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** CRUCIFIXION **
WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK?
Theories discussing the death of Jesus Christ range from Wednesday through
to Friday.
Wednesday - the '3 days and 3 nights' view.
Thursday - the exclusive 'third day' view.
Friday - the traditional view.
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The different views on the day of death claim different proofs:
FRIDAY - the day prior to the weekly Jewish Sabbath
Jesus Christ died prior to a Sabbath. (Mark 15:42)
- fits the 'third day'(Matt 16:21) requirement, if the days
are counted inclusively (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
- the 'day of Preparation'(Mark 15:42), if Scripture uses
this term in relation to preparation for the weekly
Sabbath.
THURSDAY - fits the 'third day' requirement, if the days are counted
exclusively, ie excluding the day of His death.
WEDNESDAY - provides scope for the fulfilment of '3 days and 3 nights
in the heart of the earth' (Matt 12:40)
- fits the 'after three days'(Matt 27:63) requirement, if
this expression is referring to three 24 hour periods
- commonly understood to allow for the purchase and
subsequent preparation of spices between two holy days.
(Refer Mark 16:1 & Luke 23:56)
- would coincide with the middle of the week, a time when
according to Daniel 9:27 there would be an end to
sacrifice and offering.
** RESURRECTION **
SATURDAY or SUNDAY?
Most agree that Christ rose Sunday morning. 
Nevertheless, those who believe Christ died on Wednesday often teach
that Christ rose late Saturday.
Scripture repeatedly states Jesus Christ rose on the third day! So
which day is presented as 'the third day'?
Luke 24:12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping
down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves;
and he departed, marveling to himself at what had
happened.
:13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day
to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven
miles from Jerusalem.
:15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that
Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
:17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation
is this that you have with one another as you walk
and are sad?"
:19 ... And they said to Him, "The things concerning
Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
and word before God and all the people,
:20 "and how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered Him to be condemned to death, and
crucified Him.
:21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going
to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today
is the third day since these things happened".
Jesus Christ met and talked with the two apostles travelling to Emmaus on
the afternoon of the same day that His resurrection was first apparent to
His disciples. This day, was the day following the weekly Sabbath.
This Sunday is described in Luke 24:21 as the 'third day since', suggesting
Sunday was the prophesied 'third day' of resurrection. Luke 24:21 uses the
word 'since', however, one should keep in mind the bible in counting days
normally counts inclusively, ie without the implication of such notions as
'since' or 'after'.
It should also be noted this Sunday was no ordinary Jewish day. This Sunday
was the day of the commanded wave sheaf offering, a ceremony which initiated
the new years harvest.
Other factors need to be considered, but there is a strong suggestion that
Sunday was indeed the day of resurrection.
CRUCIFIXION TIMELINE - KEY WORDS
Let us consider the key terms encountered in the Gospels:
'the third day'
- Matt 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, 27:64; Mark 9:31, 10:34;
Luke 9:22, 13:32, 18:33, 24:7, 24:21, 24:46;
Acts 10:40; 1Cor 15:4
'after three days'
- Matt 27:63; Mark 8:31
'three days and three nights'
(the 'sign of the prophet Jonah')
- Matt 12:39-40, 16:4; Luke 11:29-30
'in three days'
- Matt 26:61, 27:40; Mark 14:58, 15:29; John 2:19-21.
[ Verses spoken by Jesus Christ are shown in red. ]
THE THIRD DAY
As can be seen the most popular expression used was 'the third day'.
Informing us that Jesus Christ would be raised the third day. This
was stated by Christ, the apostles and the Pharisees.
There has been discussion concerning whether the counting of these
three days should include or exclude the day of His death.
AFTER THREE DAYS
Scripture uses the term 'after three days' in conjunction with the
term 'the third day'.
(A)
Matt 27:62 ... the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together
to Pilate,
:63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive,
how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise'".
:64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until
the third day ...
