Matthew 27:45-54

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:51

And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in twain ,.... Just at the time that Christ spake with so loud a voice, and expired, and which was at the time of the offering up of the evening incense; and so must be seen by the priest that was then offering, and those that assisted him, for the incense altar was near the vail; and which must be a very astonishing sight unto them: the vail was of a very great thickness; it was made of fine twined linen, Exodus 26:31 , and it is a rule with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:52

And the graves were opened ,.... Which were near the city of Jerusalem: this was a proof of Christ's power over death and the grave, by dying; when he through death, destroyed him that had the power of it, and abolished death itself; and became the plague of death and the destruction of the grave, taking into his hands the keys of hell and death: and many bodies of saints which slept, arose : not that they arose at the time of Christ's death: the graves were opened then, when the earth... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:53

And came out of the graves after his resurrection ,.... The resurrection of Christ; for he rose as the first fruits, as the first begotten of the dead, and the firstborn from the dead; for he was the first that was raised to an immortal life; for though others were raised before him, by himself, and in the times of the prophets, yet to a mortal life; but these saints came forth to the resurrection of life, and therefore it was necessary that Christ the first fruits, should rise first. The... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:54

Now, when the centurion ,.... That was over the band of soldiers, that mocked Christ in Pilate's hall, and who was particularly over the guard of soldiers, set about the cross of Christ: and they that were with him, watching Jesus : the soldiers that were with him, who were set to watch the cross of Christ, lest he should come down, or any should take him down from thence, See Gill on Matthew 27:36 . Saw the earthquake, and those things that were done ; as besides that, the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:45

There was darkness over all the land - I am of opinion that πασαν την γην does not mean all the world, but only the land of Judea. So the word is used Matthew 24:30 ; Luke 4:25 , and in other places. Several eminent critics are of this opinion: Beza defends this meaning of the word, and translates the Greek, super universam Regionem over the whole Country. Besides, it is evident that the evangelists speak of things that happened in Judea, the place of their residence. It is plain... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:46

My God! My God! why hast thou forsaken me! - These words are quoted by our Lord from Psalm 22:1 ; they are of very great importance, and should be carefully considered. Some suppose "that the divinity had now departed from Christ, and that his human nature was left unsupported to bear the punishment due to men for their sins." But this is by no means to be admitted, as it would deprive his sacrifice of its infinite merit, and consequently leave the sin of the world without an atonement.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:47

This man calleth for Elias - Probably these were Hellenistic Jews, who did not fully understand the meaning of our Lord's words. Elijah was daily expected to appear as the forerunner of the Messiah, whose arrival, under the character of a mighty prince, was generally supposed to be at hand throughout the east. See Malachi 4:5 ; Matthew 2:2-4 ; Matthew 17:10-12 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:48

Took a sponge - This being the most convenient way to reach a liquid to his mouth; tied it on a reed, that they might be able to reach his lips with it. This reed, as we learn from St. John, was a stalk of hyssop, which, in that country, must have grown to a considerable magnitude. This appears also to have been done in mercy, to alleviate his sufferings. See Matthew 27:34 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:49

After this verse, BCL and five others add, Another, taking a spear, pierced his side, and there came out blood and water. Several of the fathers add the same words here: they appear, however, to be an interpolation from John 19:34 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 27:50

Yielded up the ghost - Αφηκε το πνευμα , He dismissed the spirit. He himself willingly gave up that life which it was impossible for man to take away. It is not said that he hung on the cross till he died through pain and agony; nor is it said that his bones were broken, the sooner to put him out of pain, and to hasten his death; but that himself dismissed the soul, that he might thus become, not a forced sacrifice, but a free-will offering for sin. Now, as our English word ghost, from... read more

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