This is the most thorough resource I’m aware of that explains why the temple’s curtain tore in two when Jesus died:

Daniel M. Gurtner. The Torn Veil: Matthew’s Exposition of the Death of Jesus. Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series 139. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.

It focuses on Matt 27:51a but takes into account the other Synoptic references and the explanations in Hebrews.

Dan Gurtner teaches New Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and serves as an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church (where John Piper is pastor for preaching and vision). He earned his PhD at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland under Richard Bauckham, and this book is the published version of his dissertation on the tearing of the temple’s curtain in Matthew 27:51a. [Read more…] about The Torn Veil

Paul’s argument in Gal 5:1–12 defends Christian liberty over a distinctive Jewish practice: circumcision. Note Paul’s logic in v. 11:

Ἐγὼ δέ, ἀδελφοί, εἰ περιτομὴν ἔτι κηρύσσω, τί ἔτι διώκομαι; ἄρα κατήργηται τὸ σκάνδαλον τοῦ σταυροῦ.

Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed (NET).

Adding circumcision to the gospel removed “the offense of the cross,” which is essential to the gospel.

Questions for reflection:

1. How does our culture remove “the offense of the cross” (e.g., through mainstream media)?
2. How do Christians remove “the offense of the cross” (e.g., through writings, sermons, ministry philosophies)?
3. How might I remove “the offense of the cross” when I communicate with (1) non-Christians, (2) other Christians, and (3) myself?