ACC ~ Matthew 27 v51 - 52

THE CURTAIN TORN IN TWO

ORIGEN: Anyone who searches the Scriptures with some diligence will see that there were two curtains, an inner curtain which covered the Holy of Holies and another curtain exterior to either the tabernacle or the temple. These two curtains are figures of the holy tabernacle which the Father prepared from the beginning. [1] Of the two curtains, one “was torn into two parts from the top all the way to the bottom.” This happened at the time when Jesus “cried out with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.” [2] Thereby the divine mystery was revealed that in the Passion of the Lord our Savior the outer curtain was torn from the top, which represents the beginning of the world, to the bottom, representing the end of the world. Thus by the tearing of the curtain the mysteries were disclosed, which with good reason had been hidden until the coming of Christ. Both the outer curtain and inner curtain would have been torn if it had not been the case that we still know only “in part” [3] and if it had not been the case that everything were already revealed to the beloved disciples of Christ who constitute his body. As it is, however, because we are being brought gradually to the knowledge of new things, only the outer curtain is “torn from top to bottom.” But “when the perfect comes” [4] and the other things which now remain hidden are revealed, then the second curtain may also be removed. We will then see even the things which were hidden within the second curtain: the true ark of the covenant, the cherubim, the true mercy seat and the storehouse of manna in a golden bowl, and all these clearly [5] —and even things greater than these. All of this has been revealed through the law of Moses when God said to him, “Make everything according to their forms which were shown to you on the mountain.” [6] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 138. [7]

[1] Origen refers to Exodus 25:9, 40, in which God tells Moses to set up the tent (a model of the future temple) after the shape of the celestial model shown to him on Mount Sinai.

[2] Mt 27:50.

[3] 1 Cor 13:9.

[4] 1 Cor 13:10.

[5] Heb 9:35.

[6] Ex 25:40.

[7] GCS 38.2:285-86.

THE TEMPLE VEIL TORN

HILARY OF POITIERS: Immediately thereafter the curtain of the temple was torn. After that the people were split into factions. The glory of the curtain along with the protection of its defending angel was taken away. [1] ON MATTHEW 33.7. [2]

[1] This may be a reference to Ezekiel 10, wherein the glory of the Lord is carried away by the cherubim.

[2] SC 258:256.

THE EARTH SHOOK

ORIGEN: “And the earth shook,” that is, all flesh trembled when the new word, the realities of the new covenant, the new song and all new heavenly things came upon them. This is what the prophet wrote concerning this very event: “All [namely, the disciples of Christ] who saw these things trembled and every one was afraid.” [1] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 139. [2]

[1] Ps 64:9 (63:9 LXX).

[2] GCS 38.2:286.

THE ROCKS WERE SPLIT

JEROME: The literal meaning of the great signs is undoubtedly that both heaven and earth and all things within them wished to acclaim their crucified Lord. It seems to me, however, that the trembling earth and other signs also represent a type of believers, namely, those who once were comparable to a graveyard but who, having abandoned the errors of their former ways and having softened their once stony hearts, have come to acknowledge the Creator. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.27.51. [1]

[1] CCL 77:275.

GRAVES WERE OPENED

HILARY OF POITIERS: The earth shook. For the earth could not hold this dead man. Rocks were split, for the Word of God and the power of his eternal goodness rushed in, penetrating every stronghold and principality. Graves were opened, for the gates of death had been unlocked. And a number of the bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose. Dispelling the shadows of death and illuminating the darkness of hell, Christ destroyed the spoils of death itself at the resurrection of the saints, who saw him immediately. The centurion and the guards who witnessed this disturbance of the entire natural order confessed him to be the Son of God. ON MATTHEW 23.7. [1]

[1] SC 258:256.