Subject: Torn veil of Mat 15.38 the literal veil? |
Bible Note: A couple other points maybe: The Temple curtain had the image of the Cherubim on it. These were the same angels that were guarding the tree of life in Gen 3:24. When the curtain was torn in two, a way was made back into that garden and to that tree, a way into fellowship with God. Also, it was customary for one to tear his robe if in the presence of one who breathed his last. This custom existed at this time and the veil was a covering for the presence of God in the Temple. Some ancient texts call it God’s tunic. Ultimately, however, there are no extra Biblical sources that mention this event. That is certainly odd, but like everyone else said, the Bible reflects it as literal and there is no reason to assume otherwise. Finally, there are four things which did happen in the Temple after Jesus death that are recorded in extra Biblical texts. 1) one of the lights on the menorah did not stay light. 2) the heavy doors kept opening in the night. 3) the scarlet thread which normally turned white signifying that the sins were atoned for did not turn white, and 4) the scapegoat lot, one white stone and one black stone, turned up black forty years in a row. (That's like tossing a coin and getting heads 40 times in a row.) These events led one Jew to basically repeat Jesus' prophesy about the destruction of the Temple. His prophesy mimics Jesus only leaving out the date. Jesus said after one generation, 40 years, the Temple would fall. The temple was destroyed 40 years after 30AD and all four of these events are said to have lasted for 40 years. This mention in Mark 15 is crucial to our understanding that the old order had passed and that a way to God has been made. Without Jesus death, blood, and resurrection, we were forever separated form God and therefore dead in our sins. By His grace alone we are thankfully saved. Back to your original question. While extra Biblical texts and archeology can help us understand some things better, they are never a substitute for the pure Truth of the Gospel and the totality of God’s Word found in the Bible. MJH |