Matthew 27:45-66 / Episode 38 / Abandoned

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covers the land. Jesus cries out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" After receiving sour wine, He cries out again and gives up His spirit. At that moment, the curtain of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shakes, rocks split, and tombs are opened, revealing the power of God. Witnessing these events, a Roman centurion declares, "Truly this was the Son of God!" Many faithful women who had followed Jesus watch from a distance. Later, Joseph of Arimathea courageously asks Pilate for Jesus' body. He wraps Jesus in a clean linen cloth, places Him in a new tomb carved out of rock, and a large stone is rolled across the entrance. The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees ask Pilate to secure the tomb because they remember Jesus' prediction that He would rise after three days. Pilate orders the tomb to be sealed and guarded by soldiers to prevent anyone from stealing the body.