The Greek verb diarrēssō (διαρρήσσω) means to tear through, to burst apart, to rend in two. The prefix dia (through) intensifies the root rēssō (to tear/break), suggesting a complete, violent tearing. It is used for bursting wineskins (Luke 5:37), for a demoniac breaking his chains (Luke 8:29), and — most profoundly — for the High Priest tearing his robes (Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:63) at Jesus' declaration.
Matthew 26:65 is the crucial occurrence: when Jesus declared Himself the Son of Man who would sit at God's right hand and come on the clouds, the high priest tore (diarrēssō) his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy!” This tearing was a ritual expression of horror at perceived blasphemy — yet it was the high priest himself who was in the presence of the One whose body would be torn as the true sacrifice. Hours later, the Temple veil was torn in two (schizō, Matthew 27:51), opening the way to God. Diarrēssō in the high priest's hands ironically pointed to the tearing that would make all other tearing unnecessary.