Matthew 27:51
New International Version
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

New Living Translation
At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,

English Standard Version
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Berean Standard Bible
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

Berean Literal Bible
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

New American Standard Bible
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

NASB 1995
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

NASB 1977
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split,

Legacy Standard Bible
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

Amplified Bible
And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart.

Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split.

American Standard Version
And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;

Contemporary English Version
At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart.

English Revised Version
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 were rent;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Suddenly, the curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split open.

Good News Translation
Then the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split apart,

International Standard Version
Suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, rocks were split open,

Majority Standard Bible
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

NET Bible
Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart.

New Heart English Bible
And look, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

Webster's Bible Translation
And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom: and the earth shook, and the rocks rent;

Weymouth New Testament
Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

World English Bible
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Berean Literal Bible
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split.

Young's Literal Translation
and lo, the vail of the sanctuary was rent in two from top unto bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks were rent,

Smith's Literal Translation
And, behold, the covering of the temple was cleft in two, from above to below; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks were cleft:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart.

New American Bible
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split,

New Revised Standard Version
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And immediately the door curtains of the temple were rent in two, from the top to the bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks split;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And at once the curtain entrance of The Temple was ripped in two from top to bottom. The earth was shaken and the rocks were split.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in two from top to bottom. And the earth did shake, and the rocks were rent:

Godbey New Testament
And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom, and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;

Haweis New Testament
And, lo! the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the upper part to the bottom; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks were rent;

Mace New Testament
Immediately the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom; the earth trembled, the rocks split,

Weymouth New Testament
Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

Worrell New Testament
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two, from top to bottom; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks were rent;

Worsley New Testament
And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Death of Jesus
50When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.…

Cross References
Mark 15:38
And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 23:45
The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

Hebrews 10:19-20
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,

Exodus 26:31-33
Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. / Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. / And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

2 Chronicles 3:14
He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim woven into it.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Hebrews 9:3
Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Ephesians 2:14-18
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. ...

Isaiah 25:7
On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;

Isaiah 64:1
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence,

Zechariah 14:4-5
On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south. / You will flee by My mountain valley, for it will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him.

Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Revelation 6:12
And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,


Treasury of Scripture

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

the veil.

Exodus 26:31-37
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: …

Exodus 40:21
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Leviticus 16:2,12-15
And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat…

the earth.

Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Psalm 18:7,15
Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth…

Micah 1:3,4
For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth…

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Matthew 27
1. Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate.
3. Judas hangs himself.
19. Pilate, admonished of his wife,
20. and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas.
27. Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns;
33. crucified;
39. reviled;
50. dies, and is buried;
62. his tomb is sealed and watched.














At that moment
This phrase signifies the precise timing of the event, immediately following Jesus' death on the cross. It underscores the divine orchestration of events, emphasizing that this was not a random occurrence but a pivotal moment in salvation history. The Greek word used here, "ἰδοὺ" (idou), often translated as "behold," is a call to attention, urging the reader to recognize the significance of what is happening.

the veil of the temple
The veil, or curtain, in the temple was a significant barrier that separated the Holy of Holies—the most sacred part of the temple where God's presence was believed to dwell—from the rest of the temple where people gathered. This veil was a symbol of the separation between God and humanity due to sin. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The tearing of the veil signifies the removal of this separation, symbolizing that through Jesus' sacrifice, all believers now have direct access to God.

was torn in two
The tearing of the veil is a powerful image of the new covenant established through Jesus' death. The Greek word "σχίζω" (schizo) means to split or divide, indicating a complete and decisive action. This act was not done by human hands but by God Himself, as evidenced by the direction of the tear—from top to bottom. It represents the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, as Jesus' sacrifice opens the way for a new relationship between God and humanity.

from top to bottom
This detail emphasizes the divine nature of the event. The veil was approximately 60 feet high, and its tearing from top to bottom indicates that it was not a human act but a supernatural one. This act of God signifies that the barrier of sin has been removed, and reconciliation between God and humanity is now possible through Jesus Christ.

The earth quaked
The earthquake is a physical manifestation of the spiritual significance of Jesus' death. In biblical times, earthquakes were often seen as signs of God's presence and power. The Greek word "σεισμός" (seismos) is used here, which can refer to a shaking or commotion. This seismic event underscores the cosmic impact of Jesus' sacrifice, affecting not only the spiritual realm but the physical world as well.

and the rocks were split
The splitting of the rocks further emphasizes the magnitude of the event. It is a demonstration of God's power and a foreshadowing of the resurrection, where the power of death and the grave is broken. The Greek word "ἐσχίσθησαν" (eschisthēsan) is used, which is related to the word for the tearing of the veil, indicating a parallel between the two events. This act signifies the breaking of the old order and the inauguration of a new era in God's redemptive plan.

