The veil of the temple in history and legend

Abstract

"Among the most profound and puzzling texts in the Synoptic Gospels is the report that at Jesus’ death “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matt 27:51a; cf. Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).1 Interpretations of this event have ranged from the rigidly historical to the hermeneutically fanciful.2 From a historical perspective, Bultmann (characteristically) classifies the events surrounding Jesus’ death as “pure novelistic motifs.”3 From an exegetical perspective, scholars frequently seek clarity from the veil traditions in the book of Hebrews, where the believer’s hope lies secure “behind the veil” (to; ejs∫teron touÅ katapetavsmatoÍ; Heb 6:19), which is in the sanctuary (Heb 9:3), and is identified with Christ’s flesh (touÅ katapetavsmatoÍ touÅt∆ eßstin thÅÍ sarko;Í au˚tou; Heb 10:20). The term for this “veil” (katapevtasma) occurs only six times in the NT, three in the Synoptic rending texts, and three in the respective Hebrews citations. Though the term, as used in the NT, most certainly refers to the inner veil before the holy of holies,4 neither the evangelists nor the author of Hebrews provide any description of the veil within the Herodian temple which stood in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ death. Yet within Jewish, Christian, and even secular literature there are rich traditions of history and legend pertaining to this otherwise enigmatic article of cultic worship from antiquity"