Luke 23:44-48 Darkness Over All The Earth

Six hours that changed the history of the world. (Cf. Matt. 27:45-54; Mark 15:33-37).

Sequential Summary of the Synoptic Gospels: Jesus was crucified at the third hour...And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Matt. And Mark, darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour). And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.He dies and is buried. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Examination of Luke 23:44-48

Darkness Over The Whole Land - 23:44 “over all the earth” (ghn): earth 188, land 42, ground 18, country 2, world 1 [Total Count: 252]. *the main land as opposed to the sea or water, the earth as a whole, the earth as opposed to the heavens, the inhabited earth, a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region.

Christ entered bravely and resolutely into the very darkness of death, and He did this to overcome death, even within its most secret places. Death and despair is often symbolized by darkness, in and out of the Scripture. Similarly, life is often symbolized by light.

The darkness began at the sixth hour (noon), and lasted till the ninth hour (3:00 PM). This darkness showed the despair and fear of man. When the darkness fell over the land, there was fear, despair, and uncertainty in the minds of those involved. What will happen next? What have we done? Have we made some horrendous error?

The Light of the world died, and darkness was over all the earth. Without Christ there is no light that is seen. The degradation and humiliation of sin over came the earth. But the death of Christ, the Light of the world, would change the landscape of the world, and bring the light of the Gospel of Christ.

There was darkness. This could not have been an eclipse of the sun. The Passover was celebrated during the full moon (moon is opposite to the sun). Luke says, Luke 23:45, that "the sun was darkened;" perhaps, by the vapors and clouds that preceded the earthquake. The only cause of this was the power of God, giving testimony to the dignity of Christ, and using the elements to sympathize with the pains of his death. A dark cloud shut out the light of day, which was the appropriate drapery for this momentous occasion.

“This darkness was recorded by Phlegon, a Roman astronomer, speaking of the fourteenth year of the reign of Tiberius. ("the greatest eclipse of the sun that was ever known happened then, for the day was so turned into night that the stars appeared." Barnes Notes

Darkness When the Temple Veil Was Torn In The Midst - 23:45 ...the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

The veil of blue, purple, and crimson, made of fine linen, with cherubims embroidered on it, was torn from top to bottom at the time of Christ’s death. When darkness pervaded the land, this great event took place. The veil is a picture and symbol of the righteousness of God. It was this perfect holiness, of both God and Christ, that prevented man from entering into the holiest place of the tabernacle, for man has no righteousness of his own.

The darkness of man’s sin and his unrighteousness, prevented Him from entering into the light and presence of God. When darkness pervaded the landscape, the veil was torn from the top to the bottom, symbolizing Christ’s coming from heaven to earth, to bring His righteousness, to open the way to the Father.
Now, every believer in Christ has received the righteousness of Christ as a gift, and may enter into the holiest place, through the “veil” of Christ’s righteousness. In the darkest moment of human history sprang a light to the hearts of men.

Darkness When Jesus Cried Out and Died - 23:46 ...Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Those who loved Christ stood, gazing at His suffering and death. With wonderment and unbelief, they could not help but consider that it was all over for their band of disciples and followers who believed in Messiah’s kingdom. Many questions were unanswered and doubts must have filled their minds. Then, in their human anguish, their master, teacher, friend and the savior died! Notice the words, He gave up the ghost.

Jesus gave His own life. No one took His life from Him, and no human dignitary, no spokesman, no government or power on earth could give it back again. It was not theirs to give or take. Jesus said clearly, No man taketh my life, I give it freely.

He commended his spirit to God (paraqhsomai) - place beside or near, set before someone, to place down, intrust, commit to one's charge.

Darkness: As The Sun Was Darkened, The People Reacted - 23:47-48
“Darkened”- eskotisqh - obscured by some mean or deprived of light.

Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. This response should be the reaction of every person who has not believed in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. His passion, suffering and love for the world can never be matched. It was His death which brought life to dying people, and gave hope during despair. It was His death that will bring us from the dark ages to complete reformation.

Hebrews 10:18-22 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.