonement, pointing to Him as the promised Savior.
Practical Application
The truths of Matthew 27:50-51 are not abstract doctrines but living realities that shape our daily walk with God.
Approach God with Confidence
Because the veil is torn, we can come to God without hesitation. Whether in prayer, worship, or need, we can access His throne of grace. This should transform our spiritual lives, fostering intimacy and trust in His presence.
Live in Light of the Cross
Understanding the cost of our redemption—Jesus’ voluntary death—should inspire us to live for Him. It calls us to reject sin, pursue holiness, and reflect His love to others. The cross is not just our salvation but our motivation.
Respond with Worship
The magnitude of what Jesus accomplished demands a response of gratitude and praise. As we contemplate the torn veil and the shaken earth, our hearts should overflow with worship for the One who gave everything for us.
Conclusion
The day the temple veil was torn and the earth shook was a day of unparalleled significance. Jesus’ death on the cross, marked by His victorious cry and voluntary surrender, tore down the barrier of sin and opened the way to God. The following supernatural signs, the rent veil, the quaking earth, proclaim the power and scope of His sacrifice. This is the gospel in action: Christ’s atoning death, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and a personal relationship with God to all who believe.
As we reflect on Matthew 27:50-51, may we stand in awe of Jesus’ love and authority. May we embrace the access He has provided, living with confidence, gratitude, and purpose. And may we proclaim this good news to a world in need, pointing others to the Savior who shook the earth and rent the veil for us all.
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