Matthew 27:51

“And look, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split;”

Matthew 27:51 · direct translation from the Greek
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Darkness at midday, his cry to God, and the curtain of the sanctuary torn in twoThe Cross

With the Greek beneath

51

Theme · Exodus 26:31-33

Go to Exodus 26:31-33

Matthew 27:51 says that the curtain of the sanctuary was torn from top to bottom; Exodus 26:31-33 describes the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

The same term appears in both passages.

  • καταπέτασμαkatapetasmaG2665פָרֹכֶתfarojetH6532“veil, curtain”

Matthew 27:51, word by word

the curtainκαταπέτασμαkatapetasma

curtain

Curtain, veil.

Where else “katapetasma” appears
of the sanctuaryναοῦnaou

sanctuary

God's house inside the temple.

Where else “naou” appears
was tornἐσχίσθηeschisthē

tear

To tear something with a pull, to split it in two.

Where else “eschisthē” appears
twoδύοdyo

two

Two.

Where else “dyo” appears
topἄνωθενanōthen

from above

From above, from God.

Where else “anōthen” appears
bottomκάτωkatō

below

Below, down; "from below".

Where else “katō” appears
the earthγῆgē

earth

The whole earth under heaven, where human beings live.

Where else “gē” appears
was shakenἐσείσθηeseisthē

shake

Move violently, rock.

Where else “eseisthē” appears
the rocksπέτραιpetrai

rock

Rock, bedrock.

Where else “petrai” appears

Translation note

The curtain separated the holiest part of the sanctuary (Exodus 26:31-33).

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

The death of Jesus

Mark 15:33-41Luke 23:44-49John 19:28-37

See them side by side

Matthew 27:45-56

45Now from the sixth hour darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47And some of those standing there, when they heard it, were saying, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48And at once one of them ran and took a sponge, and filled it with sour wine, and putting it on a reed, he was giving him a drink. 49But the rest were saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah is coming to save him.” 50And Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, let go of his spirit. 51And look, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split; 52and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now the centurion and those with him keeping watch over Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things that had happened, were very afraid, saying, “Truly this man was God’s Son.” 55And there were there many women watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him; 56among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 15:33-41

33And when the sixth hour came, darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35And some of those standing by, hearing it, were saying, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” 36And someone ran, and filling a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and was giving him a drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah comes to take him down.” 37But Jesus, letting out a loud cry, breathed his last. 38And the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he breathed his last in this way, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son.” 40And there were also women watching from a distance, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, 41who, when he was in Galilee, used to follow him and serve him, and many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Luke 23:44-49

44And it was already about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45the sun having failed; and the curtain of the sanctuary was torn down the middle. 46And crying out with a loud voice, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this, he breathed his last. 47And the centurion, seeing what had happened, was glorifying God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous.” 48And all the crowds who had gathered for this spectacle, having seen what had happened, returned home beating their breasts. 49And all his acquaintances stood at a distance, and the women who had followed him from Galilee, seeing these things.

John 19:28-37

28After this, Jesus, knowing that all was already finished, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, says, “I am thirsty.” 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so putting a sponge full of the sour wine on hyssop, they held it to his mouth. 30So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 31So the Jews, since it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath day was a great one), asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken away. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him; 33but when they came to Jesus, as they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35And the one who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36For these things happened so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of his will be broken.” 37And again another Scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they pierced.”

The context

50And Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, let go of his spirit.

51 · This verse (above)

52and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Read all of Matthew 27

To study Matthew 27 in a group

  1. 1. What it says

    What did Pilate ask Jesus, and how did Jesus answer (v. 11)?

  2. 2. What it means

    What happened when Jesus died, and what did the centurion and those with him say (vv. 50–54)?

  3. 3. How I live it

    Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body and buried it with care (vv. 57–60). What gesture of respect can you offer someone grieving?

How to use it