The temple veil tore when Jesus died to signify that the way into the presence of God was now open through His sacrifice. The tearing of the veil represented the end of the Old Covenant system of separation and the beginning of direct access to God through the blood of Christ.
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…”
(Matthew 27:50–51)
The veil in the temple separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant once stood and where only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). It represented the barrier between God and man due to sin.
Only the high priest could pass beyond the veil, and only with blood:
“But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood… which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.”
(Hebrews 9:7)
When Jesus died, that barrier was removed. The veil tore “from top to bottom,” showing it was God’s doing, not man’s. The book of Hebrews explains:
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh…”
(Hebrews 10:19–20)
The physical veil was a symbol of Christ’s body. His death opened the way to the Father. No more earthly priests, no more sacrifices, no more restricted access.
This also signified the judgment upon the temple system, which would be fully realized in AD 70 with its destruction. The tearing of the veil marked the end of the Old Covenant and the inauguration of the New Covenant.
Jesus is now our High Priest:
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
(1 Timothy 2:5)
The torn veil declares that through Christ, every believer can draw near to God freely, confidently, and without fear.
