Answer: I have heard it argued Wednesday or Thursday. No one can really
justify the good Friday theory because of the following verse:
Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 12:40, "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."
If Jesus died on Friday afternoon and rose on Sunday, that would not make
3 NIGHTS. No matter how you add it up, you can never get three nights from
Friday to Sunday morning. Friday does not give us enough time for three days
and three nights. We know that Jesus arose from the dead on Sunday, which
is the first day of the week. The key to knowing what day the crucifixion took
place is the "three nights" part. We must not only count the three days but
also THREE NIGHTS.
I always believed that Jesus died on Thursday until someone recently pointed
out to me that Wednesday was also a possibility. (The Christian internet
grapevine has a way of toying with one's own beliefs sometimes. You read one
theory and it appears so accurate until you read the entire text of Scripture
and then their theory falls apart like a house of cards.) I briefly recanted my
view from Thursday in favor of Wednesday and even posted their theory on
our website for a couple of hours but further discussion with a friend tonight
proves that the day Jesus died is still Thursday, if you stick to the Bible.
Something that troubled me concerning the Wednesday theory is that because
Jesus said, "three days and three nights," for Him to die on a Wednesday
would constitute 4 nights before Resurrection. Those in favor of "Wednesday
night" argue that Jesus rose again beginning the first day, which would be
Saturday evening (Gentile time.) Their theory is inaccurate when weighed
against Scripture. Jesus died on Thursday.
If Jesus were to die on Wednesday, He would have had to have risen BEFORE
Saturday Evening to satisfy the "3 days, 3 nights" requirement. We will prove
to you that the only Biblical answer is Thursday.
The Bible tells us that Jesus spent "three days and three nights," not "three
nights and three days." In order to believe the Wednesday night theory, you
have to count the nights first rather than the days first.
The "three days and three nights" is mentioned several times throughout the
gospels. God placed the wording as such for a reason. If Jesus actually died
on Wednesday, then why didn't the Bible state that He was "three nights and
three days??"
It says just the opposite. When we stick to the Word of God, the answers
become concise.
Jesus died at around 3:00pm (Luke 23:44) in the afternoon right about the
time when the passover lambs were being slaughtered in preparation for the
Passover. After Jesus gave up the ghost and died, we read in John 19:31 that
the Jews went to Pilate requesting that the legs of those crucified be broken to
quicken their death. Pilate gives the order and the soldiers broke the legs of
the two thieves but they did not brake Jesus' legs (Psalm 34:20) (Exodus 12:46
and Numbers 9:12) because they found Jesus was already dead so they pierced
(Zechariah 12:10) His side instead and blood and water flowed (John 19:34.)
Isaiah 53:6-7 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a
lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth."
Jesus died at the exact time when the Passover lambs were being slain in
Jerusalem. This makes perfect sense, considering that Jesus is the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sins of the world. When we read Isaiah 53, the
sole purpose of the crucifixion becomes crystal clear: that Messiah Jesus had
to die for the sins of the world.
John19:39-42 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus
by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound
weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the
spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was
crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was
never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews'
preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Jesus said that He would be in the grave three days and three nights and then
He would rise again.
I will explain my position of why Jesus died on Thursday. Follow me closely
here. Let it sink in:
Jesus Died on Thursday
Buried on Thursday .. in the grave already on thursday night = 1 night
In Tomb all day on Friday and Friday night = 2 nights
All day Saturday and then Saturday night= 3 nights
Rising again on Sunday morning....before dawn. Remember the "Three
nights" part is the key to understanding the day in which Jesus was crucified.
Matt 28:1-6 "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day
of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for
fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel
answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay."
The "Wednesday night group," who suggest that Jesus arose on Saturday
evening are missing a key verse. Notice above that "as it began to dawn." The
Greek word means "grow light." It would not be getting light out on Saturday
evening, just the opposite.
We must conclude that Jesus was crucified on Thursday, the day of
preparation for the Passover. He died the very hour the lambs were being
slaughtered.
For Christians, the most important thing is that Jesus died for our sins.
(Isaiah 53, Psalm 22:16, Daniel 9:26 ) and that He rose again (Psalm 16:10) for
our justification.
Acts 17:2-3 "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging,
that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that
this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ."
1Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept.
We have hope because JESUS is ALIVE! The Old and New Testaments testify
that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus was born to die for our sins and He rose
again. This is the Good News message. This is the Gospel!
Acts 13:33-39 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he
hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up
from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will
give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm,
Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had
served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his
fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no
corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through
this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that
believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved."
Jesus said in Luke 24:44-47, "And he said unto them, These are the words
which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the
psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it
behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
If you have any comments or questions, leave a note on our message board
and we will be happy to answer your question.
Copyright © 2001-2004 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
justify the good Friday theory because of the following verse:
Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 12:40, "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."
If Jesus died on Friday afternoon and rose on Sunday, that would not make
3 NIGHTS. No matter how you add it up, you can never get three nights from
Friday to Sunday morning. Friday does not give us enough time for three days
and three nights. We know that Jesus arose from the dead on Sunday, which
is the first day of the week. The key to knowing what day the crucifixion took
place is the "three nights" part. We must not only count the three days but
also THREE NIGHTS.
I always believed that Jesus died on Thursday until someone recently pointed
out to me that Wednesday was also a possibility. (The Christian internet
grapevine has a way of toying with one's own beliefs sometimes. You read one
theory and it appears so accurate until you read the entire text of Scripture
and then their theory falls apart like a house of cards.) I briefly recanted my
view from Thursday in favor of Wednesday and even posted their theory on
our website for a couple of hours but further discussion with a friend tonight
proves that the day Jesus died is still Thursday, if you stick to the Bible.
Something that troubled me concerning the Wednesday theory is that because
Jesus said, "three days and three nights," for Him to die on a Wednesday
would constitute 4 nights before Resurrection. Those in favor of "Wednesday
night" argue that Jesus rose again beginning the first day, which would be
Saturday evening (Gentile time.) Their theory is inaccurate when weighed
against Scripture. Jesus died on Thursday.
If Jesus were to die on Wednesday, He would have had to have risen BEFORE
Saturday Evening to satisfy the "3 days, 3 nights" requirement. We will prove
to you that the only Biblical answer is Thursday.
The Bible tells us that Jesus spent "three days and three nights," not "three
nights and three days." In order to believe the Wednesday night theory, you
have to count the nights first rather than the days first.
The "three days and three nights" is mentioned several times throughout the
gospels. God placed the wording as such for a reason. If Jesus actually died
on Wednesday, then why didn't the Bible state that He was "three nights and
three days??"
It says just the opposite. When we stick to the Word of God, the answers
become concise.
Jesus died at around 3:00pm (Luke 23:44) in the afternoon right about the
time when the passover lambs were being slaughtered in preparation for the
Passover. After Jesus gave up the ghost and died, we read in John 19:31 that
the Jews went to Pilate requesting that the legs of those crucified be broken to
quicken their death. Pilate gives the order and the soldiers broke the legs of
the two thieves but they did not brake Jesus' legs (Psalm 34:20) (Exodus 12:46
and Numbers 9:12) because they found Jesus was already dead so they pierced
(Zechariah 12:10) His side instead and blood and water flowed (John 19:34.)
Isaiah 53:6-7 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a
lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth."
Jesus died at the exact time when the Passover lambs were being slain in
Jerusalem. This makes perfect sense, considering that Jesus is the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sins of the world. When we read Isaiah 53, the
sole purpose of the crucifixion becomes crystal clear: that Messiah Jesus had
to die for the sins of the world.
John19:39-42 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus
by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound
weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the
spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was
crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was
never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews'
preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Jesus said that He would be in the grave three days and three nights and then
He would rise again.
I will explain my position of why Jesus died on Thursday. Follow me closely
here. Let it sink in:
Jesus Died on Thursday
Buried on Thursday .. in the grave already on thursday night = 1 night
In Tomb all day on Friday and Friday night = 2 nights
All day Saturday and then Saturday night= 3 nights
Rising again on Sunday morning....before dawn. Remember the "Three
nights" part is the key to understanding the day in which Jesus was crucified.
Matt 28:1-6 "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day
of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for
fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel
answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus,
which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay."
The "Wednesday night group," who suggest that Jesus arose on Saturday
evening are missing a key verse. Notice above that "as it began to dawn." The
Greek word means "grow light." It would not be getting light out on Saturday
evening, just the opposite.
We must conclude that Jesus was crucified on Thursday, the day of
preparation for the Passover. He died the very hour the lambs were being
slaughtered.
For Christians, the most important thing is that Jesus died for our sins.
(Isaiah 53, Psalm 22:16, Daniel 9:26 ) and that He rose again (Psalm 16:10) for
our justification.
Acts 17:2-3 "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three
sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging,
that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that
this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ."
1Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept.
We have hope because JESUS is ALIVE! The Old and New Testaments testify
that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus was born to die for our sins and He rose
again. This is the Good News message. This is the Gospel!
Acts 13:33-39 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he
hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art
my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up
from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will
give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm,
Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had
served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his
fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no
corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through
this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that
believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt
be saved."
Jesus said in Luke 24:44-47, "And he said unto them, These are the words
which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the
psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it
behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
If you have any comments or questions, leave a note on our message board
and we will be happy to answer your question.
Copyright © 2001-2004 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved
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