Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land to the ninth hour.… The infidel has attempted to impugn its credibility. He has urged: "Why we do not read of it in profane history?" 1. That, according to the evangelical history, the darkness may not have extended beyond the limits of Judea. If this be true it would not be observed in Greece, Italy, or any other country beyond Judea. 2. The historical accounts of that period, especially of matters then occurring in Judea, are, if we except those of the New Testament, very scanty indeed. 3. The policy of both Jews and Gentiles who were opposed to Christianity, was to suppress facts that might tend to record it. 4. It is assuming what cannot be proved when it is said that this event is not named by other than Christian writers. Most of the works of that time have perished; and , in his apology for the Christian religion, addressed to the magistates of the empire and to the Senate of Rome, appeals as having this miraculous darkness preserved in their archives. I. THIS DARKNESS AS INDICATING THE AGENCY WHICH THEN PREDOMINATED. Sin was then prevailing over holiness. II. This darkness as indicating THE CRIME WHICH WAS THEN PERPETRATED. III. This darkness as indicating THE SUFFERINGS WHICH WERE THEN ENDURED. IV. This darkness as indicating THE EVILS WHICH WERE THEN REMOVED. V. This darkness as indicating THE JUDGMENTS THAT WERE THEN INCURRED. (W. Urwick, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.WEB: Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. |
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