The Tearing of the Temple Curtain (Studies in Scripture and Biblical Theology)

Rediscovering Its Cultural, Historical, and Theological Contexts

Adam W. Jones, J. Daniel Hays

• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781493456994
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Criticism & Interpretation

"And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."--Matthew 27:51

Many believe that the tearing of the temple curtain means that Jesus's death gave us direct access to God. But this idea is not obvious in the Gospels themselves. What if there is a better explanation?

In this book, Adam W. Jones and J. Daniel Hays argue that God the Father tore the curtain of the temple as an act of mourning over his Son's death. This interpretation has been neglected, though it has ancient precedent. In Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, tearing clothes was a common expression of grief. And early Christian interpreters often linked this custom to the tearing of the temple curtain.

The Tearing of the Temple Curtain provides insights on ancient culture, God, grief, and how we approach Good Friday.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• 1. The Death of God’s Son and the Tearing of the Temple Curtain: Introduction: Introduction
• 2. The Origin of the Current Popular Interpretation: How Did We Get Here?: How Did We Get Here?
• 3. The Tearing of the Temple Curtain in the Synoptic Gospels: Recent NT Exegesis and Interpretive Approaches: Recent NT Exegesis and Interpretive Approaches
• 4. The Tearing of Cloth in Jewish Literature: Cultural Context 1: Cultural Context 1
• 5. The Tearing of Cloth in Greco-Roman Literature: Cultural Context 2: Cultural Context 2
• 6. The Tearing of the Temple Curtain in the Early Church: Historical Context: Historical Context
• 7. The Loving, Emotional Character of the Father and the Son: Theological Context: Theological Context
• 8. God the Father Tears the Temple Curtain as an Act of Grief and Mourning: Conclusion: Conclusion
• Epilogue
• Bibliography
• Name Index
• Scripture and Ancient Sources Index
• Back Cover