(51) The veil of the temple was rent in twain.--Better, the veil of the sanctuary, or, if we do not alter the word, we must remember that it is the veil that divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies that is here meant. The fact, which the high priests would naturally have wished to conceal, and which in the nature of the case could not have been seen by any but the sons of Aaron, may have been reported by the "great multitude of the priests" who "became obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7). The Evangelist's record of it is all the more significant, as he does not notice, and apparently, therefore, did not apprehend, the symbolic import of the fact. That import we learn indirectly from the Epistle to the Hebrews. The priests had, as far as they had power, destroyed the true Temple (comp. John 2:19); but in doing so they had robbed their own sanctuary of all that made it holy. The true veil, as that which shrouded the Divine Glory from the eyes of men, was His own flesh, and through that He had passed, as the Forerunner of all who trusted in Him, into the sanctuary not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (Hebrews 10:20-21). All who fulfilled that condition might enter into that holiest place, but the visible sanctuary was now made common and unclean, and there too all might enter without profanation.

The earth did quake, and the rocks rent.--Jerusalem was, it will be remembered, situated in the zone of earthquakes, and one very memorable convulsion is recorded or alluded to in the Old Testament (Isaiah 24:19; Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5). Here, though the shock startled men at the time, there was no widespread ruin such as would lead to its being chronicled by contemporary historians. . . .

Verses 51-56. - Signs following the death of Christ. (Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:47-49.) Verse 51. - And, behold. St. Matthew thus introduces his account of the portents which attended the death of the Son of God. The rending of the veil is mentioned by the synoptists as consequent on, and occurring simultaneously with, the completion of the ineffable sacrifice. The veil of the temple (τοῦ ναοῦ). There were two principal veils in the present temple - one between the vestibule and the holy place, and one other which is that here referred to, a constituent part of the edifce. This was the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies, which was moved aside only once a year to admit the high priest to the shrine on the great Day of Atonement (Exodus 26:33). It was large and costly, some sixty feet high, and made of rich materials. Josephus ('Bell. Jud.,' 5:05. 4) tells us of one of the veils in the temple, that it was a Babylonian curtain, embroidered with linen in various colours, woven together with wonderful art, such as the eye loved to rest upon. Was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. An apocryphal Gospel ('The Gospel of the Hebrews'), quoted by St. Jerome, in loc., asserts that the exquisitely carved lintel to which the veil was fastened was at this moment shattered to pieces, and in its fall tore the curtain asunder. The direction of the rent would show that no human hands had torn it apart, and the rending seems to have preceded the earthquake. The violent act was supernatural, and of a typical nature, as we are taught by Hebrews 9:6-12. The sanctuary enshrined the presence of God, from which the veil excluded every one but the high priest on one special occasion, thus denoting the imperfect reconciliation between God and his people, and that the way to the holiest was not yet made manifest. The rending of this veil betokened the opening of the access to heaven through the wounded body of Christ: as we read in Hebrews 10:19, 20, "Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." "When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers." The distinction between Jew and Gentile was abolished, the mysteries of the old Law were opened and manifested, all rites and ceremonies were made of sacramental efficacy, and ministered grace. How soon this ominous occurrence was discovered, we know not. The priest who offered incense at the evening sacrifice about this same hour must have seen it, and spread abroad among his comrades the news, to which many would attach a meaning fatal to the security of their religion. But this was comparatively a private sign; the next one was of a more comprehensive and public character. The earth did quake, and the rocks rent. The last verb is the same as was used just before in the case of the veil. There was a local earthquake at this awful moment, as if the very land shuddered at the terrible crime that had been committed. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem is supposed to cover the Golgotha of the Crucifixion (see on ver. 33). "An opening, faced with silver, shows the spot where the cross is said to have been sunk in the rock, and less than five feet from it is a long brass open work slide, over a cleft in the rock, which is about six inches deep, but is supposed by the pilgrims to reach to the centre of the earth. This is said to mark the rending of the rocks at the Crucifixion" (Geikie, 'Holy Land and Bible,' p. 447). The fact of the earthquake is testified by Phlegon, whose words were quoted by Julius Africanus, in his 'Chronographia' (fragments of which work have been published by Routh and others), and by Eusebius, in his 'Chronicon' (the passage, no longer extant in the original, being preserved by Jerome, and in an Armenian version; see Morison, on ver. 45). The rending of the rocks is attested by St. Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem ('Cateches.,' 13:33), who speaks of the remarkable fissure in Golgotha, which he had often noticed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
At that moment
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

veil
καταπέτασμα (katapetasma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2665: From a compound of kata and a congener of petomai; something spread thoroughly, i.e. the door screen in the Jewish Temple.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple
ναοῦ (naou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3485: A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.

was torn
ἐσχίσθη (eschisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4977: To rend, divide asunder, cleave. Apparently a primary verb; to split or sever.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

two
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

top
ἄνωθεν (anōthen)
Adverb
Strong's 509: From ano; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew.

to
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

bottom.
κάτω (katō)
Adverb
Strong's 2736: (a) down, below, also: downwards, (b) lower, under, less, of a length of time. Also katotero; adverb from kata; downwards.

The
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆ (gē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

quaked
ἐσείσθη (eseisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4579: To shake; fig: I agitate, stir up. Apparently a primary verb; to rock, i.e. to agitate; figuratively, to throw into a tremor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
αἱ (hai)
Article - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rocks
πέτραι (petrai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4073: A rock, ledge, cliff, cave, stony ground. Feminine of the same as Petros; a rock.

were split.
ἐσχίσθησαν (eschisthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4977: To rend, divide asunder, cleave. Apparently a primary verb; to split or sever.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 27:51 Behold the veil of the temple was (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 27:50
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