Mark 15:38
What does Mark 15:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 15:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 15:38 means
The veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom at Jesus’ death—an unprecedented priestly and cosmic sign. The veil separated the Holy of Holies, symbolizing access to God reserved for the high priest. Its tearing indicates that the barrier between God and humanity is removed through Jesus’ sacrificial death. The supernatural rending underscores the theological shift: believers now have direct access to God. The detail emphasizes the cosmic import of Jesus’ death beyond mere execution.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the curtain of the Temple was parted in two from end to end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the veil of the sanctuary was rent in two, from top to bottom,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom.
Context
This occurs immediately after Jesus’ death. The tearing of the veil is presented as a divine sign accompanying the crucifixion’s conclusion. It interprets the event for the reader: Jesus’ death has inaugurated a new covenant reality. The sign sets up the centurion’s declaration and the response of faithful witnesses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 23:45
the sun’s light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
- Exodus 40:20
And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy-seat above upon the ark:
- Hebrews 4:14
Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
- 2 Chronicles 3:8
And he made the most holy house: the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
- Leviticus 16:2
and Jehovah said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy-seat which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy-seat.
- 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;
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