“They crucified him” (John 19:1). He wasn’t the first to die on a cross—it’s been estimated that by the time of Christ the Romans had crucified 30,000 men in Palestine alone. Nor would He be the last. Jesus was, however, the only One who could and did die on a cross for the sins of a lost world, “the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God” (1 Pet. 3:18).
To attest to the uniqueness of Jesus’ death, Matthew records four phenomenal events that took place when Jesus died. The Gospel writer doesn’t explain their meaning; he simply records them. John MacArthur has called these events God’s own commentary on the cross.
The Darkness
What happened:
Jesus was placed on the cross at 9 a.m. (Mark 15:25), then “from noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land” (Matt. 27:45).
The significance:
In the Old Testament, darkness is frequently a sign of judgment (see Amos 5:18; 8:9). Recall that the ninth plague of the exodus event was darkness over the land of Egypt for a period of three days—a darkness that could be felt (Ex. 10:21-22). After the plague of darkness came the death of the firstborn sons (Ex. 11:4-5). Darkness preceded death.
Likewise, on the cross darkness preceded the death of God’s Son. The significance? On the cross, our sins were placed vicariously on the sinless Son and God poured out His judgment on Christ, our Substitute. Darkness as a sign of divine judgment highlights the substitutionary nature of Christ’s death. On the cross, Jesus endured the judgment of God upon our sin (see Gal. 3:13; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24).
The Curtain
What happened:
“The curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51).
The significance:
Some Bible scholars have suggested this was the curtain that separated the court of the Jews from the court of the Gentiles. This would make sense in light of Ephesians 2:14, where Paul said Christ has torn down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. Other Bible scholars, however, believe this was the curtain that separated the holy of holies from the other parts of the temple. The holy of holies was associated with God’s presence. Worshipers could never enter the holy of holies—only the high priest once a year (Lev. 16).
The tearing of the temple curtain signifies that the way to God has been opened for all people through Christ. That the curtain was torn from top to bottom signifies this was the work of God, not of human effort (see Heb. 9:12; 10:19-20).
The Earthquake
What happened:
“The earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matt. 27:51).
The significance:
Earthquakes were common in Palestine, though there was nothing common about this one. The timing and accompanying events suggest this was a supernatural event.
Earthquakes in the Bible often accompanied divine revelation or a unique act of God. When God appeared to Moses on Sinai to give His law, “the whole mountain shook violently” (Ex. 19:18). Warren Wiersbe connects the earthquake at Jesus’ death to the Sinai event, suggesting that the earthquake at Calvary signified that the demands of the law were fulfilled in Christ.
Other scholars have noted the connection between the rock-splitting earthquake at Jesus’ death and the splitting of the temple curtain. Stuart Weber wrote, the earthquake reflected “the immensity of the ‘earth-shaking’ revolution that had just taken place with the splitting of the curtain.” (Holman New Testament Commentary)
The Dead Raised
What happened:
“The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matt. 27:52).
The significance:
The opening of the tombs would likely have occurred as a result of the earthquake. The miracle was the raising of many saints from the dead. These would have been Old Testament saints.
These resurrections demonstrate Jesus’ victory over death. They are a foretaste of what will come at the end of time, the final resurrection of which Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “the dead in Christ will rise” (see also 1 Cor. 15:20-23). Thus, they symbolize the hope all believers have because of the death and resurrection of Christ.
How do these four phenomenal events at the cross rule out the possibility of a works-based salvation?
Mike Livingstone is a content editor at Lifeway for Explore the Bible resources.
Where is it found that Jesus first went to the grave and preach there?
Hello,
In response to your question on the Explore the Bible blog, I believe the Bible reference you are looking for is 1 Peter 3:18-20.
HI
Since no one else has replied to your question at the end, “How do these four phenomenal events at the cross rule out the possibility of a works-based salvation?” I figured I might as well. 🙂
First the darkness. Christ is the one who bore our sin. As spiritually unclean beings we would all be damned, having no real way to pay for our sins. Christ had to do so for us so that we could be cleansed from sin.
Then the curtain. It’s Christ who made it possible for us, Jew and Gentile, to return to the presence of God. No one else could have done this.
