Yes, Jesus died Friday Afternoon, Nisan 15 (Not Nisan 14)
Yes, the very next day was the weekly Saturday Sabbath, Nisan 16
Yes, Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, Nisan 17 at Sunrise
Yes, the very next day was the weekly Saturday Sabbath, Nisan 16
Yes, Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, Nisan 17 at Sunrise
72 Hours? Tomb, Grave, or Heart of the Earth?
How to get 3 Days & 3 Nights From Good Friday Afternoon to Easter Sunday Morning
On the day that Jesus died, one 24 hour period had 2 days and 2 nights (Genesis 1:5)
On the day that Jesus died, one 24 hour period had 2 days and 2 nights (Genesis 1:5)
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas 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.
For as Jonas 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.
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FORWARD
Now, the people that I submit this to will not thoroughly study this document, but they usually only do a quick scan of it. And if they do respond, I usually get a response that states that my findings is chalked full of errors. But this is only because they have been trained in believing their version, without actually studying this out. I notice that most postings supporting a Thursday, or even a Wednesday crucifixion all state the same exact wording. That tells me that all it is, is a cut and paste of what someone else already decided, rather than coming from their own mind. And if they do study this out, they only study what was given to them to support what someone else already decided, rather than searching the scriptures daily to see if those things were so. And God forbid that they rock the boat of their own church doctrines!! That could get them in trouble with the Church of their choice.I began this study after hearing that very good question posed by the Herbert W Armstrong breakaway church, Living Church of God, by Roderick C Meridith. It is widely known that the Herbert W Armstrong clan is not mainstream Christianity, and as such, they blame the Catholics for the teaching that Jesus died on Friday, and rose on Sunday. In regards to the protestants, they regard that as nothing more than ignorant tradition taught by the Catholics, and not challenged. In other words, we’ve always done it that way, so why change now? I myself, being a protestant, do indeed believe that Catholicism is of pagan origin. Most Catholics dismiss the sign of Jonah, concluding that the timeline is three days, with the first day and last day as partial days, and do not consider the word night in the sign of Jonah. I also agree that the word Easter is not appropriate. However, that being said, let’s move on.
The Herbert W Armstrong clan claims that it is flat out impossible to get three days and three nights from Good Friday Afternoon to Easter Sunday Morning. They believe that Jesus rose from the dead sometime on Saturday Afternoon, finally showing himself on Sunday, so they subtract 72 hours from Saturday afternoon, and teach that Jesus died on the Cross on Wednesday afternoon. This is how they compute three days and three nights. But is this correct? They use a statement that Jesus said, “Are there not twelve hours in the day” from John 11:9 as their basis for 72 hours. But is this correct? I think not. During that time of the year there is twelve hours of light during the day. How many hours of light is there in November?
In addition, they believe that Jesus died on Nisan 14. I will debunk that notion as well in this blog. They recognize that there was indeed a Sabbath Day the day following the death of Jesus, but they claim that this was some sort of a Special Sabbath. I will show that Jesus died on Nisan 15, which is the first day of Passover, which is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the High Day Sabbath Day for the first day of the Feast, and that the following day was the weekly Saturday Sabbath.
They also teach that the day after this High Day Sabbath that the women were able to prepare the spices, as they could not do this during a Sabbath, and that it was dark when the women arrived at the tomb on Sunday Morning, attempting to debunk that Jesus rose at sunrise. But was it really dark when the women got to the tomb?
One thing that we must know is that the Herbert W Armstrong clan adopts a belief from the 7th Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses of soul sleep, that when you die, that is the end of the story until the resurrection. In other words, when you die, the next conscious thought is the resurrection. So, if you buy off on that, after Jesus died, then the next conscious thought that Jesus had was when he was resurrected from the dead in the tomb. They adopt this belief in part based on Ecclesiastes 9:5.
In regards to Ecclesiastes 9:5, it is not discussing soul sleep. It is discussing a corps, a body empty of the soul/spirit (James 2:26/1 Thessalonians 5:23). If you see a dead man on the street, and you ask that dead man a question, he will not answer you. Why? Because the dead know nothing, the memory has left him. He is not in his body (James 2:26). He is elsewhere.
Finally, they believe that Jesus said that he would be in the “tomb” or “grave” for 72 hours, and it is at the moment that his body entered the tomb, or grave, that the countdown actually begins. But, it must be noted, that the tomb, or grave, is many miles away from the heart of the earth, and that Jesus never said “tomb” or “grave”, nor did he say seventy two hours.
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PART ONE
WAS IT REALLY DARK WHEN THE WOMEN GOT TO THE TOMB?
1. DARKJohn 20:1
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene EARLY, when it was yet DARK, unto the sepulchre...”
2. DAWN
Matthew 28:1
“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.”
3. VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING
Luke 24:1
“Now upon the first day of the week, VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.”
4. SUNRISE (VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING)
Mark 16:2-3 (WHO SHALL ROLL AWAY THE STONE)
“And VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre AT THE RISING OF THE SUN. And they said among themselves, WHO SHALL ROLL US AWAY THE STONE from the door of the sepulchre?”
PROGRESSION OF TIME
Notice, if you will, the progression of time in each gospel. All four gospels is indicating a progression of time on a journey to the tomb, not an arrival. Notice, if you will, that Mark 16:2 states “at the rising of the sun”. That is sunrise!
At the point that they asked amongst themselves, in Mark 16:3, “Who shall roll away the stone…?”, it was SUNRISE, clearly showing that they were STILL on their journey to the tomb, and had not arrived at the tomb when it was dark.
At SUNRISE they asked, "who shall roll away the stone". Did you get that?
It was dark when they began their journey, and while on the journey, sunrise happened, so that by the time that they got to the tomb, sunrise had already taken place.
When they got to the tomb, they noticed that the stone was already rolled away. That being fact, then there would be no need, at the rising of the sun, to even ask amongst themselves, who shall roll away the stone.
This clearly shows that sunrise had already taken place before their arrival at the tomb, and that it was NOT dark when they “arrived” at the tomb. We will cover when the women prepared the spices later, but this shows that John is discussing “going” to the tomb, and not “arriving” at the tomb.
The real question is, what time did they begin this journey when it was dark, and from where. The place that Jesus was buried was really close to where he was crucified.
John 19:41
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.
It is not like it took a long time to get there from where Jesus was crucified. Where did the women stay during the Sabbath? Look at the timeline above. In between "dark" and " at the rising of the sun" is dawn. But how long had it been dark when they were on their journey before it became dawn? How long is dawn?
See the following link:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=110&month=3&year=2012&obj=sun&afl=-1&day=1
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PART TWODOES PASSOVER BEGIN ON THE 14TH OR THE 15TH?
DOES THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ON THE 14TH OR THE 15TH?
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC DATES OF THE PASSOVER FEAST?
WHAT ARE THE SPECIFIC DATES OF THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD?
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’s passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread…
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread…
If you read those two statements from Leviticus 23:5-6 alone, it gives the illusion that Passover is on the 14th, and that the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the following day on the 15th. But that is just an illusion, as the rest of the story is left out.
Leviticus 23:5-8
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’s passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.Exodus 12:18
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Luke 22:1 indicates that the Feast of Passover is EQUATED to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. They are synonymous according to Luke. Passover is a seven day feast, not a one day thing. It begins on the 14th day of the first month at evening, and ends on the 21st day of the first month at evening (Nisan 15-21=7 Days).
According to Exodus, the feast of unleavened bread begins the same day that Passover begins in Leviticus 23. How can that be if it is two separate feasts beginning on two different days? The illusion is that Passover is a one day feast, and the feast of unleavened bread is a seven day feast, if you only rely on Leviticus 23.
In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’s passover.
On the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
On the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Is that Eight days, or seven days? 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 equals seven. But, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 equals eight.
In the following example, I will show that the above statement is not the 14th, but the 15th. Let’s look at the exact wording of the Day of Atonement, also found in Leviticus 23.
Leviticus 23:27-32
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God. 29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
The 10th Day of the Seventh Month.
When does this begin?
ON the 9th Day AT sunset.
Verse 32 is discussing the 10th day, not the 9th day. Carefully review the wording in verse 32. Pay attention to the words, “AT” and “ON”. On the ninth day indicates that sunset OF the ninth day has not taken place yet, which is why the word “AT” is used, to indicate the next word, "even", which is sunset. As soon as the word “AT” is used, in conjunction with the word “EVEN (evening, sunset)”, it is no longer the ninth day, but the tenth day.
So if the 10th Day of the Month begins “ON” the ninth day “AT” evening, we can conclude that the 15th Day of the first month begins “ON” the 14th day of the first month “AT” evening."
Lets see this one on top of the other.
10th Day Begins “ON” the 9th Day “AT” sunset.
15th Day Begins “ON” the 14th Day “AT” sunset.
15th Day Begins “ON” the 14th Day “AT” sunset.
Let’s reverse that:
“ON” the 9th day “AT” sunset begins the 10th day.
“ON” the 14th day “AT” sunset begins the 15th day.
“ON” the 14th day “AT” sunset begins the 15th day.
Conclusion:
Passover is a seven day feast, known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is held from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan. Passover does not begin on the 14th Day, as some teach. It begins ON the 14th AT sunset, which is the 15th, not the 14th. The first and last day of the feast is a Sabbath, that is, the 15th and 21st.
Passover is a seven day feast, known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is held from the 15th to the 21st of Nisan. Passover does not begin on the 14th Day, as some teach. It begins ON the 14th AT sunset, which is the 15th, not the 14th. The first and last day of the feast is a Sabbath, that is, the 15th and 21st.
Now, we must remember that when a day begins for a Hebrew Calendar, that the previous day for us under a Roman Calendar has not ended yet, and won't for a few hours. So, when we look at a Roman Calendar to determine Passover (The Feast of Unleavened Bread), we will indeed see 14-21, rather than 15-21. This is just one reason why many people resort think that Passover is on the 14th, and the 15th is a different feast, because on a Roman Calendar, it does expand to eight days, and not seven. When discussing this topic, forget any thought of a Roman Calendar.
This shows that Jesus died on the 15th, not the 14th. This also shows that the lamb is killed on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. The Last Supper was on the 15th, not the 14th. This also shows that the day that Jesus died was the HIGH DAY SABBATH of the 15th. This also shows that the following day was indeed a weekly sabbath, as these two sabbath days were side by side. I will go into more detail in a moment. I will also cover the preparation of the spices by the women, as well.
This shows that Jesus died on the 15th, not the 14th. This also shows that the lamb is killed on the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. The Last Supper was on the 15th, not the 14th. This also shows that the day that Jesus died was the HIGH DAY SABBATH of the 15th. This also shows that the following day was indeed a weekly sabbath, as these two sabbath days were side by side. I will go into more detail in a moment. I will also cover the preparation of the spices by the women, as well.
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PART THREE
The Lamb is “killed” “BETWEEN THE EVE’S”
Exodus 12:6
And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
The lamb is killed between the eves (evening). Between the eves is the same as saying “twilight”. Twilight begins AT SUNSET. It is that period of time FROM sunset TO total darkness. For short, we call this DUSK. There is also another time FROM total darkness TO sunrise, which is also called “twilight”. For short, we call this DAWN (Remember Matthew 28:1 about the women's journey to the tomb?). The Strong's Concordance backs up the definition of the word "evening" in Exodus 12:6 as dusk.
The following web site shows a calendar month with the specific times of sunset, sunrise, and the various twilight start and end times. The start time is before sunrise, dawn. The end time is after sunset, dusk.
Conclusion, the Lamb is prepared AND killed ON THE 15th, not the 14th. This includes Jesus as the Passover Lamb. The PREPARATION and killing begins at dusk, which is after sunset of the 14th (meaning the 15th), not before during daylight hours (which would be the 14th). Keep that in mind. It must be after sunset when Jesus is killed, not daylight. It was dark when Jesus was killed, not light. Please keep this in mind. It is important to this whole subject, which is explained in part four. The lamb is killed when it is dark on the 15th, whether it be the actual Passover Lamb, or Jesus as the Passover Lamb, not the 14th.
Lastly, notice in the website provided at what time that sunrise and sunset is during this time of the year? When it is discussed the third hour, the ninth hour, etc., it is based on sunrise and sunset. No one had a wrist watch back in them days. Everything about time was based on the sun. Yes, during that time of the year, there was indeed twelve hours of light in a day. Sunrise is at about 6:00 am and Sunset was at about 6:00 pm. This is why we can say what time of the day that it is in our wristwatch time when we deduce the events that took place. If sunrise is at 6 am (wristwatch time), then the third hour of light is at 9 am (wristwatch time).
Lastly, notice in the website provided at what time that sunrise and sunset is during this time of the year? When it is discussed the third hour, the ninth hour, etc., it is based on sunrise and sunset. No one had a wrist watch back in them days. Everything about time was based on the sun. Yes, during that time of the year, there was indeed twelve hours of light in a day. Sunrise is at about 6:00 am and Sunset was at about 6:00 pm. This is why we can say what time of the day that it is in our wristwatch time when we deduce the events that took place. If sunrise is at 6 am (wristwatch time), then the third hour of light is at 9 am (wristwatch time).
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PART FOUR
What is Night and Day?
Genesis 1:5
“And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night…”
If it is light outside, it is day. If it is dark outside, it is night. It was dark when Jesus died. It is this darkness that is reckoned as a night in the count of three days and three nights.
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PART FIVEWHEN WAS JESUS CRUCIFIED? 9:00 AM OR 3:00 PM?
Mark 15:25
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
But Jesus was not even on the cross at 9 am, nor was he crucified at 9 am.
People assume that Mark was discussing the third hour of the day, which would be 9:00 am if he was. They base this either on one of two scenarios. The first scenario is that the third hour is 9:00 am based on 6 am being the first hour. And/or the second scenario is that the trial was at 6 am, and it was the third hour after the trial. For them, that makes sense because at the ninth hour Jesus died. However, there is absolutely no example in the gospels that indicate any hour based on an event. It is always based on sunset and sunrise. Compare the following:
John 4:6
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Acts 2:15
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 10:3
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
Acts 10:9
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Acts 10:30
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house
Acts 23:23
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Mark was discussing the third hour of the night. Darkness (NIGHT-Genesis 1:5) began at NOON. It was 3 pm, when they crucified him, which is the ninth hour, according to the other gospels.
