Topical Bible: Vail: of the Temple

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Topical Encyclopedia

The vail of the Temple holds significant theological and symbolic importance within the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the New Testament. The vail, or veil, served as a physical barrier within the Temple in Jerusalem, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. This inner sanctum was where the presence of God was believed to dwell, and only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16).

Construction and Description

The vail of the Temple was a large, ornate curtain, described in Exodus 26:31-33 as being made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman. This description pertains to the Tabernacle, the precursor to the Temple, but the vail in Solomon's Temple and later in Herod's Temple would have followed a similar design, maintaining its role as a sacred divider.

Symbolism and Function

The vail symbolized the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It underscored the holiness of God and the need for atonement and purification before entering His presence. The restricted access to the Holy of Holies highlighted the gravity of sin and the necessity of mediation through the priesthood and sacrificial system.

The Tearing of the Vail

A pivotal moment in the New Testament is the tearing of the vail at the time of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. According to the Gospel of Matthew, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51). This event is also recorded in Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45. The tearing of the vail is rich in theological significance, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. It signifies the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new covenant, where believers have direct access to God through Christ, the ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12).

Theological Implications

The tearing of the vail is interpreted as a divine act, emphasizing that it was torn "from top to bottom," indicating that it was God's initiative, not man's. This act represents the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, as Jesus declared, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). The event marks the transition from the old covenant, centered on the Temple and its rituals, to the new covenant, centered on Christ and His redemptive work.

Access to God

With the vail torn, believers are invited to approach God with confidence. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this newfound access: "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body" (Hebrews 10:19-20). This passage underscores the belief that through Jesus' sacrifice, the faithful are granted direct access to God's presence, no longer requiring an earthly mediator.

In summary, the vail of the Temple serves as a profound symbol of both separation and reconciliation. Its tearing at the crucifixion of Christ marks a transformative moment in biblical history, encapsulating the essence of the Gospel message: reconciliation with God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 3:14
And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and worked cherubim thereon.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

2665. katapetasma -- a curtain (the inner veil of the temple)
... compound of kata and a congener of petomai; something spread thoroughly, ie (specially)
the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple -- vail. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2665.htm - 6k

Library

The Tenth Chapter of the Gospel of John. Of the Shepherd, and the ...
... Accordingly when He was hanging on the Cross, the vail of the temple was rent from
the top even to the bottom; [4093] and the Apostle Paul says expressly, "But ...
/.../sermon lxxxvii the tenth chapter.htm

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... into heaven. Yet he did not ascend there before Christ, nor before the
vail of the temple had been rent in twain.". But to these ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

The Gospel According to Peter.
... forsaken me. And when he had said it he was taken up. And in that hour the
vail of the temple of Jerusalem was rent in twain. [7]. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of peter/the gospel according to peter.htm

The House of Many Mansions.
... From the cross he went to rend the vail of the temple "thus signifying that the
way into heaven was now open." On the cross he shed the blood that cleanses us ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the house of many mansions.htm

Letter Lx. --To Adelphius , Bishop and Confessor: against the ...
... actual cross (for it was His Body and the Word was in it), the sun was darkened
and the earth shook, the rocks were rent, and the vail of the temple rent, and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter lx to adelphius bishop.htm

Acts I
... cross. Then "the vail of the temple was rent in two from the top to the
bottom," indicating the end of that dispensation. All the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts i.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... The act pointed out precisely what was represented by the rending of the
vail of the temple, when Jesus suffered on the cross. Both ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Index of Subjects.
... U. Uncial manuscripts, 60, 373, 384. Uncleanness, Levitical, 606. V. Vail of the
tabernacle, 586, seq. Vail of the temple, rending of the, 603. Valentinus, 49. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

Synoptical Table
... And when he had said it he was taken up. 20 And in that hour the vail
of the temple of Jerusalem was rent in twain. Matthew. 54 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/synoptical table.htm

Scriptural Types.
... are informed, accordingly, that when Christ cried upon the cross with a loud voice,
"It is finished," and gave up the ghost, "the vail of the temple was rent ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm