Matthew 27:51-54 51And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom and the earth shook and the rocks were split, 52and the tombs were opened and many bodies of the holy ones who had fallen asleep were raised, 53and after coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54And when the centurion and those keeping watch with him over Jesus saw the earthquake and what the things that took place, they were greatly afraid, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
All of time altered at the moment of Jesus’ death, for God’s plan of salvation that had been fulfilled. The Second Adam had come to the rescue of the descendants of the first Adam. There were signs that gave testimony to what only heaven knew. First, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. The veil separated the holy place from the most holy place in the temple. God’s presence was said to dwell in the holy of holies in the temple. Only the high priest could go in there on the Day of Atonement. This curtain was thick and heavy and could not be torn by human means. The tear from top to bottom symbolizes that God ended the separation. Everyone now had access to the holy presence of God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (Hebrews 10:19-20). The earth itself bore witness to this moment by an earthquake. The timing was not accidental but proof to those with the eyes of faith.
Verses 52-53 account the strange event of the resurrection of holy people. At first glance, the skeptic might say that the open tombs, which were basically caves, were burst open by the earthquake. But that bodies were raised could not be caused by an earthquake. The New Testament put our hope of resurrection at Jesus’ second coming, but resurrection is possible only because of Jesus’ death on the cross. The physical bodies of these holy ones had obviously decayed. Their resurrection was the type we look forward to, with a new type of existence. Their appearance to people left no doubt in the power of God inaugurated by the new covenant of Jesus’ death on the cross. The theology behind this part of the story is significant and prepares for what the writers of the rest of the New Testament will describe.
The final testimony comes from the soldiers guarding Jesus. They had likely been there all day, bored, playing dice, keeping the crowds under control, and watching three condemned men die. But this was no common execution. Strange things were happening. The centurion was likely the one in charge of the whole event. He was a person of substantial position and responsibility. To include him here with the rest of the lower level soldiers adds further weight to their testimony. The ironic part of this story is that the enemy soldiers are the only ones to recognize Jesus’ true identity. Truly shows the surety of their statement. There was no doubt in their minds that this was an unusual situation. Did any of them become believers through these events? Did they even understand what Son of God meant? Caesar proclaimed himself the son of a god. So for a Roman solder to recognize another divine person could get them into trouble. Matthew makes the identity of Jesus very clear. The accusation that got Jesus crucified was confirmed to be true by those outside the people of God who should have known Jesus’ identity.
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