Meaning of Mark 15:38

The dramatic tearing of the temple curtain in Mark 15:38, occurring at the precise moment of Jesus' death, signifies the abolition of the barrier that separated humanity from God's presence. This thick veil, described in the Old Testament (Exodus 26:31-35), was an elaborate partition within the Jerusalem Temple, physically dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary where God's glory was understood to dwell. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, after rigorous purification rituals. The rending of this curtain, from the highest point to the lowest, was a supernatural event that announced the end of this exclusivity and the inauguration of direct access to God for all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Context and Background

The Gospel of Mark places this event within the climactic moments of Jesus' crucifixion. The Roman soldiers have mocked him, he has been nailed to the cross, and the darkness has fallen over the land. As Jesus cries out with a loud voice and breathes his last, the earth shakes, and this extraordinary phenomenon occurs within the Temple. The Temple itself was the physical embodiment of God's dwelling place among his people in the Old Covenant. Its elaborate system of sacrifices and rituals pointed towards a future redemption, a promise of reconciliation. The tearing of the curtain, therefore, is directly linked to the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises through Jesus' atoning sacrifice.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are access, reconciliation, and the inauguration of a new covenant. The curtain served as a symbol of sin and separation, a physical manifestation of the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity. Its tearing signifies that this barrier has been removed. Jesus' death, as the ultimate sacrifice, has made it possible for believers to approach God directly, not through intermediaries or ritualistic requirements, but through faith in him. This event heralds the transition from the Old Covenant, mediated by the Law and the Temple, to the New Covenant, established by Jesus' blood.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse offers profound comfort and encouragement. It means that no longer must one be a High Priest or wait for a specific day to seek God. Through Jesus, every believer has immediate and unhindered access to the Father. This grants us the assurance that our prayers are heard, our worship is accepted, and we can live in constant communion with God. The application is to embrace this new reality, to approach God with boldness and confidence, and to live lives that reflect this intimate relationship.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a pivotal moment in the unfolding narrative of salvation history. It is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system and the prophetic pronouncements concerning the Messiah. The Old Testament foreshadowed a time when God would dwell with his people in a new way, and the tearing of the curtain is the visible sign of this prophecy's realization. It bridges the gap between the Old Testament's emphasis on ritual and separation and the New Testament's emphasis on grace and intimate relationship with God through Christ.

Analogies

One analogy is that of a locked door being permanently broken open, allowing everyone to enter a sovereign's presence without needing a special key or invitation. Another is a thick fog that suddenly lifts, revealing a clear path to a desired destination. The curtain was a veil of separation; its tearing is the removal of that obscuring barrier, making the way to God visible and accessible.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse finds resonance with several other key biblical passages:

• Hebrews 10:19-22: This epistle explicitly interprets the tearing of the curtain as the opening of a new and living way into the presence of God through Christ's sacrifice. It states, "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart."
• Exodus 26:31-33: This passage describes the construction of the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, highlighting its significance as a boundary.
• Leviticus 16: This chapter details the Day of Atonement rituals, the only time the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, underscoring the exclusivity that was now ended.
• Matthew 27:51: The parallel account in Matthew also records the tearing of the curtain, affirming the event's significance.
• John 19:30: Jesus' final cry, "It is finished," precedes the tearing of the curtain, indicating that his sacrificial work was complete and had cosmic implications.