King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:51 Mean?

Matthew 27:51 in the King James Version says “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

Matthew 27:51 · KJV

Context

49

The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Read Matthew 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent. At Jesus's death, supernatural signs manifested God's response. 'Behold' (ἰδού/idou) calls attention to the extraordinary events. These were not coincidental natural phenomena but divine validation of Christ's atoning death.

'The veil of the temple was rent' (τὸ καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ ἐσχίσθη/to katapetasma tou naou eschisthē)—the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn. This was no ordinary curtain but a massive, thick veil that human hands could not easily tear. Josephus describes the veil as hand-breadth thick (about 4 inches), woven of fine linen, 60 feet high. Its tearing required supernatural power.

'From the top to the bottom' (ἀπ' ἄνωθεν ἕως κάτω/ap' anōthen heōs katō)—crucial detail showing God tore it from heaven downward, not humans from earth upward. This demonstrated divine action, not human vandalism. The direction symbolizes God initiating access to His presence from His side, not our efforts earning access from our side.

The theological significance is profound: the veil represented the barrier between holy God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest could pass through it, once yearly on the Day of Atonement, with blood sacrifice (Leviticus 16). The veil's tearing signified that Christ's death opened the way into God's presence for all believers (Hebrews 10:19-20). No more need for human priests, animal sacrifices, or annual rituals—Jesus has provided permanent, perfect access to God.

'The earth did quake, and the rocks rent' (ἡ γῆ ἐσείσθη καὶ αἱ πέτραι ἐσχίσθησαν/hē gē eseisthē kai hai petrai eschisthēsan)—creation responded to its Creator's death. These signs echo Sinai's earthquake when God gave the Law (Exodus 19:18). If Sinai quaked at God giving the Law, how much more should earth quake when God fulfills it through His Son's atoning death?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Jerusalem temple, built by Herod the Great (begun 20 BC), was one of antiquity's architectural marvels. The veil hung in front of the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), which contained only the stone tablets of the covenant (the Ark having been lost during the Babylonian captivity). Only the high priest entered once yearly on Yom Kippur to sprinkle blood for atonement.

The veil's tearing would have occurred in the priests' presence—it was about 3 PM, the time of the evening sacrifice. Priests witnessing this supernatural event would have been terrified. Some early Christians may have included priests who converted after witnessing such signs (Acts 6:7: 'a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith').

Josephus records numerous ominous signs preceding Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70—doors opening spontaneously, supernatural lights, voices declaring God's departure from the temple. The veil's tearing in AD 30 was the first sign that the old covenant temple system was ending. Indeed, forty years later, the temple would be destroyed, making animal sacrifice impossible and vindicating Christ's perfect, final sacrifice.

The earthquake and rock-splitting recall prophetic imagery of the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:10, Nahum 1:5-6). Creation itself testified that its Creator had died and that this death accomplished cosmic significance—nothing less than redemption for a fallen world.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the veil's tearing from top to bottom (God's initiative, not ours) illustrate the doctrine of grace—that God opens access to Himself through Christ's work, not our efforts?
  2. What does the timing of the veil's tearing (at Jesus's death, not resurrection) teach us about the cross being the actual moment when atonement was accomplished?
  3. How should the reality that we now have bold access to God's presence (Hebrews 10:19) through the torn veil affect our prayer life and confidence in approaching God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
καὶ1 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδού,2 of 21

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

τὸ3 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καταπέτασμα4 of 21

“the veil”

G2665

something spread thoroughly, i.e., (specially) the door screen (to the most holy place) in the jewish temple

τοῦ5 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ναοῦ6 of 21

“of the temple”

G3485

a fane, shrine, temple

ἐσχίσθησαν7 of 21

“rent”

G4977

to split or sever (literally or figuratively)

εἰς8 of 21

“in”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

δύο9 of 21

“twain”

G1417

"two"

ἀπὸ10 of 21

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἄνωθεν11 of 21

“the top”

G509

from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew

ἕως12 of 21

“to”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

κάτω13 of 21

“the bottom”

G2736

downwards

καὶ14 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆ16 of 21

“the earth”

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ἐσείσθη17 of 21

“did quake”

G4579

to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e., (generally) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figuratively, to throw into a

καὶ18 of 21

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αἱ19 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πέτραι20 of 21

“the rocks”

G4073

a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively)

ἐσχίσθησαν21 of 21

“rent”

G4977

to split or sever (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 27:51 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 27:51 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:19-22Mark 15:38Hebrews 6:19Luke 23:45Revelation 11:19Exodus 26:31-37

Test Your Knowledge

Matthew 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMatthew Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Matthew 27 with CommentaryAll Matthew ChaptersComplete Matthew QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes