And, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were split;
All Commentaries on Matthew 27:51 Go To Matthew 27
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
The veil of the temple was rent. As there were in the temple two parts of the sanctuary, so there were two veils, or partition walls. The first sanctuary, called the holy, was separated by a veil from that part of the temple called the court of the Israelites. Into this outward sanctuary, called the holy, entered every day the priests that were in office. The second interior sanctuary, called the holy of holies, was also separated from the outward sanctuary by another veil. And into this holy of holies, no one was to enter except the high priest, and he but once a-year. Both these veils seem to have been rent at Christ's death: and by their being broken down, was signified first, that the ceremonies of the ancient law were to be abolished by the law of Christ; and also that heaven should be open to all.
The earth quaked. How far this earthquake was extended, is uncertain.
The rocks were rent, and the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints . arose. St. Jerome takes notice, that these saints did not rise with their bodies till after Christ was risen; and so it follows, that going out of the graves, after the resurrection, they came into the holy city, (i.e. into Jerusalem) and appeared to many. (Witham)
This event was a prophecy of the fatal destruction that was shortly to fall upon the temple; and also, that it should henceforth give place to things more noble and sublime. It likewise shows that greatness of Christ's power. (St. Chrysostom, hom. lxxxix.)
