IMPORTANT! The time period prophesied, must include the period of suffering

not simply the time period during which Jesus remained dead.

The whole process of humiliation was included in this “belly of the whale” experience (Matt. 16:21, Mk. 8:31, Mk. 9:12, Lk. 9:22, Lk. 17:25). To the mob near the garden, Jesus said, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Lk 22:53). “Behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners” (Matt. 26:46).

“The hour” begins with the kiss of Judas in the Garden.

            The angels at the tomb said to the women: “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:6-7).

From the kiss of Judas in the garden, to the glorious resurrection, “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” - in the hands of evil. Remember, Roman soldiers were guarding His tomb.

BOTH ARE TRUE.

DEFINITIONS OF A “DAY:

      1. the part of 24 hours when it is not dark outside, (aprox. 12 hrs)

      2. the time period from sundown to sundown (24 hrs).

Remember - any part of a day counts as a day in Hebrew reckoning.

      If the sun was shining at the moment of the resurrection - then it was counted as a “day.”

      He is resurrected ON the “third day” because the sun had dawned.

      He is resurrected ON “the third day” because it is Adar 16, and He died on Adar 14.

He spends “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” because we begin the time when He is bound and taken into custody, during the night of Adar 14.

      From the first day, to the third day just at sunrise, encompasses “three days and three nights!!”

 ---------------- Adar 14 ----------------- ----------------- Adar 15 ----------------- ------------------ Adar 16 ----------------

MARK 8:31 vs MARK 9:31

Mark 8:31 “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

Mark 9:31 “... the Son of Man is being delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the     third day.”

The three days of Mark 8:31 would then INCLUDE everything that He suffered, not just the period during which He lay in the tomb.

INCLUSIVE RECKONING

This method of keeping time is called “inclusive reckoning.” Any part of a day was included in the count as a day. The day (or any part of a day) on which an event begins is called “the first day.” We still do this today: “Today is the first day of the sale” - even if the sale doesn’t begin until the store opens at 10 o’clock. (There is no zero day therefore the first day is day #1.)

EXAMPLE: A newborn Hebrew male was circumcised when he was “eight days old” (Gen. 17:12), OR “the eighth day” (Lev. 12:3; Lk. 1:59) OR “when eight days were accomplished” (Lk. 2:21). All three expressions mean the same thing. The day of birth was called “the first day,” whether the child was born at the beginning or at the close of the day. There was no zero day. The day of birth was day #1. On day #3, the child would be two days old. On day #8, the child would be seven days old.

CONSIDER:

      The “day” begins and ends at sunset. 

      Near the close of day #1, Jesus died. (There was no day #zero.)

Near the close of day #2, Jesus was dead for one day, 24 hours (according to Western time keeping).

Near the close of day #3, Jesus would have been dead for two days, 48 hours.

      On day #4, it would be said that Jesus was dead for three days.

THIS rules out a Wednesday to Sabbath death period. Sabbath would be the 4^th day.

A Thursday crucifixion to late Sabbath afternoon resurrection, is possible. Sabbath would be the 3^rd day.

(But remember, the sacrifice would become “unclean” on the 3^rd day.)

Such a scenario would not encompass “three days and three nights.”

The period of His suffering must be included.

We must start the clock with the kiss of Judas in the Garden, to include that first “night.”

The story of Peter and Cornelius

Another example of “inclusive reckoning”

1^st Day: An angel appeared to Cornelius “about the ninth hour of the day” telling him to send messengers to get Peter who was at Joppa (Acts 10:3-8).

2^nd Day: As the messengers sent by Cornelius neared the house “on the morrow ... about the sixth hour” (noon) Peter saw a vision. In response to the vision Peter received, the messengers and they spent the night (verse 9).

            NOTE: It is an overnight journey from Cornelius to Joppa, where Peter is staying with Simon.

3^rd Day: And on the morrow Peter went away with them” (verse 23).

4^th Day: “And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea.” Peter met Cornelius, who then told him of the angel’s visit.” “Four days ago,” said Cornelius, “I was fasting unto this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing...” (Verses 24,30). When he recounted the story to Peter, Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour.” But count it for yourself! Seventy-two hours (three full days) had passed from the time that Cornelius saw the vision, until he told the story to Peter - NOT 96 hours! Yet he says, “Four days ago.” This is inclusive time reckoning.

