Matthew 27:45

Verse 45. Now from the sixth hour. That is, from our twelve o'clock. The Jews divided their day into twelve hours, beginning to count at sunrise. There was darkness. This could not have been an eclipse of the sun, for the passover was celebrated at the time of the full moon, when the moon is opposite to the sun. Luke says, Lu 23:45, that "the sun was darkened;" but it was not by an eclipse, but, perhaps, by the vapours and clouds that preceded the earthquake. The only cause of this was the interposing power of God--furnishing testimony to the dignity of the Sufferer, and causing the elements to sympathize with the pains of his dying Son.