What really happened when Jesus died? Far more than a Roman execution. In Matthew 27:45-56, the sky goes dark, the temple veil tears, and the earth shakes as Jesus dies. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains the meaning behind these signs. From noon to three, darkness covered the land — a sign of God’s judgment falling. Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” In that moment, Dr. Holt explains, the Father laid the sins of His people on the Son and turned away. This is what the Bible calls imputation: our sin counted as His, so that His righteousness could be counted as ours. When Jesus died, the thick temple curtain tore from top to bottom, opening the way to God. Even a hardened Roman officer confessed, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Questions this study answers: 1. Why did the sky grow dark at midday? The three hours of darkness were a sign of God’s judgment, as His wrath against sin fell on Jesus in the place of His people. It was not a natural eclipse but a divine one. 2. Did the Father really turn away from the Son? At the cross, the sins of God’s people were charged to Jesus, and He bore the full weight of God’s judgment in their place. His cry of being forsaken marks that terrible exchange. 3. What hope is there in such a dark chapter? The torn curtain shows the way to God is now open, and the officer’s confession shows even enemies can be forgiven. Christ’s death is the door to mercy. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” — Matthew 27:46 (NKJV) Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Matthew Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.
