When Jesus Died

When Jesus Died

Q: Which of these things happened when Jesus died?

• a. A strong wind blew, and the Temple crumbled.
• b. Lightning split the sky and rocks.
• c. The Temple veil ripped, and the earth shook.

Many people had been crucified at Golgotha before Jesus, but his crucifixion was different. Many things happened to let people know this was no ordinary death.

While Jesus was dying on the cross, there was darkness over the land. This darkness was caused by God and wasn’t some act of nature. Perhaps God caused the darkness as a sign of the spiritual darkness that caused Jesus’ death.

At the moment Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple separating the Holy Place (where only priests could enter) from the Most Holy Place (where the priest could only enter once a year) was torn in two. God was showing that the barrier between God and people had been removed. Because of Jesus’ death, people could ask for forgiveness themselves rather than having a priest offer a sacrifice for sins.

This wasn’t all that happened. When Jesus died, the earth shook, rocks split apart, the tombs broke open, and many holy people were brought back to life. These resurrected people went into the city, where the crowds saw them.

God wanted to make sure everyone knew this was no ordinary man who died, so he caused many miraculous things to happen.

For You

Jesus was no ordinary man. He was the Son of God dying not for his own sins, but for ours. Be sure to thank Jesus for the forgiveness he provides for us.

Answer: c

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, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.   Matthew 27:51-52

(The Whole Story: Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37)