Mat 27:51 | TNotes | STEP | 27:51 The significance of the splitting of the curtain in the Temple is that the wall dividing people from God has been torn down by the death of Jesus Christ (see also Eph 2:11-22 ; Heb 6:19 ; 9:1–10:25 ). • The earth shook, rocks split apart: These are portents of the arrival of judgment (see Exod 19:18 ; Judg 5:4 ; Ps 18:7 ; Joel 3:14-17 ; Amos 8:8-10 ). Josephus records the appearance about AD 30 of a star resembling a sword and a spontaneous opening of the gates of the Temple (Josephus, War 6.5.3-4).

a27:51►

bEph 2:11-22►

cHeb 6:19►

d9:1–10:25►

eExod 19:18►

fJudg 5:4►

gPs 18:7►

hJoel 3:14-17►

iAmos 8:8-10►

‏ Matthew 27:51

27:51 ^a The significance of the splitting of the curtain in the Temple is that the wall dividing people from God has been torn down by the death of Jesus Christ (see also Eph 2:11-22 ^b; Heb 6:19 ^c; 9:1–10:25 ^d).

• The earth shook, rocks split apart: These are portents of the arrival of judgment (see Exod 19:18 ^e; Judg 5:4 ^f; Ps 18:7 ^g; Joel 3:14-17 ^h; Amos 8:8-10 ⁱ). Josephus records the appearance about AD 30 of a star resembling a sword and a spontaneous opening of the gates of the Temple (Josephus, War 6.5.3-4).