The answer is: 3 hours

Luke 23:44

The darkness that enveloped the land when Jesus died is a profound moment that sparks curiosity, contemplation, and some rich biblical trivia! According to Luke 23:44, it was a full three hours of darkness. Imagine the scene: a heavy, lingering gloom covering the land—a physical manifestation of the spiritual turmoil following Jesus’ crucifixion.

Fun fact: This event echoes other biblical moments where darkness signifies judgment or a divine message. For example, during the ninth plague in Exodus, God brought darkness over Egypt that lasted for three days. Both instances symbolize critical turning points in biblical narratives where a shift in God’s relationship with humanity occurred.

Furthermore, depending on the Gospel accounts, right after this darkness, the temple veil was torn. This signifies the breaking of barriers between the divine and humanity. In the cultural context of temples from that era, the tearing of the veil represents not only a physical rupture but a spiritual invitation to intimacy with the divine.

Lastly, if you look at some ancient Near Eastern lore, you'll find intriguing parallels of natural events occurring at significant deaths. In essence, the 3 hours of darkness at Jesus' death wasn’t just a regular phenomenon; it waved a flag to the intensity of that moment, reverberating through time as a signal of the ultimate sacrifice for many. This compelling narrative invites reflection on themes of grief, redemption, and resurrection.