(NB: The Greek says 'until the third day' and does not
specifically indicate until the end of the third
day. As Scripture tends to use 'until' in an
exclusive manner, eg. 'until death', if understood
normally it would suggest the guard could leave at
the close of the second day (start of the third day).
As the third day was when Christ was to rise this
is an unsatisfactory understanding. So another
explanation has to be identified. A satisfactory
understanding would be to view the 'third day' as
referring to the start of the third day of the
counting toward Pentecost. This would mean the
guard would continue to guard the tomb a further
day after the day Christ was to rise. At first
this may seem a little too long, but one has to
consider that the Jewish leadership did not know
if Christ's promise to rise was to occur early or
late on the resurrection day and they wanted to be
sure that they removed any possibility of His body
being secretly removed during any time of adjacent
darkness.)
(B)
Matt 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples
that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things
from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and
be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must
suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders
and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and
after three days rise again.
The combining of the terms 'the third day' and 'after three days'
appears on the surface to be a contradiction!
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS
The following scripture strongly implies Christ would be in the tomb
for a full three days.
Matt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and
adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and
no sign will be given to it except the sign of
the prophet Jonah.
:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights
in the belly of the great fish, so will the
Son of Man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth.
The 'sign of the prophet Jonah' was to be a great sign to the people
of Christ's generation. Notice however that verses quoting or referring
to the 'three days and three nights' are only ever spoken by Christ!
IN THREE DAYS
Although the term 'in three days' does not directly point to the death
and resurrection of Christ, but rather to the rebuilding of the church,
it is helpful in assisting the reader in coming to a proper understanding
of the sequence of events.
John 2:18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What
sign do You show to us, since You do these
things?"
:19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up."
:20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six
years to build this temple, and will You raise
it up in three days?"
:21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
:22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead,
His disciples remembered that He had said this
to them; and they believed the Scripture and
the word which Jesus had said.
[ 1Cor 3:9 We are God's fellow workers; you are God's
field, you are God's building.
:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of
God ... ]
It is interesting that the use of the term 'in three days' is encountered
in chapter 2 of the Gospel of John. This phrase is therefore first
expressed very early in the mission of Jesus Christ.
CRUCIFIXION - DAY OF WEEK IDENTIFIED
There are a number of issues surrounding the study of which day Christ
died. The annual Holy days, the daily cycle, the women visiting the
tomb and the prophetic symbolism.
However, to understand which day Christ died the four expressions,
'the third day', 'after three days', 'three days and three nights',
and 'in three days' are critical.
As already shown two of these expressions are obviously literal and
quoted in unison;
'the third day' and 'after three days'.
'THE THIRD DAY' & 'AFTER THREE DAYS'
In modern terms we would normally say 'after two days on the third day'
or 'after three days on the fourth day', but not 'after three days on
the third day'.
Considering these terms using different methods of reckoning provides the
following:
'THE THIRD DAY'
- counted inclusively = Death-Day Day Rise-Day
- counted exclusively = Death-Day Day Day Rise-Day
'AFTER THREE DAYS'
- 3 x 24 hour periods = Death-Day Day Day Day Rise-Day
- close of 3 days = Death-Day Day Day Rise-Day
(including Death-Day)
Notice, the same timing is indicated by two of these perspectives;
'the third day' when counted exclusively, and
'after three days' when counting the close of days.
This logic seems to offer a solution until one realizes that unless the
text indicates otherwise Scripture counts inclusively, not exclusively!
(This is most evident after one has spent time studying the topic of
biblical chronology.)
The true solution lies in the existence of a 7 day feast, the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, which started on the day following the death of Jesus
Christ.
The third day was not as commonly thought to be calculated from the day
of His death, but from the start of this yearly festival!
The prophesied 'third day' of resurrection was the;
*** THIRD DAY of the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ***
[ Note: The 3rd day of this feast was significant, on the morning
of this day the celebrated 3 day fast of Esther was 'broken'.]
In summary, the following was the correct chronology.
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Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
After 3 Days 1st day 2nd day 3rd day raised
finishes finishes finishes
3rd Day of 1st day 2nd day 3rd day
the Feast death of feast of feast of feast
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This line of reasoning eliminates the Wednesday and Friday death views!
'IN THREE DAYS'
When we consider the term 'in three days' it also fits.
The church of Christ progressively perishes during Thursday;
betrayal before sunrise, the trial, Peter's denial,
the scourging, the crucifixion, death and burial.
Then the church on the third subsequent day progressively rises;
discovery of the empty tomb, vision of angels, appearance to
Mary, seen by two disciples, seen by an assembly of disciples.
'THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS'
Nevertheless, a Thursday death fails to adequately explain the term
'three days and three nights'.
One could follow the argument that a part of a period of time can represent
the whole of that period of time. Therefore suggesting;
Part of Thursday daylight - 1st daylight
All of Thursday night - 1st night
All of Friday daylight - 2nd daylight
All of Friday night - 2nd night
All of Saturday daylight - 3rd daylight
Most of Saturday night - 3rd night
However, let us be honest, the term 'three days and three nights' does
suggest a full three 24 hour periods. In addition, Matt 27:57 and Mark
15:42 state 'evening' had already arrived before Joseph asked for the
body of Christ, so there is an issue over whether any part of Thursday
daylight can be included.
So how can a Thursday death yield a period of 72 hours in the grave?
This creates quite a dilemma until one realizes there is no real proof that
the expression '3 days and 3 nights' was meant to be understood at a literal
level. In Scripture we find no record of the apostles or the Jewish hierarchy
repeating this expression, only Christ spoke these words and linked them to
the sign of the prophet Jonah.
THE SYMBOLIC '3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS'
If not literal, what is the meaning of Christ's words?
Matt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil and
adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and
no sign will be given to it except the sign of
the prophet Jonah.
:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights
in the belly of the great fish, so will the
Son of Man be three days and three nights in
the heart of the earth.
Luke 11:30 For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so also the Son of Man will be to this generation.
Picking up on the thought of Luke 11:30, it is evident to those aware
of the account of Jonah, that Jonah was not a witness to the city of
Nineveh as a result of spending 3 days and 3 nights in the big fish.
Rather, Jonah was a sign to the people of Nineveh, because he spent
3 days journeying from one side of Nineveh to the other.
Jon 3:3 ... Now Nineveh was an exceedingly
great city, a three day journey in
extent.
:4 And Jonah began to enter the city
on the first day's walk.
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Combine this with the understanding that the word 'earth' is sometimes
used by Scripture to symbolize the 'spiritual earth' and that a 'day'
may symbolize a 'year', and the meaning becomes clear.
The great sign given to that generation, the sign of the prophet Jonah,
was that Christ would spend three summers and three winters preaching
amongst the Jewish people! The sign that Jesus was the Christ, was not
how long He spent in the grave, but the length of His ministry!
Christ's ministry began following the imprisonment of John the Baptist.
Matt 4:12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in
prison, He departed to Galilee.
:13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in
Capernaum, ...
:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to
say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand".
DAY OF WEEK 'TIMING' SUMMARY
The terms 'the third day' and 'after three days' are literal expressions
which together clearly identify the period of burial.
The 'third day' was not calculated from the day of His death, but rather
was the 'third day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread'.
The term 'in three days' related to a progressive raising of the church
on the third day following it's destruction.
The term 'three days and three nights' is a symbolic comment and although
it appears relevant to this topic, it is in reality an allusion to the
length of Christ's ministry.
CRUCIFIXION - DAY OF MONTH
The day of the month on which Jesus Christ died can be determined by
considering the applicable New Testament verses.
PASSOVER - BEFORE & AFTER HIS DEATH?
Scripture records Passover being observed before and after the death of
Christ!
BEFORE
Matt 26:17 ... the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him,
"Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat
the Passover?"
:18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man,
and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is
at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house
with My disciples"'"
:19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them;
and they prepared the Passover.
Luke 22:15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have
desired to eat this Passover with you before I
suffer;"
AFTER
John 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium,
and it was early morning. But they themselves did
not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be
defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.
