Covenant Theology In Outline Form 19: Matthew 27:50 - 55

 Shema 

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.


Historical Prologue 

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 

  • The text is describing the tearing of the curtain of the temple in figurative terms. Think about it, if this had happened on Earth, literally, why does this event not receive greater attention as a confutation of the majority of the Sanhedrin?
  • The text is describing the overall effects of Christ’s person & work & is a descriptive narrative of the ministry of the Apostles & others — all of which happened as a direct result of the crucifixion & resurrections 
  • When God created the environment in which we live & all living things, he created a cosmic temple in which all living things live,  
  • The tearing of the curtain refers to the removal of several impediments that stand in the way of God, His peculiar People, emphasizing the fact that Christ’s work of atonement had opened the way of salvation for everyone&when&wear. 

And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 

  • Darkness had fallen (ie the moon turned to blood)
  • The shaking of the Earth is a similar

         statement. 


52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 


General & Specific Stipulations 

53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 

  • In all likelihood, this doesn’t refer to tombs on the Earth, rather it refers to the 2 destinations people who cross over from the Earth go.    
  • They “left Egypt” & followed the LORD & His Christ, His Law, & His Gospel.
  • They went to the holy city (God’s cosmological temple) & appeared to many people. 
  • This also refers to the missionary effort in the Apostles existing & future missionary effort.    To be a believer/Christian is to have been figuratively & literally raised. from the dead.

Document Clause, Witnesses, Covenant Renewal, & Victory!


54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly I this was the Son of God!”  (Matthew 27:51–54, ESV)

  • This is a broad description that describes both a local historical event & a much larger cosmic/cosmological event, namely the ultimate victory over Death & Hades.   
  • Both Yeshua’s, as well the LORD’s & His people, some guarding Yeshua to serve & protect, some ambivalent, & some His enemies, witnessed the LORD & His Christ’s triumph over Death & Hades, were filled with awe & confessed the truth about themselves, the LORD, & His Christ. 
  • 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and thatevery tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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