Matthew 27:51-54: “Truly this was the Son of God”

“Truly this was the Son of God.” The centurion, keeping watch at the cross, proclaiming Jesus, Matthew 27:54

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean…”  (Hebrews 10:19-22)

“Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.’”  (Ezekiel 37:12-13)

The Lamb of God has been sacrificed.  At the moment of His choosing, Jesus “yielded up His spirit,” (27:50).  This is not just the death of one of God’s prophets; this is the death of the incarnate God that changes the entire course of history. As the ESV Study Bible says of this passage, “a new order of things…was now in the process of dawning.”  In order to emphasize this, Matthew records three extra-ordinary, supra-natural events that accompanied the physical death of Jesus.   Matthew also calls our attention to these events by beginning with And behold (v. 51).

The first of the three events is darkness (see v. 45).  The second is the curtain of the temple was torn in two (v. 51).   This was no mere damage report given to a local claims agent; the theological implication of the temple curtain being torn is IMMENSE.   There were two curtains in the temple, one separated the court of Gentiles from the court of the Jews; behind the second curtain was “the Most Holy Place,” (Hebrews 9:3) where the chief priest entered once a year “not without taking blood, which he offers for…the sins of the people,” (Hebrews 9:7). 

Matthew does not specify which curtain was torn.  But the meaning of either curtain being torn is the same.     According to Romans 8:3 (NASB), “What the Law could not do,” in providing a permanent forgiveness, “God did. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin,” the temple is no longer needed as the place of reconciliation.  And note the tear’s direction:  from top to bottom (v. 51).  God did it. D.A. Carson explains why, “Jesus Himself is the New Temple, the meeting place of God and man.” (See Revelation 21:22, Exodus 19:6, Ezekiel 11:16.) 

The third supra-natural event is that the earth shook, and the rocks were split.   The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised (vv. 51-52). Matthew’s main objective of his gospel is to show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesies.  Matthew includes this episode, while the other gospel writers do not, as a way of linking the prophecy of Ezekiel’s dry bones (Ezekiel 37) with its fulfillment in Christ.

This painting is from the walls of the Dura-Europos synagogue located in modern day Syria.   The painting is of Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones from Ezekiel 37.  Maybe I am reading (seeing) too much into this but even though Ezekiel speaks of the graves being opened, Matthew speaks of the rocks splitting as seen here in this painting. 

1 Corinthians 15:20 also refers to Christ as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Firstfruits is a reference to the Old Testament festivals where the first fruits of a harvest were given as a sacrifice (see Exodus 23:16, Leviticus 23:9-10, Nehemiah 10:35-37). The fact that the coming out of the tombs did not happen till after his resurrection identifies Christ as the fulfillment of Israel’s first fruits festival.  Once raised, they went into the holy city and appeared to many (v. 53). Essentially, Matthew’s point was, “Ask around and you will find someone who witnessed this resurrection.” 

A lot has happened over the past 24 hours, of which many of the Roman soldiers witnessed and even participated in: From the arrest of Jesus to the trials, to the beatings and tortures to the crucifixion.   They also witnessed the love, patience, self-control, forgiveness and determination that Jesus displayed.   Therefore it is no surprise that when the centurion, likely the soldier in charge of the crucifixion, and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (v. 54)

This man, who endured great injustice and pain, did so without uttering a curse.   He predicted His death yet did not flee.   Incredible events happened at the moment of His death.  Who do you say He was?  Just another good guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time?  Or do you believe, like the centurion, that He is the Son of God?