In this passage, we read of Christ’s death and burial (Matthew 27:45-66). While Jesus was on the cross, darkness was over all the land from the sixth hour (12:00 pm) until the ninth hour (3:00 pm). The darkness was probably symbolic of the judgment of God which was poured out on Jesus for our sins. In fact, about the ninth hour Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Upon Christ’s death other events took place, the veil of the temple was torn in two, and there was an earthquake, rocks were split, and graves were opened. The Roman centurion and those with him greatly feared when they saw the earthquake and the things that happened, and they said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
A man named Joseph from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for His body. The governor granted his request, so Joseph took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his new tomb. The next day the chief priests and Pharisees came to Pilate and asked him to make the tomb secure. They suspected that the disciples of Jesus would come by night and steal His body.