Bible Strands
Mark 15:38
And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrative records this event immediately after Jesus breathes His last, occurring before the centurion observes the moment and speaks.
The words — καταπέτασμα (katapetasma) means “veil,” and ἐσχίσθη (eschisthē) means “was torn,” describing the physical splitting of the temple curtain.
The thread — The same tearing is recorded in Luke 23:45 and Matthew 27:51, while Hebrews 10:19 references the resulting access to the Most Holy Place.
Why it lands — The text presents the torn veil as a divine act that removes the sanctuary barrier, requiring the reader to note the structural shift in temple access before the centurion’s confession follows.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
- Luke 23:45 The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.
- Matthew 27:51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
- Hebrews 9:3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
- Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
- Exodus 26:31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
- Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.
- Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
- Exodus 40:20 Moses took the Testimony and placed it in the ark, attaching the poles to the ark; and he set the mercy seat atop the ark.
- 2 Chronicles 3:8 Then he made the Most Holy Place; its length corresponded to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold.