LUKE—NOTE ON Luke 23:44 about the sixth hour... until the ninth hour. Noon until 3:00 P.M. (compare Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33). Darkness represents lament (Amos 8:9) and divine judgment (Exodus 10:21). Here it is both literal (the sun’s light failed) and figurative, probably signifying that Jesus was bearing God’s wrath for his people (compare Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18, Amos 5:20; Zephaniah 1:15). It also expresses God’s judgment upon humanity for crucifying his Son. The darkness was not caused by a solar eclipse (see note on Matt. 27:45). The curtain leading from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place was torn in two (see note on Matt. 27:51); see Herod’s Temple in the Time of Jesus.

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