Matthew 27

why

Psalms 22:3 gives the answer to this significant and terrible cry:

yielded up

Literally, "dismissed his spirit." The (Greek - ajqevmito ). This expression, taken with Mark 15:37 ; Luke 23:46 ; John 19:30 . differentiates the death of Christ from all other physical death. He died by his own volition when He could say of His redemptive work, "It is finished." "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself" John 10:18 .

veil

The veil which was rent was the veil which divided the holy place into which the priests entered from the holy of holies into which only the high priest might enter on the day of atonement, (See Scofield "Exodus 26:31") Leviticus 16:1-30 The rending of that veil, which was a type of the human body of Christ Hebrews 10:20 signified that a "new and living way" was opened for all believers into the very presence of God with no other sacrifice or priesthood save Christ's. (cf) ; Hebrews 9:1-8 ; 10:19-22 .

graves

That these bodies returned to their graves is not said and may not be inferred. The wave-sheaf Leviticus 23:10-12 typifies the resurrection of Christ, but a sheaf implies plurality. It was a single "corn of wheat" that fell into the ground in the crucifixion and entombment of Christ John 12:24, it was a sheaf which came forth in resurrection. The inference is that these saints, with the spirits of "just men made perfect" Hebrews 12:23 from Paradise, went with Jesus Ephesians 4:8-10 into heaven.

James

Son of Alphaeus. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:21") .

other Mary

Supposed to be Mary the mother of James and Joses.

After three days

See, Matthew 16:21 ; 17:23 ; 20:19 ; 26:61 ; Mark 8:31 ; 10:34 ; Luke 9:22 ; 18:33 ; Luke 24:6 Luke 24:7 ; John 2:19