How Was the Temple Veil Used in the Bible?
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.
Key Facts
Term Name
Temple Veil
Primary Meaning
Symbolizes the barrier between God and humanity removed by Jesus' sacrifice.
Old Testament Reference
Exodus 26:31-33 describes the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
New Testament Fulfillment
Matthew 27:51 and Hebrews 10:19-20 show the veil's tearing fulfilled by Jesus' sacrifice, granting direct access to God.
Key Takeaways
- The Temple Veil symbolizes God's holiness and humanity's separation until Jesus' sacrifice.
- Jesus tore the veil in two, granting believers direct access to God's presence.
- The torn veil signifies the New Covenant's promise of unmediated communion with God.
The Temple Veil in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the Temple Veil served as both a physical and symbolic barrier within the Tabernacle and later the Second Temple.
Exodus 26:31-33 describes the veil as a richly woven curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet threads, embroidered with cherubim, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. This division emphasized the holiness of God’s presence, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. The veil thus symbolized the sacred separation between humanity and the divine, requiring ritual purification and sacrifice for approach.
By restricting access to the Most Holy Place, the veil underscored the need for atonement and foreshadowed the future revelation of God’s presence through Jesus Christ.
The Veil Torn in Two: Jesus and New Covenant Access
In Matthew 27:51, the tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' death marks a pivotal shift in divine-human relationship dynamics.
Matthew 27:51 records, 'Then behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom,' a dramatic act signifying Jesus' role as the ultimate atonement. This event fulfilled the symbolic function of the veil, which in the Old Covenant separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, emphasizing humanity's need for mediated access to God. By tearing the veil 'from top to bottom'—a divine action rather than human—Jesus demonstrated his authority to remove barriers between God and humanity. Hebrews 10:19-20 explicitly connects this to believers' new access: 'Since we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... a new and living way' opened by his sacrifice.
Jesus' death fulfilled the veil's symbolism by replacing the annual Day of Atonement rituals with a permanent, once-for-all sacrifice. The veil's destruction signified the end of the old system of atonement, as Mark 15:37-38 notes, pairing the torn curtain with 'the veil of the temple was torn in two' at the moment of Jesus' final breath, linking the two events directly.
Theologically, this act redefines access to God: the torn veil represents Jesus' role as mediator, removing the need for human intermediaries or ritual purity. It underscores the New Covenant's promise of direct communion with God through Christ, while foreshadowing the universal priesthood of believers. This event bridges to later themes of spiritual temple and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, expanding the implications of Jesus' sacrifice beyond the physical temple structure.
The Temple Veil and Our Daily Lives
The torn veil reshapes how Christians engage with God in daily life, emphasizing unmediated access and transformed worship.
This symbolic rupture, recorded in Matthew 27:51 as 'the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom,' dismantles ritual barriers that once confined divine communion to specific times, places, or priestly intermediaries. Hebrews 10:19-20 affirms this new reality: 'Since we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... a new and living way' now invites believers to approach God directly through Jesus' sacrifice. Practically, this means our prayers, worship, and spiritual growth are not bound by external rituals but rooted in the freedom to draw near to God at all times. The veil's tearing thus calls us to live as a priesthood of believers, embracing both personal intimacy with God and communal worship that reflects this restored relationship.
Exploring Further
The Temple Veil's symbolism interweaves with broader biblical themes such as typology, the High Priest's role, and the Temple's future portrayal in Revelation.
In Scripture, the veil prefigures Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 10:20), while the High Priest's annual atonement (Leviticus 16) finds fulfillment in Jesus' eternal priesthood (Hebrews 4:14-16). Revelation 21:22, which envisions a temple-less New Jerusalem 'because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple,' echoes the veil's removal by highlighting God's direct presence among His people.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Matthew 27:51
The temple veil is torn in two from top to bottom at Jesus' death.
Exodus 26:31-33
Describes the construction of the Temple Veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
Hebrews 10:19-20
Explains the new access to God through Jesus' sacrifice, referencing the torn veil.
Revelation 21:22
The New Jerusalem has no temple because God and the Lamb dwell there directly.
Related Concepts
High Priest (Figures)
The only person allowed to enter the Most Holy Place annually on the Day of Atonement.
New Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice, granting direct access to God.
Priesthood of Believers (Theological Concepts)
All Christians have direct access to God, no longer requiring priestly intermediaries.
Day of Atonement (Events)
The annual ritual where the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place for atonement.
Cherubim (Symbols)
Embroidered on the veil, symbolizing God's holiness and presence.