ISB ~ Matthew 27 v45

sixth hour … ninth hour:i.e., from noon until 3 P.M. See note on Mt 20:1.

• The phenomena surrounding the Crucifixion recall Amos 8:8-10. In context, Amos prophesies the day of the Lord, when God would judge his enemies and the sinners of his people. On this day, the land would “tremble”, the sun would “go down at noon”, and there would be “lamentation” like the “mourning for an only son”.

• Symbolically (St. Cyprian, De bono patientiae, 7): the disturbances of Good Friday signify creation’s distress over the death of its Creator. The sun in particular withdraws its rays to look away, lest it be forced to gaze upon the crime of Jesus’ enemies.