Then the earthquake. I’m not as certain as to the connection, but given what you said and what makes sense to me, it’s a proclamation that Christ’s act had been accepted and we were now to live under His new gospel in order to receive eternal life.
Finally, the dead raised. It’s Christ who broke the bands of death, making it possible for us to rise again. Through Christ, death is not the end and we can have hope.
In summary, it’s through Christ that we can be saved from sin and death and return to the presence of God. Because of what He has done we can live His gospel and receive eternal life. What we do doesn’t save us, Christ saves us, as we do what He asks.
How’d I do? 🙂
Side note, my previous post is what Mormon’s believe, despite many misunderstandings saying otherwise. I bring this up because your question seems to be targeted at least a bit as a denunciation of them. From my studies, the controversy isn’t actually on whether or not Christ or works saves us (Christ, for sure, is the one who saves us) but what He asks of us to do. Mormon’s believe that a significant part of having faith is acting on that belief, or “repenting,” which includes avoiding being sinful (like the Pharisees, Matthew 23:29-33, or the whoremongers, Ephesians 5:5), focusing on Christ (too many scriptures to count), doing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21-23), and, when we do sin and have received Christ’s forgiveness, “sin no more” (John 8:1-11).
Another aspect that leads to controversy is that Mormon’s believe in living revelation in which God can give mankind additional commandments that need to be followed besides the ones that are spelled out in the Bible. Nonetheless, this doesn’t change the fact that Mormon’s believe in a Christ based salvation, not a work-based salvation.
Does that make sense? Hopefully this was a useful viewpoint on what a Christ-based salvation can look like.
That was a very wonderful response to the question. It gave me something more to see and study on. Thank You for taking the time to answer… Stay Blessed
In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. Who is the word
The Word of God talked about in John 1 is Christ.
Christ Jesus his purpose of coming to earth was “To free the captives! …… ” Luke 4:18-19 … not just some of mankind, but ALL of it ….. if they believe in what He accomplished for them … FREEDOM … read John 3:16 …. WHOSOVER believes.
In light of Gal 2:20 … Paul saying, “I WAS crucified WITH Christ … it is no longer I who live, BUT Christ Who lives in me!” … He was only “called” (saw the Light) a few years AFTER Jesus’ crucifixion, so how could he be crucified WITH Christ …. unless it was a spiritual crucifixion.
I see that as Father gathered ALL human spirits & placed them in His Son on the cross so they would be cleansed by His blood & freed …. thus Jesus’ last words included … “It is finished!” (I HAVE accomplished what I came to earth for … to free ALL the captives).
So ALL IT TAKES is for anyone (whosever) to turn to the LIGHT & see that they have been set free by Jesus paying the price on the cross for ALL sin …. God so loved THE WORLD …. not just a few individuals.
Why hasn’t the world turned to the Light to see the truth … “I am free!” ….. because Satan, the master deceiver, masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14) & the vast majority of the world have looked at his light & see worldly ways, wealth, possessions, etc. as “the way”. …….. Father is LOVE (1 John 4:8) & He gives ALL men freedom of choice …. sadly so, so many choose the wrong light to look at!
Father’s plan is simple … our union with Lord Jesus (our Saviour) & what it achieves (when we simply rest in Him) …. 1 John 4:17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion {and} attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.
Love overcomes all things (for us) …. BELIEVE! NOTHING is impossible for God! (Luke 1:37)
The most significant “happening” is that Father wiped all men’s sins away … a what Paul said in Gal 2 :20 … I have been crucified WITH Christ …. it is NO LONGER I who live ….. & he stated this after “He saw the Light” & a few days later was baptised (as Jesus was … full immersion …. this happened maybe 2-3 years AFTER Chris Jesus was crucified.
SO … all that is required by anyone … as stated in John 3:16 …… God so loved THE WORLD …. “whoever believes” …. & looks to the Light to see that He HAS set them free (whereas men prefer darkness over Light).
The price was paid for ALL men (their spirits cleaned) ….. simply turn to the Light …. AND believe!
He has been taking care of me for 29 years & led & directed me in many ways … I haven’t had even a headache or a cold in all that time & part of Father’s drawing (John 6:44) involved completely freeing me from crippling back & body pain …. not a twinge since He delivered me in 1989 … shortly before I committed my life to Him …. became a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
typo … e mail address is [email protected]