![]() ![]() The centurion received insight into the death of our Lord, realizing by the manner of His death that He was the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Most observers likely thought it was just another crucifixion. Hebrews 10:19–22 makes it clear that this access is into the heavenly throne room.Īpart from divine revelation, the darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and the earthquake that occurred when Jesus died could all be interpreted as mere coincidences. There are good arguments for either possibility, but no matter which curtain was torn, the message is clear: Jesus' death opens up access for people that was not possible for them before. Only Jewish men could pass through the latter curtain into the Court of Israel the women were excluded. One thief was saved and more than likely one centurion (and possibly more) were as well. Even at the cross this 'Jesus encounter' led to salvation. No one could go past the former curtain into the Holy of Holies except the high priest, and then only once a year (Lev. That was the testimony of a previous unbeliever that was a personal witness to Jesus' crucifixion that day. Most commentators see in his reluctance for Jesus to come to him a demonstration of respect for Jewish separatism from Gentiles. 7 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. It is striking that this powerful Gentile officer speaks to a simple Jewish carpenter’s son, calling him Lord. Mark does not tell us whether this was the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place or the curtain that separated the Court of the Women from the Court of Israel. The words the centurion relayed to Jesus represent some of the most humble and moving words ever spoken. Second, we read in Mark 15:37–38 that the "curtain of the temple" was torn in two. 27:51–54 reports a third, an earthquake.) First, darkness fell over the land, signifying Jesus' dying under the divine curse, as we have seen (v. ![]() Mark reports two unusual aspects to Christ's crucifixion, however. The same processes of scourging and hanging on the cross were followed in every crucifixion. In many respects, the crucifixion of Jesus was not unlike the crucifixion of others in the ancient world. In any case, we know that Jesus was not crying for Elijah but was crying out as He bore the wrath of God against the sin of His people. Probably, they misheard Jesus' cry of "Eloi, Eloi" as "Elijah, Elijah," or simply thought He was trying to speak the prophet's name as He suffered there. Given such a belief, we find it unsurprising that some of the bystanders who watched Jesus hang on the cross believed He was crying out for Elijah's help (Mark 15:35–36). By the first century AD, many Jews believed Elijah would intervene in times of desperate need, descending from heaven to give supernatural assistance. That event, plus Elijah's notoriety and miracles such as his calling down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:20–40), led to much speculation. Rather, God took him directly to heaven via a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1–14). Elijah, one of the most well known of all the Hebrew prophets, did not die a physical death. ![]()
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