What is the meaning of Mark 15:33? From the sixth hour - The “sixth hour” in Jewish timekeeping is noon. High noon is normally the brightest moment of the day, underscoring the supernatural nature of what is about to happen (Luke 23:44). - This midday setting recalls earlier moments when God chose noon to display His power, such as Elijah’s showdown with Baal’s prophets at the time of the noon sacrifice (1 Kings 18:27, 36). - Noon was also when faithful Israelites prayed (Psalm 55:17; Acts 10:9). Jesus, the final and perfect intercessor (Hebrews 7:25), now suffers as our substitute precisely at that hour. until the ninth hour - The darkness lasts three full hours, ending at 3 p.m., the moment of the evening sacrifice prescribed in the Law (Exodus 29:38-41). Jesus fulfills the daily offering once for all (Hebrews 10:11-14). - These hours span the final phase of Jesus’ crucifixion, culminating in His cry, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The extended duration shows this is not a passing cloud but a deliberate sign from God. darkness came - Scripture often uses midday darkness as a sign of divine judgment: “On that day…I will make the sun go down at noon” (Amos 8:9); see also Joel 2:31 and Zephaniah 1:15. - The plague of darkness over Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23) foreshadowed this moment. Just as that plague preceded Israel’s redemption from slavery, this supernatural darkness precedes redemption from sin. - While creation groans (Romans 8:22), the Creator bears sin’s curse (Galatians 3:13). The sun’s light failing mirrors the Father turning His face away as Jesus becomes sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). over all the land - The phrase communicates a widespread, unmistakable event. Luke confirms it covered “the whole land” (Luke 23:44), while Matthew expands, saying “over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). First-century observers outside Scripture also noted this darkness, underscoring its historicity. - Geographically, it envelops Judea, but theologically it speaks to the whole world: “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). - Darkness symbolizes separation from God (1 John 1:5-6). By allowing it on Calvary, the Father makes a way for believers to “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). summary Mark 15:33 records a literal, midday darkness covering the land from noon to 3 p.m. As Jesus hangs on the cross, the Father marks these climactic hours with a visible sign of judgment, fulfillment, and redemption. The timing aligns with the daily sacrifices, the darkness recalls prophetic warnings, and its scope points to salvation offered to the whole world. |
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