Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022)
Article: Darkness At The Cross (Mark 15:33)
Author: Kenneth W. Yates

JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022) p. 63

Darkness At The Cross (Mark 15:33)

Kenneth W. Yates

Editor

I. Introduction

Each Synoptic Gospel writer mentioned that when Jesus was dying on the cross, darkness fell upon the land for three hours (Matt 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44). However, because of the general nature of narrative literature, we are not told the significance of this darkness.

In this article, I would like to look at Mark’s Gospel and try to determine the importance of this event from his perspective and what it means. Other explanations will be explored and rejected.

It seems that this is a productive exercise. First of all, there is obvious benefit in knowing why this miraculous event took place and how it is related to the death of Christ. Secondly, Mark showed us that studying this phenomenon is beneficial. He indicated that at least one person considered the darkness, and it helped him in arriving at certain truths about the One on the cross.

II. The Centurion At The Cross

All the Synoptic Gospels record that there was a Roman centurion at the cross. In the Gospel of Mark, this man played a pivotal role. He was the one who made the final statement about Jesus when He died. He stated that Jesus was the Son of God (15:39).

This is significant for a number of reasons. First, in Mark’s Gospel, he is the only human who declared this truth. God the Father and demons were the only other ones who recognized the identity of Christ in like manner (1:11; 3:11; 5:7; 9:7).

We can certainty conclude that this man did not understand that Jesus was the Second Person of the Trinity. Even the disciples did not comprehend these realities. The centurion was not even a believer and was a person who believed in many different gods. Wallace calls the

JOTGES 35:69 (Autumn 2022) p. 64

use of “Son” here qualitative. This means the centurion was stressing the character of Christ1: he saw that Jesus was the One who was doing the work of God. Those who heard and saw Jesus were hearing and seeing what God was doing. The One dying on the cross was displaying supernatural power.2 In the centurion’s belief system, for example, the emperor was a son of the gods bec...