The Saviour was on the cross for a total of six hours. During the last three hours there was complete darkness. Was this a metaphor or literal- Was this an extended eclipse, or a specific Divinely orchestrated miracle to veil the suffering that the Saviour endured as He took the full punishment for our sins- This midday darkness teaches us many spiritual lessons designed to make us pause and think, as all around the cross were locked down, so we too should pause to consider these deep things.