This would mean that one could say “three days ago” and mean 48 hours!

Before dawn on Friday - when Christ was taken into custody at the darkest hour of the night,

until day-break of Sunday, is just over 48 hours.

Other examples of “inclusive reckoning” include 1Samuel 30:12-13, 1Kings 20:29 and Genesis 42:17–18.

THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR

2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” (NAS)

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.” (NAS)

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

The “morning star” rises at dawn. The imagery given, links Christ with the sun, with dawn, with light, with life. Not with sunset. With sunset comes darkness, cold, and the night. Without light there can be no life. I have a hard time connecting the resurrection of Messiah with sunset and the approach of darkness.

PUNCTUATION PROBLEMS

One argument for a Wednesday crucifixion.

Matthew 27:66 - 28:1-2 “So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 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” (KJV).

The Greek word “epiphosko” (Strong’s #2020), translated “dawn,” can mean “drawing towards.” The Hebrew Sabbath begins at sunset, therefore the argument is made that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary set out for the sepulcher late on Sabbath afternoon as it began “to approach towards the first day of the week.”

Carrying jars of spices - on the Sabbath?

In the Wednesday crucifixion scenario, the disciples spent the next day (a Thursday - the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread)

in Jerusalem - “according to the commandment.” The next day (a Friday) would have been a common work day. Late the next afternoon, (a 7^th Day Sabbath) - the women set out for the tomb before the sun set, carrying jars of spices for anointing the body.

            NOTE: Only the first and the last days of the Feast were to be kept as “sabbaths” (rest days) (Lev 23:4-8).

            NOTE: If Wednesday was the first day, then the Sabbath would have been the 4^th day.

      Is this scenario logical?

1. “The Law” of the Pharisees, forbade a walk of more than half a mile on the Sabbath.

2. Carrying the large jars of spices on the Sabbath, would also violate “the Law,” which forbade the carrying of a “burden” on the Sabbath day.

3. The tombs were considered a very dangerous place. Touching a tomb could render one “unclean” for 7 days. Robbers and unclean persons hid there. Would two women walk to the tombs at sunset, knowing they may be assaulted evil men, and knowing they will have to walk home in the dark? It would take time to anoint the body, especially if they have to find someone to roll away the stone from the entrance.

4. Why would the women have waited until Sabbath afternoon anyway, before seeking to anoint the body? In the Wednesday crucifixion scenario, Friday would have been a common work day. Why not anoint the body on that Friday?

      Let’s examine the text.

The ancient Greek writings contained no punctuation marks, and no lower case letters. These were added later, to make reading easier. The ancient manuscripts contained no numbered verses, and no chapter divisions. Consider how the ancient text might have looked. (We will do this in English, but you’ll get the idea.)

SOTHEYWENTANDMADETHESEPULCHRESURESEALINGTHESTONEANDSETTINGAWATCHINTHEENDOFTHESABBATHASITBEGANTODAWNTOWARDTHEFIRSTDAYOFTHEWEEKCAMEMARYMAGDALENEANDTHEOTHERMARYTOSEETHESEPULCHRE

            Let’s try that again, adding word division and punctuation.  

SO THEY WENT AND MADE THE SEPULCHER SURE, SEALING THE STONE AND SETTING A WATCH 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 SEPULCHER.

Did you see the change? I simply moved the period from after the word “watch,” to after the word “sabbath.” I also eliminated the verse division. “In the end of the Sabbath” becomes the END of 27:66.

The guard is posted as the sun is setting at “the end of the Sabbath.” (Could be either the First Day of Unleavened Bread - a “sabbath,” OR the 7^th Day weekly Sabbath. The women come to the tomb at dawn of Sunday (the first day fo the week). This change of punctuation, completely changes the meaning. The passage can then very legitimately be read:

“So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch 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 sepulcher” (Matthew 27:66 - 28:1).

The story is changed, just by a change of punctuation. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to the sepulcher very early - before dawn of Sunday, just as they do in the other three accounts of this story. They feel the ground shake with the earthquake, as the angel rolls away the stone. THIS is the resurrection!

