Topical Bible: The Death of Christ: Accompanied by Supernatural Signs

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The death of Jesus Christ stands as a pivotal event in Christian theology, marked not only by its redemptive significance but also by a series of supernatural signs that underscored its divine importance. These signs, recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, serve as a testament to the cosmic and spiritual impact of Christ's crucifixion.

Darkness Over the Land

One of the most striking supernatural occurrences during the crucifixion was the darkness that enveloped the land. According to the Gospel of Matthew, "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land" (Matthew 27:45). This phenomenon, occurring from noon until three in the afternoon, defied natural explanation and symbolized the gravity of the moment as the Light of the World was being extinguished.

The Tearing of the Temple Veil

Another significant sign was the tearing of the temple veil. Matthew records, "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51). The veil, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, represented the barrier between God and humanity. Its tearing signified the new access to God made possible through Christ's sacrificial death, fulfilling the promise of reconciliation and the establishment of a new covenant.

The Earthquake and the Resurrection of Saints

The Gospel of Matthew also describes an earthquake that occurred at the moment of Jesus' death: "The earth quaked, and the rocks were split" (Matthew 27:51). This seismic event symbolized the shaking of the old order and the inauguration of a new era in salvation history. Furthermore, Matthew notes the resurrection of many saints: "The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised" (Matthew 27:52). This miraculous event prefigured the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of believers, affirming the victory over death achieved through the crucifixion.

The Centurion's Confession

The supernatural signs accompanying Christ's death also led to a profound confession of faith by the Roman centurion and those with him. Witnessing the events, they exclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54). This acknowledgment by a Gentile soldier highlights the universal scope of Christ's mission and the recognition of His divine identity, even by those outside the Jewish faith.

Theological Implications

The supernatural signs surrounding the death of Christ carry deep theological implications. They affirm the divine nature of Jesus and the salvific purpose of His death. The darkness, the tearing of the veil, the earthquake, and the resurrection of saints collectively underscore the cosmic significance of the crucifixion, marking the defeat of sin and death and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. These events invite believers to reflect on the profound mystery of the cross and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 27:45,51-53
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land to the ninth hour.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

J. The Death and Burial. Ch. 23:44-56
... The death of Christ was an event of such supreme importance that it properly
was accompanied by supernatural signs of deep significance. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/j the death and burial.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... Section 14. The Miraculous Events that accompanied the Birth of Christ. Section
15. ... Section 293. Phenomena accompanying the Death of Christ: the Earthquake ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

The Death of Jesus
... this alone among the dying words of Christ. ... And the centurion, seeing that His death
itself was abnormal and miraculous, and accompanied with miraculous ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 33-41 the death of.htm

Raising of Jairus's Daughter. --And of the Widow's Son at Nain.
... in an entirely natural way, from a death that was ... On a journey, accompanied by his
disciples, and by ... But, although we cannot decide that Christ had reference ...
/.../section 134 raising of jairuss.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Grace, power of, [427]84; supernatural, [428]132 ... answered, [795]448; to be accompanied
by works ... Prophets, the: witnesses to Christ's death and resurrection, [805 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

The Founder of Christianity.
... gathered in joyful adoration around the Christ-child, and ... his deepest humiliation
even to the death on the ... The miracles or signs which accompanied his teaching ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his ... John 16:13) but is here to
glorify Christ, so the ... as the advent of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by the ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

Ephesus
... The power of God accompanied his efforts, and many were healed ... by the Mosaic law,
on pain of death, yet from ... of the sacredness of the name of Christ, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 27 ephesus.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... the City and brought with him for a last mournful farewell the Virgin, accompanied
by those ... John, who, perhaps, immediately on the death of Christ, left the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
... not afraid to be justified even to death: for the ... 7); not as if the measure of Christ
were unequal ... this: Is the increase of sanctifying grace accompanied by a ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the properties of.htm