For three hours darkness came over the land, this was an unnatural darkness, and in keeping with the momentous events that were taking place. Jesus then cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me". The religious leaders, the Roman authorities and the crowd thought that Jesus was being condemned. Yes Jesus was being condemned, but only because our sin was laid upon Him. This was a judgement on man. Jesus took upon Himself the judgement that should have been ours, resulting ultimately in the Father rejecting Him because of our sin.
The Aramaic for "My God" was "Eli", hence some people thinking Jesus was calling upon Elijah. One of the crowd offered Jesus a drink of wine vinegar. The crowd thought Jesus was finished.
Jesus then cried out and gave up His spirit. Jesus was dead.
Then the curtain that separated man from God in the temple was torn in two, signifying that the dividing wall between man and God had been broken. Also the bodies of many holy people were raised to life. Matthew says this happened after the resurrection of Jesus and appeared to many people. Quite frankly many find this verse embarrassing. My study Bible has no comment on verses 52 and 53, which is ridiculous. Matthew clearly presents this as an attestable fact. It is strange that none of the other gospels refer to it. It also raises questions as to what type of resurrection it was. Was it like Lazarus, and they then died a "normal" death later. Or did they ascend to heaven at some point later?
The centurion and other soldiers saw that something amazing and terrifying had happened. This was no ordinary crucifixion. So much so that it convinced them that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Many women were watching the events from a distance.
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