      Mark 16:1-2 “very early in the morning on the first day of the week”

    Luke 24:1,10 “upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning”

    John 20:1 “the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark”

Mary ran to tell the disciples. John and Peter both ran to the tomb. Everything happens on Sunday morning.

MATTHEW 27:66 -28:1 : OTHER TRANSLATIONS

New American Standard: “And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.”

Today’s English Version: “So they left, and made the grave secure by putting a seal on the stone and leaving the guard on watch. After       the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the grave.”

The New International Version: “So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. After the       Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”

Phillips Modern English: “And they went and made the grave secure, putting a seal on the stone and leaving it under guard. When the       Sabbath was over, just as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary from Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”

TOO LATE FOR SPICES?

John 11:39 In the story of Lazarus, “Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.’”

Note: Remember Hebrew inclusive reckoning. “Been dead four days” would mean 72 hours.

I can see the women wanting to anoint the body of Jesus with aromatic spices approximately 38 hours after death (Fri.3pm to Sun. at dawn), but I have a hard time believing they would want to roll away that stone, to put their spices on a stinking corpse after 72 hours (Wed. 3pm to Sabbath near sundown).

WHY RETURN WITH SPICES?

Luke 24:1 “on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they . . . came to the tomb, bringing the spices ...”

Verse 10 confirms that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James were among this party. Mark 16:1-2 also states that Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb “very early on the first day of the week” to “anoint him.”

If the women worship the risen Christ late on Sabbath afternoon, and they RUN to tell the disciples, (as in the Sabbath near sundown scenario) WHY would they return the next morning - on Sunday at dawn, with spices to anoint His body? (Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1, 10)

If the women report the tomb empty late on Sabbath afternoon, WHY would Peter and John wait until the next morning to RUN to the tomb? (John 20:4)

WHO WILL ROLL AWAY THE STONE?

Why did they not know - about the seal and the guard of soldiers?

And when did they buy the spices?

Mark 16:1-4 “. . . Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, ‘Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?’”

You might want to reference the time-lines provided (pages 21 and 22).

The stone was a normal part of Hebrew death internment practice. “Very early on the first day of the week,” they didn’t know that the tomb had also been sealed with a Roman seal, and was now guarded by Roman soldiers. Why didn’t they know?

In a Wednesday crucifixion scenario, the Feast of Unleavened Bread would have begun at sundown of Wednesday. Only the first and last days of that Feast were no-work sabbaths. Friday would have been a common work day. Jerusalem would be buzzing with talk of the crucifixion, and the prophet’s prediction that He would “rise the third day.”

Assuming a Wednesday crucifixion, the tomb would have been sealed and the guard set by sundown of Thursday, the “end of the sabbath” of Unleavened Bread (Matthew 27:62-66). If the tomb was sealed and the guard posted on Thursday afternoon, why would the women expect to anoint the body of Jesus on Sunday morning (or near sundown of the Sabbath for that matter)? To break a Roman seal was a crime punishable with death.

Pilate had commanded that the tomb be “made secure until the third day” - meaning until the end of the third day. The wording suggests the tomb was guarded continuously - not just during the night. No one would be allowed to break the seal, or move the stone until the fourth day - which would have been the weekly 7^th Day Sabbath in the Wednesday scenario. Sunday would have been the 5^th day, and by that time the body would really stink. I suppose it’s possible that the women felt so dedicated to Jesus that they would brave the stench on day five. Possible - but very unlikely.

On the other hand, if Friday was the day of crucifixion, then the weekly Sabbath (Saturday) would also have been the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The guard would have been posted just at the end of the Sabbath - Saturday at sundown. (This we have shown, is a legitimate translation of Matt. 27:66 + 28:1.) In keeping with Pharisaic law, the women most likely did not go out during the Sabbath, and they would not have walked to the tombs at sunset on any day. The disciples were in hiding because they feared the authorities (John 20:19). From sunset of Friday to dawn of Sunday, the disciples would not likely have received news of the guard.

The women could have “bought spices” for the anointing, late on Friday (in the Friday crucifixion scenario), or on Friday (a no-work day in the Wednesday scenario), or late on Thursday (in the Thursday scenario). The women set out for the tomb as soon as there was enough light to see their path, on Sunday morning. They were not aware the tomb had been sealed (else they would not have gone). Between the time they set out, and their arrival at the tomb, there was an earthquake and Christ was raised.

