Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 15:38

"And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom." — Mark 15:38 (ASV)

The curtain referred to was the one that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the temple. It was torn from the top to the bottom. Mark must have regarded this as a supernatural act, though he does not assign theological significance to it (10:19–22). Since only the priests were permitted entrance into the Holy Place, this event probably became part of the tradition through the report of priests who were subsequently converted to Christianity (cf. Acts 6:7). Perhaps the experience of witnessing the tearing of the curtain in the temple prepared their hearts for receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior.