On What Day of the Week Was Christ Crucified?

KHouse.Org | Chuck Missler

[week 71]

The observances of Good Friday and Easter Sunday have perpetuated the traditional chronology that the crucifixion took place on a Friday, and that the Lord's body was buried on that day at about 6:00 p.m., and that he rose from the dead early on the following Sunday morning.

There are some, however, that feel this tradition is at variance with the Scriptural record. The traditional view seems to conflict with certain prophetic and legal facts.

"Three Days"

One of the problems is reckoning "three days" between Friday evening and Sunday morning. I was once co-hosting a national TV show which had the famed apologist John Warwick Montgomery as a guest. This issue came up, and John rendered the traditional rationalization, pointing out that the Jews reckoned a partial day as a whole day.

I turned to my co-host and explained, "You must remember that John is an attorney, and that's the way they bill!"

(John almost fell out of his chair laughing - he hadn't realized that I was well aware of his distinguished legal background.)

But the difficulty remains. Our Lord's definitive statement is one of the problems:

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. -Matthew 12:40

The mention of nights, as well as the number of days, makes it hard to render this as simply an idiomatic rhetorical device rather than a statement of fact.

Further, when Paul declares the resurrection of Christ to be "according to the Scriptures" in 1 Corinthians 15:4, if this isn't an allusion to Jonah 1:17, then where else? (Perhaps, in Genesis 22, the three days between the "death" of Isaac - when the commandment came - and his "return" to Abraham may have been the macrocode, or typological allusion, that Paul might have had in mind.1 )

Intensifying this controversy was the "three days" issue at the trial of Jesus.

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. -Matthew 26:59-61

What did Jesus really say?

Destroy this temple, [of His body] and in three days I will raise it up. -John 2:19

The same phrase reoccurs in the gospels a dozen times.2 It also seems to frequently reoccur in prophetic patterns.3

The Sabbaths

Nowhere in the Gospels does it assert that Christ was crucified on a Friday. In Mark 15:42, it refers to "...the day before the sabbath." This may be the root of the misunderstanding.

The Jews had other sabbaths in addition to the weekly shabbat (Saturday). In addition to the weekly sabbaths, there were seven "high sabbaths" each year, and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the 15th of Nisan, was one of them.4

Further, Matthew 28:1 should read, "At the end of the sabbaths ,"5 (which is plural in the Greek), implying there was a plurality of sabbaths that week.

If Passover, the 14th of Nisan, fell earlier in the week, the 15th could have been any day prior to Saturday, the weekly sabbath. "When the sabbaths were past" would, of course, be Sunday (actually, Saturday after sundown), in accordance to the Feast of First Fruits. (Some hold to a Thursday crucifixion on a similar basis.)

The 17th of Nisan

Jesus had declared that He would be in the grave three days, and yet was to be resurrected "on the morrow after the sabbath," on the day of the Feast of First Fruits.6

It is interesting that the authorities, anxious to get the body off the cross before sundown, unknowingly were fulfilling God's predetermined plan, "according to the Scriptures."7

Noah's flood ended on the 17th day of the 7th month.8 This month becomes the 1st month at the institution of the Passover.9 Our new beginning in Christ was on the anniversary of the Earth's "new beginning" under Noah!

Israel's new beginning, the crossing of the Red Sea, is believed to have been on the 17th of Nisan. Also, in their flight after Passover, Israel retrieved the body of Joseph from his tomb. After Passover, Jesus was retrieved from another Joseph's tomb on this date.

The Jericho Journey

Another problem with a Friday crucifixion is John 12:1: "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany..." (from Jericho). If the Friday view can be accepted, then six days earlier was the weekly shabbat , and on this day such a journey was legally out of the question for a devout Jew.

Summary

As for the Friday or Wednesday issue, there are many good scholars on each side of this controversy. I personally have become rather cynical toward any tradition that is not supported by Scripture.

Good Friday is the "traditional" view. The Wednesday crucifixion is known as the "reconstructed view." This article is intended to stimulate study and constructive conversation during this precious season. One attempt to reconcile the chronology of the entire week is shown in the inset boxes [Friday-Tuesday] and [Wednesday-Sunday].

The important thing is that the tomb was empty . The authorities made sure that this was indisputable. Indeed, He is risen!

The most important chapter in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 15. We encourage you to study it very carefully.

[Library Lady]

Cute.

[JohnnyM]

"Where do you get the 6 pm reference?"

This was actually how they did days back in that time. If you like at Genesis and the story of creation you will see that God denotes it that way as well. For each day He said there was evening, there was morning the nth day. So evening came first, then morning. The Jews didn't say 6pm was the start of the next day, 6pm is using our standard of time. You will note in the gospels that things happened on the third hour of the day or the 6th hour or the third watch. This is in reference to 6am, our time. So the 3rd hour of the day was 9am. Our 12am is equivalient to their 6am. So their morning started at 6am according to our clock and the their evening started at 6pm. So Saturday at 6pm is actually Sunday according to Jewish and Biblical custom.

JM

[Dog Gone]

It was a serious question. Sunset this time of year is not 6 pm. I thought perhaps you had picked that specific time of day from something other than out of thin air.

[Library Lady]

OK. See post #22. Johnny M. explains it well.

[week 71]

The point is, however, is not what day of the week Jesus was killed or rose up. The important issue is that the event took place at all. and Easter is the celebration of the event.

Amen. Well said. I find it interesting and thought provoking to discuss secondary issues of scripture. However one should never lose sight of the essentials and bicker over side issues.

[week 71]

Under this theory, Jesus wouldn't have risen on Sunday, so changing the day of worship to Sunday would be in error, right?

I believe if the theory espoused were true you would be correct, but I'm no Greek Scholar. The theory might please some saturday sabbath denominations.

[week 71]

Thanks for your insights in post 10. I lean toward the traditional view myself, but I do like hearing other opinions such as this article for piqueing my mind and keeping me sharp. cheers

[week 71]

Indeed the controversy will continue. I can't comment on Missler's knowledge of Greek because I'm no Greek euridite myself. Your input above makes sense, thanks for your thoughts. I will continue to lean toward the traditional view, but still listen to the other ideas.

[Publius6961]

The 17th of Nisan

Evidently they had Japanese cars then so the old Japanese calendar 0f 200 B.C. probably threw them off.

[Salvation]

Parasceve

[week 71]

Very insightful link. Thanks. As stated in previous post I lean toward the Friday view as well. The main issue that gives me pause is the "three nights" statement. I've heard good explanations that satify my personal query about 90%. It isv that ten percent that keeps my mind about 10% open. Cheers

[BikerTrash]

"Six Days Before The Passover" (John 12:1).
This Is Appendix 156 From The Companion Bible.

   We are furnished by Scripture with certain facts and fixed points which, taken together, enable us (1) to determine the events which filled up the days of "the last week" of our Lord's life on earth; (2) to fix the day of His crucifixion; and (3) to ascertain the duration of the time He remained in the tomb.
   The difficulties connected with these three have arisen (1) from not having noted these fixed points; (2) from the fact of Gentiles' not having been conversant with the law concerning the three great feasts of the LORD; and (3) from not having reckoned the days as commencing (some six hours before our own) and running from sunset to sunset, instead of from midnight to midnight.
   To remove these difficulties, we must note :-

1. That the first day of each of the three feasts. Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, was " a holy convocation", a "sabbath" on which no servile work was to be done. See Leviticus 23:7, 24, 35. Compare Exodus 12:16.
      "That sabbath" and the "high day" of John 19:31, was the "holy convocation", the first day of the feast, which quite overshadowed the ordinary weekly sabbath.
      It was called by the Jews Yom tov = (Good day), and this is the greeting on that day throughout Jewry down to the present time.
      This great sabbath, having been mistaken from the earliest times for the weekly sabbath, has led to all the confusion.

2. This has naturally caused the futher difficulty as to the Lord's statement that "even as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40). Now, while it is quite correct to speak according to Hebrew idiom of "three days" or "three years", while they are only parts of three days or three years, yet that idiom does not apply in a case like this, where "three nights" are mentioned in addition to "three days". It will be noted that the Lord not only definitely states this, but repeats the full phraseology, so that we may not mistake it. See the subject fully discussed in Appendix 144.

3. We have therefore the following facts furnished for our sure guidance:
   1. The "high day" of John 19:31 was the first day of the feast.
      
   2. The "first day of the feast" was on the 15th day of Nisan.
      
   3. The 15th day of Nisan, commenced at sunset on what we should call the 14th.
      
   4. "Six days before the passover" (John 12:1) takes us back to the 9th day of Nisan.
      
   5. "After two days is the passover" (Matthew 26:2. Mark 14:1) takes us to the 13th day of Nisan.
      
   6. "The first day of the week", the day of the resurrection (Matthew 28:1, etc.), was from our Saturday sunset to our Sunday sunset. This fixes the days of the week, just as the above fix the days of the month, for:
      
   7. Reckoning back from this, "three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40), we arrive at the day of the burial, which must have been before sunset, on the 14th of Nisan; that is to say, before our Wednesday sunset.
      
   8. This makes the sixth day before the passover (the 9th day of Nisan) to be our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.

      Therefore Wednesday, Nisan 14th (commencing on the Tuesday at sunset), was "the preparation day", on which the crucifixion took place: for all four Gospels difinitely say that this was the day on which the Lord was buried (before our Wednesday sunset), "because it was the preparation [day]" the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, "for that sabbath day was a high day", and, therefore, not the ordinary seventh day, or weekly sabbath. See John 19:31.

4. It follows, therefore, that the Lord being crucified on "the preparation day" could not have eaten of the Passover lamb, which was not slain until the evening of the 14th of Nisan (that is to say, afternoon). On that day the daily sacrifice was killed at the 6th hour (noon) and offered about the 7th hour (1 p.m.). The killing of the Passover lambs began directly afterwards. Thus it is clear, that if the killing of the Passover lambs did not commence until about four hours after our Lord had been hanging upon the Cross, and would not have been concluded at the ninth hour (3 p.m.) when "He gave up the ghost;" -no "Passover lamb" could have been eaten at the "last supper" on the previous evening.

5. With these facts before us, we are now in a position to fill in the several days of the Lord's last week with the events recorded in the Gospels. By noting that the Lord returned to Bethany (or to the Mount of Olives) each night of that week, we are able to determine both the several days and the events that took place in them.

THE SIXTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 9th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The Lord approaches Jerusalem from Jericho.			19:1-10
He passes our Thursday night at the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5) And delivers the Parable of the Pounds.			19:11-27
He proceeds toward Jerusalem.			19:28
He sends two disciples apenanti for an "ass" and a "colt" (two animals).	21:1-7
And makes His first entry from Bethphage (not Bethany) (Appendix 153).	21:8,9
He is unexpected, and they ask "Who is this?"	21:10, 11
He cleanses the Temple.	21:12 - 16
HE RETURNS TO BETHANY.	21:17			12:1
THE FIFTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 10th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.)
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The Lord passes the Sabbath at Bethany; and after sunset (on our Saturday), the first of three suppers was made, probably at the house of Lazarus, in Bethany (Appendix 157).				12:2
At this supper the first of two anointings took place (Appendix 158).				12:3 - 11
THE FOURTH DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 11th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset.) the Gentile "Palm Sunday".
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The second, or triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He sends two disciples (katenanti for a colt (one animal). (See Appendix 153).		11:1 - 7	19:29 - 35	12:12-
The Lord starts from Bethany (not Bethphage) and is met by multitudes from Jerusalem (Appendix 153)		11:8 -10	19:36 - 40	12:12 - 19
He weeps over the city.			19:41 - 44
He enters the Temple, looks around.		11:11-
And RETURNS TO BETHANY		11:-11
THE THIRD DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 12th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset.)
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
In the morning (our Monday a.m.) the Lord returns to Jerusalem.	21:18	11:12
The Fig - tree cursed.	21:19 - 22	11:13 , 14
The Temple. Further cleansing.		11:15 - 17	19:45, 46
In the Temple. Further teaching, "Certain Greeks".			19:47-	12:20 - 50
Opposition of Rulers.		11:18	19:-47, 48
He goes out of the city (probably to Bethany; see Luke 21:37, 38 below).		11:19
THE SECOND DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 13th DAY OF NISAN. (Our Monday sunset to Tuesday sunset.)
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
In the mornig (our Tuesday a.m.) on the way to Jerusalem, the question of the disciples about the Fig Tree.		11:20 -26
In Jerusalem again: and in the Temple.	21:23 - 27	11:27 - 33	20:1 - 8
In Jerusalem teaching in Parables; and questions.	21:28 - 23:39	12:1 - 44	20:9 - 21:4
The first great prophecy, in the Temple (Appendix 155).			21:5 - 36
(Parenthetical statement as to the Lord's custom during the last week).			21:37, 38
The second great prophecy, on the Mount of Olives.	24:1 -51	13:1 - 37
The second great prophecy, continued (see Appendix 155).	25:1 - 46
"After two days is the Passover".	26:1 - 5	14:1, 2
HE RETURNS TO BETHATNY, and is present at the second supper in the house of Simon the leper. The second Anointing. See Appendix 157 and Appendix 158.	26:6 - 13	14:3 - 9
THE DAY BEFORE THE PASSOVER, THE 14th DAY OF NISAN - "THE PREPARATION DAY" - THE DAY OF THE CRUCIFIXION. (Our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset.)
	MATTHEW.	MARK.	LUKE.	JOHN.
The plot of Judas Iscariot to betray the Lord.	26:14 - 16	14:10, 11	22:1 - 6
The "preparation"for the last supper.1	26:17 - 19	14:121 -16	22:71 - 13
"The even was come" (our Tuesday after sunset) when the plot for the betrayal was ripe for execution.	26:20	14:17
The last supper, commencing with the washing of the feet.				13:1 - 20
The announcement of the betrayal, etc..	26:21 - 25	14:18 - 21		13:21 - 30
The supper eaten, the "New Covenant" made (Jeremiah 31:31). The lamb abolished, bread and wine substituted.	26:26 - 29	14:22 - 25	22:14 - 23
The first prophecy of Peter's denials (Appendix 160).				13:31 - 38
The strife; who should be the greatest, etc..			22:24 - 30
The second prophecy of Peter's denials (Appendix 160).			22:31 - 34
The final appeal to His first commission (Luke9:3).			22:35 - 38
The last discourse to the eleven, followed by His prayer.				14:1 - 17:26
They go to Gethsemane.	26:30 - 35	14:26 - 29	22:39	18:1
The third prophecy of Peter's denial. (Appendix 160).		14:30, 31
The agony in the garden.	26:36 - 46	14:32 - 42	22:40 - 46
The apprehension of the Lord (Appendix 165).	26:47 - 56	14:43 - 50	22:47 - 54	18:2 - 11
The escape of Lazarus (see notes on Mark 14:51, 52).		14:51, 52
The trials: continued throughout our Tuesday night.	26:57 - 27:31	14:53 - 15:19	22:54 - 23:25	18:12 - 19:13
About the sixth hour (our Tuesday midnight) Pilate said "Behold your King".				19:14, 15
Led away to be crucified.	27:31 -34	15:20 - 23	23:26 - 31	19:16, 17
And "led with Him" two "malefactors" (kakourgoi) (Appendix 164).			23:32, 33	19:18
Discussion with Pilate about the Inscriptions (Appendix 163).				19:19 - 22
The dividing of the garments.	27:35 - 37	15:24	23:34	19:23, 24
"It was the third hour, and they crucified Him" (our 9 a.m. Wednesday).		15:25, 26
"Then were there two robbers" (lestai) crucified with Him"(Appendix 164).	27:38	15:27, 28
The revilings of the rulers, both "robbers", and one "malefactor".	27:39 - 44	15:29 - 32	23:35 - 43
The Lord's mother and John.				19:25 27
"The sixth hour" (our Wednesday noon) and the darkness (Appendix 165).	27:45 - 49	15:33	23:44, 45
"The ninth hour" (our Wednesday 3 p.m.) and the expiring cry (Appendix 165).	27:50	15:34 - 37	23:46	19:28 - 30
Subsequent events.	27:51 - 56	15:38 - 41	23:47 - 49	19:31 - 37
Buried in haste before sunset (our Wednesday about 6 p.m.), before the "high day" (the first day of the Feast began), our Wednesday sunset.	27:57 - 66	15:42 - 47	23:50 - 56	19:38 - 42

"THE FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST" - "THE HIGH DAY" (Yom tov) - THE 15TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset.)
THE FIRST NIGHT AND FIRST DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

THE SECOND DAY OF THE FEAST - THE 16TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.)
THE SECOND NIGHT AND SECOND DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

THE THIRD DAY OF THE FEAST - "THE (WEEKLY) SABBATH" - THE 17TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Friday susnset to Saturday sunset.)
THE THIRD NIGHT AND THIRD DAY IN THE TOMB.

---

"THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK" - THE 18TH DAY OF NISAN.
(Our Saturday sunset: "the third day" of Matthew 16:21, etc.;
not the third day of the Feast.)

---

	MATTHEW	MARK	LUKE	JOHN
Thus, the Resurrection of the Lord took place at our Saturday sunset, or thereabouts, on "the third day"; compare "after three days" (Matthew 27:63. Mark 8:31).	28:1 - 10	16:1 - 18	24:1 - 49	20:1 - 23

[For the sequence of events connected with and following the Resurrection, see Appendix 166.]

   It will be seen from the above that we have neither power nor authority to alter or shift any day or date; or to change the order or position of any of the events recorded in Holy Writ.
   Each day is marked by a return to Bethany during the last week (up to the Preparation Day); and each day is filled with the recorded events.
   It follows, therefore, that the Lord was crucified on our Wednesday; was buried on that day before sunset; and remained "three days and three nights" in the tomb, as foretold by Him in Matthew 12:40; rising from the dead on "the third day", "the first day of the week".
   The fixed days and dates, at either end, hold the whole period as in a vice, and place the whole subject on a sure foundation.

NOTE

   ¹ The words in Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7 refer to "the first day of unleavened bread", which was the 14th day of Nisan, and therefore "the preparation day". That is why the Lord goes on to tell the two disciples to go and make preparation for the Passover.

[Prodigal Daughter]

The Council of Nicea outlawed celebration of the Resurrection at Passover.

[BikerNYC]

Maybe they had daylight savings time and they lost a day somehow. Sping ahead...fall...or is if fall ahead...something's missing.

[Salvation]

"three nights" statement.

But as the link stated:
It could be parts of three days and three nights.

Many people tend to translate the Bible too literally.

[week 71]

Many people tend to translate the Bible too literally.

Hey now... I happen to be one of those that take it very literally and very seriously. I believe any solution to this or any other problem will be resolved with a literal interpretation. That is why an understanding of Greek and Hebrew is so vital for teachers. Anyway thanks again for your input, because it buttresses the position I tend to hold and that is always nice. Cheers

[week 71]

Very provocative reply in post 32. There are some well thought out and referenced points. Noted

[Thinkin' Gal]

There's no problem with Friday. He rested on the Sabbath.

Genesis 2:1-3

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

As far as this one is concerned...

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. -Matthew 12:40

1) It is an assumption that He was referring to Himself and His crucifixion (cf. Rev 11:7-11). There's more than one 'son of man' in Scripture. Ezekiel comes to mind. Daniel is also addressed by that title (Dan 8:17). The passage is futuristic, and the context could very easily been seen as an event far removed from the 1st century. That generation is also 'this' generation: the evil, wicked, adulterous, unbelieving generation.

2) It is only an interpretation that the 'heart of the earth' is a grave. Maybe it is, but the verse does not say that. It looks more like a metaphor for Jerusalem and/or Babylon.

Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Well this event makes a few merrymakers take notice:

Revelation 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

While one lone verse [Matthew 12:40] is spun out of control, several authors state that Jesus rose 'the third day' [e.g. 1 Cor 15:4; Acts 10:40; Luke 9:22; 18:33; 24:7, 46; Mark 9:31; 10:34 etc.]

In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Speaking of the 'third day', it might also mean that He'll come back on Tuesday (Hebrew Yom Shlishi, lit, 'third day'). Hehehe...

[week 71]

Thanks for the link. That is very in depth and very useful.