Matthew 27:45 - Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
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What does "Matthew 27:45" mean?
Matthew 27:45 describes a period of darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. Let's break down what it likely means and the various interpretations:
Literal Meaning:
"Now from the sixth hour..." The "sixth hour" refers to noon (12:00 PM) in Jewish timekeeping, which started counting from sunrise.
"...there was darkness over all the land..." This indicates a supernatural darkness that enveloped the region. The Greek word for "land" here, ge, can refer to either the "earth" in general or, more specifically, "the land of Israel" or "Judea". Most interpretations lean towards the darkness being regional, impacting the area around Jerusalem, rather than truly global.
"...until the ninth hour." The "ninth hour" corresponds to 3:00 PM. So, the darkness lasted for three hours.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
1. Supernatural Sign: This is the most common and widely accepted interpretation. The darkness is seen as a direct act of God, a miraculous sign of:
Divine Judgment: Expressing God's displeasure at the injustice and sin of Jesus's crucifixion.
Grief and Mourning: Nature itself mourning the death of the Son of God.
A Symbolic Veil: The darkness can represent the separation between God and humanity caused by sin, a separation that Jesus's sacrifice was meant to overcome.
Disruption of the Natural Order: Signifying the immense significance of the event taking place.
2. Eclipse (Less Likely): Some have suggested it could have been a solar eclipse. However, this is highly improbable because:
Passover Timing: The Passover festival, during which Jesus was crucified, occurs during a full moon. Solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon.
Duration: Total solar eclipses typically last only a few minutes, not three hours.
New Testament emphasis on its significance. The Gospels treat the darkness as a highly unusual event with religious significance, not merely a natural phenomenon.
3. Localized Phenomenon: It's possible the darkness was a localized weather event (like a sandstorm or a very dense cloud cover) that was interpreted through a religious lens. However, even in this case, the coincidence of it happening during the crucifixion would be remarkable, and the Gospel writers clearly saw it as a meaningful sign.
Historical and Theological Context:
Old Testament Parallels: Darkness is often associated with divine judgment and times of crisis in the Old Testament (e.g., the plagues in Egypt, prophecies about the Day of the Lord).
Gospel Message: The darkness reinforces the Gospels' message that Jesus's death was a pivotal moment in history, a turning point in God's relationship with humanity.
A foreshadow of the events that were to come. It was a reminder of the darkness that Jesus was facing, and that the followers would encounter, with his death.
In Conclusion:
The darkness described in Matthew 27:45 is most likely a supernatural event, a sign from God signifying the immense importance and profound consequences of Jesus's crucifixion. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence, judgment, and grief in the face of human sin, and the transformative power of Jesus's sacrifice. While alternative explanations exist, they don't fully capture the religious and symbolic weight the Gospel writers attribute to this extraordinary event.
Matthew 27:45 - Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
What does "Matthew 27:45" mean?
Matthew 27:45 describes a period of darkness that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. Let's break down what it likely means and the various interpretations:
Literal Meaning:
"Now from the sixth hour..." The "sixth hour" refers to noon (12:00 PM) in Jewish timekeeping, which started counting from sunrise.
"...there was darkness over all the land..." This indicates a supernatural darkness that enveloped the region. The Greek word for "land" here, ge, can refer to either the "earth" in general or, more specifically, "the land of Israel" or "Judea". Most interpretations lean towards the darkness being regional, impacting the area around Jerusalem, rather than truly global.
"...until the ninth hour." The "ninth hour" corresponds to 3:00 PM. So, the darkness lasted for three hours.
Possible Interpretations and Significance:
1. Supernatural Sign: This is the most common and widely accepted interpretation. The darkness is seen as a direct act of God, a miraculous sign of:
Divine Judgment: Expressing God's displeasure at the injustice and sin of Jesus's crucifixion.
Grief and Mourning: Nature itself mourning the death of the Son of God.
A Symbolic Veil: The darkness can represent the separation between God and humanity caused by sin, a separation that Jesus's sacrifice was meant to overcome.
Disruption of the Natural Order: Signifying the immense significance of the event taking place.
2. Eclipse (Less Likely): Some have suggested it could have been a solar eclipse. However, this is highly improbable because:
Passover Timing: The Passover festival, during which Jesus was crucified, occurs during a full moon. Solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon.
Duration: Total solar eclipses typically last only a few minutes, not three hours.
New Testament emphasis on its significance. The Gospels treat the darkness as a highly unusual event with religious significance, not merely a natural phenomenon.
3. Localized Phenomenon: It's possible the darkness was a localized weather event (like a sandstorm or a very dense cloud cover) that was interpreted through a religious lens. However, even in this case, the coincidence of it happening during the crucifixion would be remarkable, and the Gospel writers clearly saw it as a meaningful sign.
Historical and Theological Context:
Old Testament Parallels: Darkness is often associated with divine judgment and times of crisis in the Old Testament (e.g., the plagues in Egypt, prophecies about the Day of the Lord).
Gospel Message: The darkness reinforces the Gospels' message that Jesus's death was a pivotal moment in history, a turning point in God's relationship with humanity.
A foreshadow of the events that were to come. It was a reminder of the darkness that Jesus was facing, and that the followers would encounter, with his death.
In Conclusion:
The darkness described in Matthew 27:45 is most likely a supernatural event, a sign from God signifying the immense importance and profound consequences of Jesus's crucifixion. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's presence, judgment, and grief in the face of human sin, and the transformative power of Jesus's sacrifice. While alternative explanations exist, they don't fully capture the religious and symbolic weight the Gospel writers attribute to this extraordinary event.