seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Matthew 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
The curtain [or veil as it is also known] was no frail little curtain.
So the presence of God remained shielded from man behind a thick curtain during the history of Israel. However, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross changed that. When He died, the curtain in the Jerusalem temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom. Only God could have carried out such an incredible feat because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached it, and too thick to have torn it. (The Jerusalem temple, a replica of the wilderness tabernacle, had a curtain that was about 60 feet in height, 30 feet in width and four inches thick.) Furthermore, it was torn from top down, meaning this act must have come from above.
I googled earthquake of Jesus crucifixion.
It seems that the crucifixion earthquake of 33 A.D. was magnitude 5.5, leaving direct physical evidence in a thin layer of disturbed sediment from the Dead Sea.
The commentary GodVine says this.
Some of the tombs were shattered and laid open by the earthquake, and while they continued unclosed (and they must have stood open all the Sabbath, seeing the law would not allow any attempt to close them) many bodies of holy men were raised, (perhaps Simeon, Zacharias, John the Baptist, and others who had believed in Christ, and were known to many in Jerusalem,) And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, went into the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many - Who had probably known them before: God hereby signifying, that Christ had conquered death, and would raise all his saints in due season.
I found this article that describes verse 54.
Imagine the fear inspired by a detachment of Roman legionnaires marching into your village. The ground rumbles beneath one hundred soldiers armed with sword, shield and armor as they move down your street. The entire unit moving as one. Not one solider thinking of his own choices but moving as a single entity. Along side riding on a proud steed is the centurion. Distinguished in attire and character. He is one who worked his way up through the ranks by merit into a position of trusted authority. Seasoned by battle and enforcing law in hundreds of villages throughout the Empire his eyes are filled with a deep knowing. He has a charge and a duty to carry out and is little moved by the opinion of any human spirit.
One Centurion on what would have been an ordinary day of keeping order was witness to the day that shook the city and the world. Perhaps he had heard of Jesus of Nazareth or even seen the crowds that followed him. He may have even been an acquaintance of the centurion who's servant was healed by Christ. (Matt 8) He certainly saw the huge crowds watching this crucifixion. He saw some crying and others mocking. He saw the sign over his head, "This is Jesus. The King of the Jews" He even heard Christ promise one of the other crucified thieves next to him the promise of paradise! There must have been a lot of thinking and considering behind his steely-eyed gaze as he stood watch with his soldiers over this eerie event.
What made this Jesus so special? Another rabble-rouser Jewish extremist? But somehow he doesn't fit the profile. And why do the priests and religionists hate him so much? Why are they so threatened? In the midst of thought suddenly Jesus clears his throat and yells, "It is finished!" and gives up his spirit as if by choice and purpose. (John 19:30) Then a violent earthquake! Everything is shaking! The loud and dramatic waves of earth moving power is rumbling through every soul causing terror, screams near and far... the panic of people running, horses bucking, birds fleeing and rocks falling.
The centurion makes an authoritative decision. "Surely he was the Son of God!" A statement that his men and others must have heard, only adding to the sense of foreboding awe. This very day both the rocks and history split into two and God began to present the question and choice to every human: "But what about you... Who do you say that I am?"
One Centurion on what would have been an ordinary day of keeping order was witness to the day that shook the city and the world. Perhaps he had heard of Jesus of Nazareth or even seen the crowds that followed him. He may have even been an acquaintance of the centurion who's servant was healed by Christ. (Matt 8) He certainly saw the huge crowds watching this crucifixion. He saw some crying and others mocking. He saw the sign over his head, "This is Jesus. The King of the Jews" He even heard Christ promise one of the other crucified thieves next to him the promise of paradise! There must have been a lot of thinking and considering behind his steely-eyed gaze as he stood watch with his soldiers over this eerie event.
What made this Jesus so special? Another rabble-rouser Jewish extremist? But somehow he doesn't fit the profile. And why do the priests and religionists hate him so much? Why are they so threatened? In the midst of thought suddenly Jesus clears his throat and yells, "It is finished!" and gives up his spirit as if by choice and purpose. (John 19:30) Then a violent earthquake! Everything is shaking! The loud and dramatic waves of earth moving power is rumbling through every soul causing terror, screams near and far... the panic of people running, horses bucking, birds fleeing and rocks falling.
The centurion makes an authoritative decision. "Surely he was the Son of God!" A statement that his men and others must have heard, only adding to the sense of foreboding awe. This very day both the rocks and history split into two and God began to present the question and choice to every human: "But what about you... Who do you say that I am?"
Actually.... He is the Son of God!
He knew what was going to happen. He went through with it anyway....