Note: The tombs were notorious, as hiding places for social rejects, mentally disturbed persons, and criminals.

Note: Touching a grave (or tomb) meant the person would become “unclean” and would remain so for 7 days. He (or she) would need to be anointed with the ashes of the “red heifer” on the 3^rd day and on the 7^th day, to remove the “uncleanness” (Numbers 19:18).

THE PROPHETIC FESTIVAL DAYS: SCRIPTURE COMMANDS

THE PASSOVER:

Exodus 12:3: On the 10th day of the first month (Adar/Nissan) a lamb was to be chosen. It was to be inspected by every member of the household until the 14^th day, when it was to be killed at twilight (3PM). At the very first Passover, blood from that lamb was to be painted on the sides and across the top of the door frame.

THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (also called the Passover Seder):

Exodus 12:8 The Passover sacrificial lamb was to be roasted in fire. No bone was to be broken. It was to be eaten that night (of the 15^th which began at sunset of the 14^th). No part of the lamb was to remain until the next morning. Any part which remained was to be burned in fire. The 15^th was the first day of seven during which they were to eat no leaven. All leaven was to have been cleaned from their houses. “For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day that person shall be cut off from Israel” (v.16). (See also Leviticus 23:5-8.) No work was to be done on this day.

THE OFFERING OF THE FIRSTFRUITS:

Leviticus 23:10 “When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest (v.11). He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD; . . . on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it (v.14). You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

THE FEAST OF WEEKS (also called Pentecost, or Shavuot):

Leviticus 23:15-22 From the day when the firstfruits were offered, fifty days were counted “to the day after the seventh Sabbath.” No customary work was to be done on the 50^th day. Tradition says that Pentecost was the anniversary of the giving of the 10 Commandments from Mt. Sinai.

THE PROPHETIC FESTIVAL DAYS with the required ceremonies.

PASSOVER - FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD - FIRSTFRUITS CEREMONY

The Hebrew “day” begins at sundown.

NOTE: The Sadducees always celebrated Firstfruits on the first Sunday that followed the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The Pharisees always kept the 16^th - the day that followed the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

NOTE: If Christ died on a Wednesday or a Thursday - the Pharisees and the Sadducees would have been in the Temple

for the following Pentecost,

 on different days,

because the 50 day count to Pentecost begins with the Feast of Firstfruits.

continued next page

EVENTS RECORDED IN THE GOSPELS

 Line up the events above, with the different days below. Crucifixion day is in purple.

WHY NO OBJECTIONS REGARDING SABBATH KEEPING?

In the Wednesday death scenario, Jesus would have entered Jerusalem, receiving loud praise, with coats and palm branches laid down over His path ON THE SABBATH DAY. It was forbidden to ride an animal on the Sabbath (Jub. 50:6-13). It is even more difficult to imagine the Pharisees making no complaint specifically about violations of the Sabbath day. Yet there is no mention of any such complaint in the Gospel accounts.

In the Wednesday death scenario, Simon and his guests would have eaten A FEAST at his house the evening before the triumphal entry, which would put that FEAST on a 7^th Day Sabbath. Remember: the Sabbath began at sunset of Friday. Very unlikely. Feasting was NOT something done on the Sabbath.

In the Thursday crucifixion scenario, Jesus would have hiked the 13 miles uphill from Jericho to Bethany, carrying their supplies, on the Sabbath! (The allowed “Sabbath days journey” was about half a mile.) Didn’t happen! We would certainly have heard something about Sabbath breaking from the Pharisees, considering the crowds and the “spies” that followed Jesus. There were large crowds coming to Jerusalem for the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. He was the guest of honor at a feast given by Simon that evening. The next day He continued on the last 2 miles from Bethany to Jerusalem for His triumphal entry.

THE FINAL WEEK : FRIDAY CRUCIFIXION

Friday (Adar 7) : Jesus enters Jericho - goes to Zacchaeus’ house late in afternoon (Luke 19:1).

Sabbath (Adar 8) : Rested over the Sabbath at the home of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5).

Sunday (Adar 9) : [Six days before the Passover] Jesus walks the 13 miles uphill, from Jericho to Bethany. The climb normally took about five hours, but on this day it probably took all day. There were large crowds of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. They would have thronged the healing prophet. That evening, Simon the healed leper gave a feast at his house. Mary anointed the feet of Jesus’(Luke 19:28, John 12:1).

Monday (Adar 10) Pilgrims coming up for the Passover Feast hear that Jesus is at Bethany. They accompany Him towards Jerusalem. The triumphal entry begins at Bethany, topping the Mt of Olives and flowing into Jerusalem (aprox. 2 miles). Christ presents Himself at the Temple - as the Passover lamb for inspection. He is examined by “the multitudes,” and by the “chief priests and scribes” (John 12:12, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19). He returns to Bethany at the end of the day (Matt 21:17, Mark 11:11).

NOTE: The Passover lamb was chosen for death on the 10^th. The lamb was to be inspected from the 10^th to the 14^th by all members of the household, and then sacrificed on the afternoon of the 14^th (Exodus Chapter 12). Christ was marked for death on the day of His triumphal entry!

Tuesday (Adar 11) : Jesus returns to Jerusalem from Bethany. He curses the fig tree (Matt 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14) and cleans the “leaven” out of His Father’s House (the Temple) (Matt 21;12-13, Mark 11:15, Luke 19:45-48). Again - Christ (the intended Passover Lamb) is inspected by the rulers of the people, by “the chief priests and scribes,” and now by Greeks (Gentiles). He will be “sacrificed” as the one Lamb for all mankind. The Father speaks from heaven (Jn 12:28). At the end of the day, He again returns to Bethany (Mk 11:19).

NOTE: The master of the house was to remove all leaven from his house in preparation for the Passover (Exodus 12:15).

Wednesday (Adar 12) : Jesus returns to Jerusalem, & passes the now withered fig tree (Mk 11:19-20, 27). He returns to the Temple. He is again inspected by the “chief priests, scribes, and elders,” and by the Sadducees, all bent on killing Him (Mk 12:12, Luke 20:19, Matt 12:46, Matt 22:23, Mk 12:18, Lk 20:27). He pronounces “seven woes” on the scribes and Pharisees (Matt 23). At the end of a long discourse on the last days, towards the end of the day, Jesus says, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming” (Matt 26:2, Mark 14:1). He leaves the Temple, and spends the night on the Mt. Of Olives with the disciples (Lk 21:37). Wednesday sunset begins Adar 13. Judas went to the chief priests late that evening, and arranged to deliver Jesus into their hands (Matt 26:14-16, Mark 14: 10-11, Lk 22:3-6.)

Thursday (Adar 13) : “Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed” (Luke 22:7-13). The disciples meet that evening (which began the 14^th) in the upper room for the Passover.

NOTE: Conservative estimates put the number of pilgrims to Jerusalem at time, at close to a million. Dividing that number by 10 persons per household, gives us 100,000 lambs to be sacrificed on the afternoon of the 14^th day of Adar (Nissan). The sacrifice of the Passover lamb was not a simple killing. Psalms were sung over each lamb. Allowing 12 hours from 6 AM to 6PM, this would mean 8,333 lambs per hour. Allowing 20 teams of priests within the Temple courtyard, to kill, bleed, gut and skin the lambs before they were taken home to be roasted in fire, each team would need to perform 416.6 sacrifices per hour, or 6.9 sacrifices per minute. This was just not feasible. This is why many historians say that by Jesus time, two days were allowed for the sacrifice of Passover lambs. Luke’s use of the phrase “first day” . . . “on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed,” possibly supports this view.

(The 14^th of Adar began at sunset.) Later that night at the garden on the Mt of Olives, Jesus is taken into custody. He is taken first to Annas, then to Caiaphas, then to Herod, and finally to Pilate the next morning (still Adar 14).

Friday (Adar 14 continued) : Very early in the morning Jesus is led before Pilate. The priests and elders “did not themselves enter into the Praetorium in order that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover” (John 28:28). In the narrative, Pilate is still adjudicating (John 18:13) when John notes that “it was the day of preparation for the Passover” (John 18:14).