In the cool of the evening, God walked in the Garden of Eden, and Adam hid from him. The man was ashamed, for he had fallen into sin.
In the cool of the evening, Jesus died upon the cross, accomplishing the salvation of the world. He crushed the Old Adam and brought peace between God and man.
In Bach’s St. Matthew Passion this recitative contemplates and praises the evening hour:
O schöne Zeit! O Abendstunde! Der Friedensschluß isn nun mit Gott gemacht, Denn Jesus hat sein Kreuz vollbracht.
O lovely time! O evening hour! The peace treaty is now made with God, for Jesus has accomplished his [Godly aims in dying on the] cross. (Marissen 70)