Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:51

"And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;" — Matthew 27:51 (ASV)

The veil of the temple. This was undoubtedly the veil, skillfully crafted, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, dividing the temple into two rooms (Exodus 26:31–33).

In twain. This means in two pieces, or parts. It was at this time of day, when the priest was burning incense in the Holy Place, that he probably witnessed it.

The Most Holy Place has usually been considered a type of heaven. The rending of the veil is thought to signify that the way to heaven was now open to all, as the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus, was about to enter in as the forerunner of His people.

However, the Scriptures are silent about the specific design of the rending of the veil, and conjecture is useless.

And the earth did quake. This means it shook. Earthquakes are violent convulsions of the ground, commonly caused by confined and rarefied air.

This earthquake, however, was probably a miraculous convulsion of the earth. It served as an attestation to the truth that the Sufferer was the Messiah, the Son of God, and as an exhibition of His wrath at the crimes of those who put Him to death.

This earthquake was not confined to Judea but was also felt in other countries. It is mentioned by Roman writers.

The rocks rent. That is, they were torn asunder. Rocks are still seen at Mount Calvary, thus torn asunder, which are said to be the ones that were convulsed when the Savior died.

Concerning rent in twain, compare Isaiah 25:7.