27:45 Now from noon until three, 2 darkness came over all the land. 3
23:44 It was now 4 about noon, 5 and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 6 23:45 because the sun’s light failed. 7 The temple curtain 8 was torn in two.
1 tn Grk “It was the third hour.” This time would have been approximate, and could refer to the beginning of the process, some time before Jesus was lifted on the cross.
2 tn Grk “from the sixth hour to the ninth hour.”
3 sn This imagery has parallels to the Day of the Lord: Joel 2:10; Amos 8:9; Zeph 1:15.
4 tn Grk “And it was.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
5 tn Grk “the sixth hour.”
6 tn Grk “until the ninth hour.”
7 tc The wording “the sun’s light failed” is a translation of τοῦ ἡλίου ἐκλιπόντος/ ἐκλείποντος (tou Jhliou eklipontos/ ekleipontos), a reading found in the earliest and best witnesses (among them Ì75 א B C*vid L 070 579 2542 pc) as well as several ancient versions. The majority of
8 tn The referent of this term, καταπέτασμα (katapetasma), is not entirely clear. It could refer to the curtain separating the holy of holies from the holy place (Josephus, J. W. 5.5.5 [5.219]), or it could refer to one at the entrance of the temple court (Josephus, J. W. 5.5.4 [5.212]). Many argue that the inner curtain is meant because another term, κάλυμμα (kalumma), is also used for the outer curtain. Others see a reference to the outer curtain as more likely because of the public nature of this sign. Either way, the symbolism means that access to God has been opened up. It also pictures a judgment that includes the sacrifices.