These conflicting thoughts have led to much controversy.
However, Scripture is correct in presenting Two Passover Observances!
These observances took place on successive nights and each was
celebrated differently.
The first Passover was observed in private homes.
The second Passover was observed at the house of God.
DAY BEFORE DEATH - 'UNLEAVENED BREAD'
Matt 26:17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the
Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus,
saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare
for You to eat the Passover?"
:18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man,
and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is
at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house
with My disciples."' "
Mark 14:12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when
they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples
said to Him, "Where do You want us to go and
prepare, that You may eat the Passover?"
Luke 22:7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the
Passover must be killed.
The NKJV is in error in;
1) adding the words 'the Feast of' in Matt 26:17,
2) capitalizing the words 'unleavened bread' in all three verses
3) capitalizing the word 'day' in Luke 22:7.
The presentation of the NKJV misleads the reader into believing the
first day of the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" is being alluded to.
The verses are merely referring to the day in which some unleavened
bread was to be first eaten.
The first occasion of the year in which there was a requirement to
eat some unleavened bread was the occasion of the Passover lamb meal
(ie, the Passover which was held in private homes).
The seven day "Feast of Unleavened Bread" was a subsequent event and
followed the second Passover (the Passover held at the temple).
Refer Lev 23:5-6.
Notice also, that in the above verses, Scripture is stating that the
morning prior to the eating of unleavened bread (at the lamb Passover)
fell in the same day in which this Passover service was held. Since
Passover occurs after sunset (and many have been taught the biblical
day ended at sunset) they would have said the Passover service fell
in the following day.
The answering lies in an accurate understanding of when the biblical
day ended.
NEXT DAY - PREPARATION FOR FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
John 19:31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day,
that the bodies should not remain on the cross
on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day),
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be
broken, and that they might be taken away.
Mark 15:42 Now when evening had come, because it was the
Preparation Day, that is, the day before the
Sabbath,
'Preparation Day' is discussed further in the following page.
Preparation occurs on the day prior to the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
During the time for Preparation it was necessary for the Israelites to
prepare for the feast by removing leaven from their houses (Exod 12:15,19).
The day following Preparation was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened
Bread. This first day of the feast was a day of commanded rest, an annual
sabbath (refer Lev 23:6-7). This annual sabbath is what is being described
in John 19:31 as a 'high day'.
[ NB: Many noticing that Jesus Christ died prior to a 'sabbath' have
immediately assumed a Friday death. However, one needs to also
consider the existence of annual sabbaths.]
RESURRECTION - AFTER 'SABBATHS'
Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week
began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
came to see the tomb.
The word for 'Sabbath' in the above verse is in the Greek plural form and
should be rendered 'sabbaths'!
Two sabbaths passed prior to the day of resurrection:
1) an annual sabbath
2) a weekly Sabbath
DATE OF MONTH SUMMARY
These above verses when understood in conjunction with the Old Covenant
teachings make it apparent that Jesus Christ died between the two Passover
ceremonies. This means He died at the time the firstborn animals were
being slaughtered and prepared for the observance of the temple Passover.
That day was the 14th of the month of Abib.
The prior day, when the Passover lamb and unleavened bread were eaten,
was the 13th.
The following day (the 15th) was an annual sabbath, the first day of the
Feast of Unleavened Bread. This 'high' day always fell on the 15th of the
first month.
CRUCIFIXION - OTHER ASPECTS
There are many aspects of the chronology of the crucifixion, which should
be considered, including:
- The comparable chronology of Exodus
- The week prior to the crucifixion
- The arrival of the ladies to the tomb
- The period from resurrection to Pentecost
- A detailed review of events during
the day of Christ's death.
Some of these will be briefly discussed. |
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CHRONOLOGY OF THE EXODUS
Refer the page,
and the page,
THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE CRUCIFIXION
Friday - 8th
- 6 days before the Passover(14th) Jesus arrives in Bethany;
John 12:1.
- Supper with Lazarus and Martha, Mary anoints the feet of Jesus;
John 12:3.
Saturday - 9th - Weekly Sabbath
- Many Jews visit, to see Jesus and Lazarus; John 12:9.
Sunday - 10th - Lamb Set Aside
- The next day a crowd awaits Christ's arrival in Jerusalem,
John 12:12.
- Christ enters Jerusalem on a colt; Matt 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10,
Luke 19:29-40.
- Prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 19:41-44.
- Goes into the temple, looks around and as it is already late
leaves, Mark 11:11.
- Goes to Bethany with the twelve; Mark 11:11.
Monday - 11th
- Now the next day, Mark 11:12.
- Fig tree cursed, Mark 11:12-14.
- Overturned the tables of the moneychangers; Matt 21:12-13,
Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:29-40.
- Heals the blind and lame in the temple, Matt 21:14.
- 'Hosanna' cried out in the temple, Matt 21:15-16.
- Lodges in Bethany, Matt 21:17.
Tuesday - 12th
- In the morning; Matt 21:18, Mark 11:20.
- "on one of those days", Luke 20:1.
- Previous fig tree withered, Mark 11:20-21.
- Second fig tree cursed and withers immediately, Matt 21:18-19.
(NB: - The first fig tree takes a day to wither and becomes
'dried up from the roots'. The curse is "Let no one
eat fruit from you ever again". It is Peter who
points out that the previously cursed fig tree has
withered away.
- The second fig tree withers instantly.
The curse is "Let no fruit grow on you ever again".
The disciples ask how it withered so rapidly. )
- Teaching- Asked in prayer; Matt 21:21-22, Mark 11:22-24.
- Forgiveness, Mark 11:25-26.
- Christ's authority questioned; Matt 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33,
Luke 20:1-8.
- Sayings - Two sons, Matt 21:28-32
- Wicked Vinedressers; Matt 21:33-44, Mark 12:1-11,
Luke 20:9-18.
- Wedding feast, Matt 22:1-14.
- Testing - Taxes to Caesar; Matt 22:15-16, Mark 12:13-17,
Luke 20:21-25.
- Resurrection; Matt 22:23-32, Mark 12:18-27,
Luke 20:27-39.
- Greatest Commandment; Matt 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34.
- Question- David called his descendant Lord; Matt 22:41-46,
Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44.
- Teaching- Woe to Scribes and Pharisees; Matt 23:1-39,
Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47.
- Widow's 2 mites into the treasury; Mark 12:41-44,
Luke 21:1-4.
- As leaving the temple Christ predicts its destruction;
Matt 24:1-2, Mark 13:1-2, Luke 21:5-6.
- Sitting on the Mount of Olives; Matt 24:3, Mark 13:3.
- Sayings - Sign of Coming; Matt 24:4-31, Mark 13:4-27,
Luke 21:7-28.
- Fig tree budding; Matt 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31,
Luke 21:29-33.
- Day or hour; Matt 24:36-44, Mark 13:32-33,
Luke 21:34-36.
- Faithful and Evil Servants; Matt 24:45-51,
Mark 13:34-37.
- Wise and foolish virgins, Matt 25:1-13.
- The talents, Matt 25:14-30
- Son of Man will Judge the Nations, Matt 25:31-46.
- When finished all these sayings, Matt 26:1.
- [NB: In the KJV Luke 21:38 seems to imply the start of a
new day, but this should be grouped with verse 37
and considered as a comment. A comment which explains
that the people went to see him early each morning. ]
- After 2 days will be the Passover, when Christ would be
crucified (ie the 14th Passover); Matt 26:2, Mark 14:1.
- Feast of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, drawing near,
Luke 22:1.
- Jewish hierarchy meets and plots to kill Christ, before
the feast starts; Matt 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:2.
- During supper at the house of Simon the leper a woman
anoints the head of Christ; Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9.
(NB: This is the event also described in John 12:2-8.
John 12:2-8 is an inset into the sequential flow of
the gospel of John. We know this because anointing
the feet of Jesus for His burial would make no sense
if it occurred 6 days before his death.)
- Judas Iscariot goes to chief priests and agrees to betray
Christ; Matt 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6.
Wednesday - 13th - Private Home Passover
- Day of unleavened bread and killing of Passover (lamb);
Matt 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13.
- Greeks ask to meet Christ, John 12:20-22.
- Christ is troubled and speaks of His death, John 12:23-36.
- Christ departs and hides from the crowd, John 12:36.
- Passover supper with disciples; Matt 26:20-25, Mark 14:17-21,
Luke 22:14-16.
Thursday - 14th - Temple Passover
- Christ crucified.
- Jewish hierarchy observe the temple Passover, John 18:28.
ARRIVAL OF LADIES TO THE TOMB
As one begins to take a closer look at this portion of Scripture its
complexities become apparent.
There are some ladies who purchase spices and arrive at the tomb after
sunrise. These ladies after visiting the tomb say nothing to anyone.
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought
spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
:2 Very early in the morning, on the first day
of the week (first of the 'Sabbaths'), they
came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
:8 And they went out quickly and fled from the
tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And
they said nothing to anyone, for they were
afraid.
We also have some ladies who had already prepared spices who very early
in the morning arrive at the tomb (apparently before sunrise, John 20:1
and Matt 28:1) and then return to tell the eleven.
Luke 24:1 Now on the first day of the week (first of
'Sabbaths'), very early in the morning, they,
and certain other women with them, came to the
tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.
:9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all
these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
RESURRECTION TO PENTECOST
Since Christ arose on the same day the wave sheaf was offered and
'Pentecost' is the New Testament name for the 'Feast of Weeks', a
period of 50 days (counted inclusively) elapsed between these events.
Christ was seen by His disciples over 40 of these days.
Acts 1:3 to whom He was also presented Himself alive
after His suffering by many infallible proofs,
being seen by them during forty days and
speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God.
During this time issues arise in respect to the order of appearances
and the travel to the mountain in Galilee.
CRUCIFIXION / RESURRECTION SUMMARY
CHRONOLOGY SUMMARY
Wednesday - 13th
- disciples ask where the Passover would be eaten
- two disciples prepare the room for the 1st Passover
- the Passover lamb and unleavened bread are eaten
with Christ.
Thursday - 14th
- Day of Preparation - leaven removed from houses
- Christ crucified and placed in tomb
- slaughter of firstborn animals while Christ dies
- some women see tomb and return to prepare spices
- Jews observe the second Passover.
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Friday - 15th - ANNUAL SABBATH
- sabbath of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread
- chief priests request the tomb to be sealed.
Saturday - 16th - WEEKLY SABBATH
- weekly Sabbath observed
Sunday - 17th
- wave sheaf offering day
- Christ resurrected
- some woman buy spices
- Christ appears to some women
- Christ appears to two disciples going to Emmaus.
ERRORS OF THE FRIDAY DEATH VIEW
- Inadequate acknowledgement of the term 'after three days'.
- Failure to realize annual days of commanded rest are 'sabbaths'
(refer Lev 23:24,32,39).
- Too quick to assume 'Preparation' meant preparation for the
weekly sabbath
- For some, an incorrect understanding of how the wave sheaf
day was determined.
ERRORS OF THE WEDNESDAY DEATH VIEW
- Excessive emphasis upon one thought, '3 days and 3 nights'
- Failure to adequately account for the ladies not visiting
the tomb on the interim non-sabbath day
- Ignoring of Luke 24:21 which states Sunday was the 3rd day
- Forcing of the scriptures to arrive at a Saturday
resurrection while ignoring the symbolism of the
subsequent wave sheaf day.
COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Two issues have generated a great deal of confusion.
- Not recognizing the existence of two different Passovers
- The assumption that the current Jewish teaching, that
sunset was the end of the 24 hour day, is accurate.
FINAL COMMENT
The study of the chronology of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is
a complex but rewarding area of study.
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