The Scripture speaks of several earthquakes. One happened in
the twenty-seventh year of Uzziah, king of Judah, in the year of the
world 3221. This is mentioned in Amos i, 1, and in Zechariah xiv, 5.
Josephus says that its violence divided a mountain, which lay west of
Jerusalem, and drove one part of it four furlongs. A very memorable
earthquake is that which happened at our Saviour’s death, Matt. xxvii,
51. Many have thought that this was perceived throughout the world.
Others are of opinion that it was felt only in Judea, or even in the
temple at Jerusalem. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, that the rocks upon
mount Calvary were shown in his time, which had been rent asunder by
this earthquake. Maundrell and Sandys testify the same, and say that
they examined the breaches in the rock, and were convinced that they
were the effects of an earthquake. It must have been terrible, since the
centurion and those with him were so affected by it, as to acknowledge
the innocence of our Saviour, Luke xxiii, 47. Phlegon, Adrian’s
freedman, relates that, together with the eclipse, which happened at
noon day, in the fourth year of the two hundred and second Olympiad, or
A. D. 33, a very great earthquake was also felt, principally in
Bythynia. The effects of God’s power, wrath, and vengeance are compared
to earthquakes, Psalm xviii, 7; xlvi, 2; cxiv, 4. An earthquake
signifies also, in prophetic language, the dissolution of governments
and the overthrow of states.
the twenty-seventh year of Uzziah, king of Judah, in the year of the
world 3221. This is mentioned in Amos i, 1, and in Zechariah xiv, 5.
Josephus says that its violence divided a mountain, which lay west of
Jerusalem, and drove one part of it four furlongs. A very memorable
earthquake is that which happened at our Saviour’s death, Matt. xxvii,
51. Many have thought that this was perceived throughout the world.
Others are of opinion that it was felt only in Judea, or even in the
temple at Jerusalem. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, that the rocks upon
mount Calvary were shown in his time, which had been rent asunder by
this earthquake. Maundrell and Sandys testify the same, and say that
they examined the breaches in the rock, and were convinced that they
were the effects of an earthquake. It must have been terrible, since the
centurion and those with him were so affected by it, as to acknowledge
the innocence of our Saviour, Luke xxiii, 47. Phlegon, Adrian’s
freedman, relates that, together with the eclipse, which happened at
noon day, in the fourth year of the two hundred and second Olympiad, or
A. D. 33, a very great earthquake was also felt, principally in
Bythynia. The effects of God’s power, wrath, and vengeance are compared
to earthquakes, Psalm xviii, 7; xlvi, 2; cxiv, 4. An earthquake
signifies also, in prophetic language, the dissolution of governments
and the overthrow of states.