Luke 23:44 - It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
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What does "Luke 23:44" mean?
Luke 23:44 describes a period of unusual darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. Let's break down the verse:
"It was now about the sixth hour..." In the Roman method of timekeeping (likely used by Luke), the sixth hour would correspond to about noon (12 PM).
"...and darkness came over the whole land..." This is the key event. A period of darkness descended upon the region. "Whole land" is often interpreted as referring to Judea or the area around Jerusalem. The Greek word used here suggests a widespread or general darkness.
"...until the ninth hour." The ninth hour would be about 3 PM.
Therefore, the verse states that around noon, darkness fell over the land for a period of approximately three hours, lasting until 3 PM.
Interpretations and Significance
The darkness at the crucifixion is a significant and much-discussed event in Christian theology. Here are some common interpretations:
Sign of Divine Judgment: Many believe the darkness was a supernatural event, a sign of God's judgment upon the world and specifically upon those responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. The darkness is often linked to Old Testament prophecies about the "day of the Lord," which often involve cosmic disturbances.
Symbolic Representation: The darkness could symbolize the spiritual darkness of sin and the suffering Jesus endured. It represents the weight of the world's sin being placed on him.
Mourning of Creation: Some interpretations suggest that creation itself mourned the death of its creator.
Historical/Astronomical Event: Some scholars have attempted to explain the darkness as a natural phenomenon, such as a solar eclipse or a dust storm. However, a solar eclipse is unlikely, because it was Passover, which takes place at the time of the full moon. In addition, a solar eclipse would only last for a few minutes, not three hours. While a dust storm is possible, it does not fully account for the language "over the whole land" and the other supernatural events recorded at the crucifixion.
In summary:
The verse describes a three-hour period of darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus, starting around noon. This event is widely understood by Christians as a supernatural sign of divine judgment, a symbolic representation of sin and suffering, or a manifestation of creation's mourning. While some natural explanations have been proposed, the supernatural interpretation remains the most prevalent understanding within Christian theology.
Luke 23:44 - It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
What does "Luke 23:44" mean?
Luke 23:44 describes a period of unusual darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. Let's break down the verse:
"It was now about the sixth hour..." In the Roman method of timekeeping (likely used by Luke), the sixth hour would correspond to about noon (12 PM).
"...and darkness came over the whole land..." This is the key event. A period of darkness descended upon the region. "Whole land" is often interpreted as referring to Judea or the area around Jerusalem. The Greek word used here suggests a widespread or general darkness.
"...until the ninth hour." The ninth hour would be about 3 PM.
Therefore, the verse states that around noon, darkness fell over the land for a period of approximately three hours, lasting until 3 PM.
Interpretations and Significance
The darkness at the crucifixion is a significant and much-discussed event in Christian theology. Here are some common interpretations:
Sign of Divine Judgment: Many believe the darkness was a supernatural event, a sign of God's judgment upon the world and specifically upon those responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. The darkness is often linked to Old Testament prophecies about the "day of the Lord," which often involve cosmic disturbances.
Symbolic Representation: The darkness could symbolize the spiritual darkness of sin and the suffering Jesus endured. It represents the weight of the world's sin being placed on him.
Mourning of Creation: Some interpretations suggest that creation itself mourned the death of its creator.
Historical/Astronomical Event: Some scholars have attempted to explain the darkness as a natural phenomenon, such as a solar eclipse or a dust storm. However, a solar eclipse is unlikely, because it was Passover, which takes place at the time of the full moon. In addition, a solar eclipse would only last for a few minutes, not three hours. While a dust storm is possible, it does not fully account for the language "over the whole land" and the other supernatural events recorded at the crucifixion.
In summary:
The verse describes a three-hour period of darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus, starting around noon. This event is widely understood by Christians as a supernatural sign of divine judgment, a symbolic representation of sin and suffering, or a manifestation of creation's mourning. While some natural explanations have been proposed, the supernatural interpretation remains the most prevalent understanding within Christian theology.