Mar 15:38 | TNotes | STEP | 15:38 The curtain that was torn in two might have been the one that separated the sanctuary from the courtyard (a magnificent tapestry eighty feet tall) or the one that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the sanctuary. If it was the former, the tearing (like the darkness, 15:33 ) was visible to people; it would indicate that Jesus’ prediction of the sanctuary’s destruction (14:58 ; 15:29 ) was being fulfilled spiritually (see Rom 9–11 ) but awaited physical fulfillment in AD 70. If it was the interior curtain that tore, it was probably a sign that, just as the heavens were split for Jesus to reveal his direct access to God (see study note on Mark 1:10), his death now extended this access to his followers (see Heb 6:19-20 ; 9:3-14 ; 10:19-20 ).

a15:38►

b15:33►

c14:58►

d15:29►

eRom 9–11►

fHeb 6:19-20►

g9:3-14►

h10:19-20►

‏ Mark 15:38

15:38 ^a The curtain that was torn in two might have been the one that separated the sanctuary from the courtyard (a magnificent tapestry eighty feet tall) or the one that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the sanctuary. If it was the former, the tearing (like the darkness, 15:33 ^b) was visible to people; it would indicate that Jesus’ prediction of the sanctuary’s destruction (14:58 ^c; 15:29 ^d) was being fulfilled spiritually (see Rom 9–11 ^e) but awaited physical fulfillment in AD 70. If it was the interior curtain that tore, it was probably a sign that, just as the heavens were split for Jesus to reveal his direct access to God (see study note on Mark 1:10), his death now extended this access to his followers (see Heb 6:19-20 ^f; 9:3-14 ^g; 10:19-20 ^h).