Nature sympathized with the suffering of its Author. The heaving earth, the rent rocks, proclaimed that it was the Son of God who died. There was a mighty earthquake. The veil of the temple was rent in twain. Terror seized the executioners and spectators as they beheld the sun veiled in darkness, and felt the earth shake beneath them, and saw and heard the rending of the rocks. The mocking and jeering of the chief priests and elders were hushed as Christ commended His spirit into the hands of His Father. The astonished throng began to withdraw and grope their way in the darkness to the city. They smote upon their breasts as they went and in terror, speaking scarcely above a whisper, said among themselves: “It is an innocent person that has been murdered. What if, indeed, He is, as He asserted, the Son of God?” {2T 211.1}

Naturen viste medfølelse med sin skaber i hans lidelse. Den gyngende jord og de sønderrevne klipper kundgjorde, at det var Guds søn, der døde. Der skete et mægtigt jordskælv. Forhænget i templet revnede i to stykker. Forfærdelse greb bødlerne og tilskuerne, idet de så solen indhyllet i mørke og følte, at jorden rystede under deres fødder og da de så og hørte klipperne revne. Ypperstepræsternes og de ældstes spot og hån forstummede, da Kristus befalede sin ånd i Faderens hænder. Den forfærdede skare begyndte at trække sig tilbage og famle sig frem i mørket ad vejen til byen. De slog sig for brystet, medens de gik, talte næsten hviskede og sagde til hinanden: »Det er et uskyldigt menneske, der er blevet myrdet. Tænk, om han virkelig skulle være Guds søn, således som han påstod?«