There are three recorded miracles that coincided with Jesus' death.
1. The temple veil split in half from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 16:38; Luke 24:45). This signified an end to the Jewish way of worship. The temple veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Only one man (the high priest) once a year was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place. Now the veil was removed. Now that the veil was gone, any priest could look at the ark of the covenant (the mercy seat), where, to them, God sat. So it also signified a more general access to God. Not only the high priest, but any faithful person could now come before the throne of God - the access was granted through Jesus Chris!
2. The earth shook and rocks were split (Matt. 27:51). This was probably a great source of the fear people felt. Something much bigger than THEM was at work here.
3. The tombs were opened and dead saints were raised (Matt. 27:52-53). I remember the first time this really struck me. Dead people actually came out of their tombs and walked through the streets of Jerusalem! What a sight to behold. And not just people, but SAINTS. These were righteous people. I wonder what conversations happened at that time. This MUST have caused great fear! Perhaps this was a small picture of what Jesus really came to do. He came to provide LIFE through His death.
The RESPONSE to all of these miracles was:
1) Fear and "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39).
2) Praising God and "Certainly this man was innocent" (Luke 23:47).
Nathan