Luke 23:45
What does Luke 23:45 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:45 means
As the sun’s light fails, the veil of the temple is torn in the middle. The torn veil signifies a new access to God through Jesus’ death. The barrier that marked separation is removed by His atoning sacrifice. What priests could not accomplish by daily offerings, the crucified Christ achieves once for all. The earthly sign matches the heavenly reality: the way into God’s presence is opened. Judgment’s darkness yields to reconciliation’s promise. The center of worship shifts from temple rituals to the person and work of the crucified Lord, who brings sinners near to the Father.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The light of the sun went out, and the curtain in the Temple was parted in two.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the sun was darkened, and the vail of the sanctuary was rent in the midst,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple rent in the midst.
Context
Luke pairs cosmic and cultic signs to interpret the cross. Darkness covers the land, and the temple’s inner curtain tears. This prepares for Jesus’ final cry, where He entrusts His spirit to the Father, emphasizing His willing and faithful death. The next verse records that prayer and His final breath. Following that, witnesses respond: a centurion glorifies God and declares Jesus righteous; crowds depart in grief; and acquaintances and women watch from a distance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 2:14
For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
- Hebrews 9:3
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies;
- Hebrews 6:19
which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
- 2 Chronicles 3:14
And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.
- Mark 15:38
And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
- Matthew 27:51
And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;
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