VV.45-50 - “The Death of Jesus”
Verses 45 and 46 record specific times in which key events took place. The first event was darkness coming upon the land. This occurred at the sixth hour, at noon. He was crucified at the third hour, at nine. The number six is a number of men. Man was created on the sixth day, Noah was 600 years old when the flood came, many patriarchs had a six, six hundred, or sixty when key events took place. Lastly, it goes without saying the mark of the beast. This darkness correlates with the words of Psalm 88, a Psalm of praying for God’s salvation from death.
Upon the ninth hour Jesus spoke some of his most famous words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”. Jesus had now been on the cross for six hours. The words of Jesus were from Psalm 22. It is a song of suffering and praise. Furthermore, all the gospels recorded those present mistaking him for calling for Elijah. This is an example of multiple witnesses agreeing. Also, John 19:28 recorded Jesus’s words “I thirst” which is also a reference to Psalm 22:15. After this, they offered Jesus vinegar and he accepted it.
Matthew records that with a loud cry Jesus gave up his spirit. Understand this, they did not take his life from him. He willingly gave it up. He was the obedient sacrificial lamb. It is important to note that John records the final words of Jesus. Before he died he said the most famous words, “It is finished.” Once again, this is a reference to Psalm 22:31. Perhaps Jesus quoted the entire Psalm before his death.
This does beg the question, where did Jesus go when he died? Some reference 1 Peter 3:19 and argue that Jesus went to hell to suffer spiritually for three days. However, this is not supported in scripture and greatly takes away Jesus’s “It is finished” statement. Instead, the alternative would be that Jesus went to those spirit’s in prison and preached triumphant victory over them and their leader.

VV.51-56 - “The Signs Proving He Was Christ”
In verse 51, the veil, which was the curtain separating the Sanctuary (Holy Place) from the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant once sat. Was torn in two. The high priest could enter in only on the Day of Atonement, in which he would offer blood for his and Israel’s sins. The tearing of the veil showed the shedding of Christ’s blood was sufficient for the remission of sins and the Day of Atonement was no longer the sacrifice required for sin. Furthermore, it showed the complete failure and corruption of the Jewish leaders. Also, if any more proof was needed that they had killed the wrong guy, in verse 52, people were resurrected from the grave. This calls to mind the promise of Isaiah 26:19. The Bible is very clear, there is a hope of a resurrection. In verse 54, even the soldiers who put him to death realized he was truly the Son of God.
With all these signs, why are there not more Roman records of Jesus? How could many of the Jewish people still deny him after these events? This was perhaps the greatest cover up in all of history. With all that has happened in the last decade, we have witnessed major stories be buried. However, they couldn’t cover up those first century Chrisitians who lost their lives because they saw it all and witnessed his resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:6)

VV.57-66 - “The Jesus is Laid in the Tomb”
The gospels record there were other disciples besides the twelve, and Joseph of Arimathea was one of them. Little is known except for where he was from and he was a wealthy man. This Joseph was likely from the same place as the prophet Samuel. According to Matthew, Joseph already had a tomb prepared for Jesus. In the Old Testament, Samuel prepared the way for David to be king. It would seem Joseph was doing a similar action for Jesus.
In verses 62 through 66, Matthew recorded that every effort was made to prevent any stories of a resurrection. The Jewish leaders were cunning fools. They wanted to ensure no conspiracies would occur. Neither the Jews or Romans wanted Jesus being regarded as the resurrected Son of God.

VV.28:1-7 - “The Savior is Risen”
The first day of the week, Sunday, the two Mary’s went to the tomb of Jesus. These are the order of events according to Matthew:
The angel comes and rolls the stone away. (Verses 2-4)
The angel speaks to the women. (Verses 5-7)
The women go to tell the disciples and Jesus appears to them. (Verses 8-10)
However, each of the four Gospels seem to have a slightly different order of events..
Mark → The women see the empty tomb, the angel appears, they go to tell the disciples, Jesus
meets them.
This is really close to Matthew.
Luke → The women see the empty tomb, two angels appear, they go tell the disciples, Jesus
doesn’t meet them, the disciples aren’t convinced, Peter runs to the tomb.
This is starting to deviate from Matthew.
John → Mary Magdalene sees the empty tomb, she goes to tell Peter, Peter goes into the
empty tomb, Peter leaves, Mary stays at the tomb, the angels appear, Mary sees
Jesus but doesn’t recognize him, then she worships him and goes to tell the disciples.
Why the inconsistencies?
These are not inconsistencies. Instead the four Gospels come together to give one complete story.
The order of events according to all four Gospels…
The women see the empty tomb.
They go and tell the disciples they cannot find Jesus’s body.
Peter runs to the tomb and enters.
Peter cannot find the body and leaves.
While Mary is at the tomb, the angles appear.
She goes to tell the disciples and then Jesus meets her.

The Bible is the very word of God! It is completely true. Jesus is the resurrected savior and our only hope for salvation!