Now, check out the following for verification:
John 19:14-16 (About Noon, and he had NOT been crucified yet. He was "to be crucified")
“And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.”
Mark 15:25 cannot be the 3rd hour of the day (9 AM) because in John 19:14-16 it was noon and he hadn’t been crucified yet. At noon he was “TO BE” crucified. He had not even gotten on the cross yet, until about noon. And Jesus was crucified three hours later, the 3rd hour of DARKNESS, or, the third hour of the night.
When I present to people John 19:14-16, they stumble at what to say. I have been told, "Well, John must have meant...", or "Evidently, ...". Ya, O.K, right, OkeeDokee then!!
Notice what the people were saying in John? "CRUCIFY HIM" Does that really indicate that Jesus was crucified at 9:00 am if they were yelling crucify him at about noon?
We can pick up in Luke where John leaves off in Luke 23:21 "CRUCIFY HIM". You will see that AFTER that statement that Jesus was finally sentenced (verse 24) and THEN Matthew 27:22 picks it up at the CRUCIFY HIM as well. After he was sentenced in Luke, then he was scourged in Matthew, and THEN HE BEGAN CARRYING HIS CROSS at that point. And, it was indeed dark during this whole period of time, beginning at noon. You have to go back and forth between the gospels to pick up where another leaves off.
Lastly, notice the first few words in John 19:14, "And it was the preparation of the Passover". John is the spiritual speaker. He was discussing Jesus as the Passover Lamb, not the actual Passover lamb, which was killed hours before for the Last Supper, which was, by the way, the 15th, not the 14th. The Passover Lamb, in John 19:14, is Jesus, PREPARED AT DARK, not during any daylight hours.
Jesus was NOT on the cross at 9:00 am, nor was he crucified at 9:00 am.
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PART SIXTIME RECKONING vs. LIGHT AND DARK RECKONING
Time reckoning shows that the actual Passover lamb was killed AT about 6 pm, and Jesus was killed about 21 hours later at 3 pm. This is where the confusion comes in that Jesus ate the passover a day early. But BOTH OF THEM was killed ON Nisan 15, after sunset.
Based on the Law, days are “reckoned” as sunrise to sunset, and nights are “reckoned” as sunset to sunrise. This is in Genesis 1:5. If it is dark outside, it is night. If it is light outside, it is day. The number of hours in a day or night is completely and totally irrelevant.
Yes, Jesus did say, “are there not twelve hours in the day?”. He did say that. But lets look at how many hours of day “LIGHT” that there is during THAT TIME OF THE YEAR. Jesus could not say that during, say, November or December, as there is more hours of darkness during that time, especially if we are “reckoning” that there is 24 hours in a day.
But in the case of a literal three days and three nights, we are not discussing how many hours there is in a 24 hour day, or partial days. We are discussing how many light and dark's that there are (Genesis 1:5).
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS
*Night #1. About 3:00pm Friday (PARTIAL NIGHT)
Day #1. 3:00pm (Sunrise) to Sunset Friday
Night #2. Sunset to Sunrise Saturday
Day #2. Sunrise to Sunset Saturday
Night #3. Sunset to Sunrise Sunday
**Day #3. Sunrise Sunday (PARTIAL DAY)
*Night Began at noon.
**The women got to the tomb after sunrise, not when it was dark.
Final Note:
Notice that the timeline begins at the death of Jesus, not at the entrance of the body in the tomb or “grave”! Likewise, the timeline ends at the moment of resurrection, not at the time of exiting the “tomb” or “grave”!
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PART SEVEN "AFTER THREE DAYS"
Matthew 27:63
Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
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.
Out of all of the topics here, this is the most debated. Some seem to thing that it must be 72 hours all due to the words "after three days".
If we were to deduce that this is after the completion of 72 hours, then that would be the fourth day, not the third day. Three Days has nothing to do with Three Days and Three Nights and neither of those has anything to do with Third Day. Three different topics. But the Herbert W Armstrong clan, and others, lump all of those words into the same definition, seventy two hours.
The following verses state that Jesus will rise the third day, not after the third day, meaning the fourth day:
Matthew 16:21
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 17:23
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again
Matthew 20:19
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mark 9:31
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Mark 10:34
And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 9:22
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Luke 18:33
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 24:7
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
Luke 24:46
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
SUNDAY WAS THE THIRD DAY
Luke 24:1
Now upon the first day of the week
Now upon the first day of the week
Luke 24:21
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
Sunday IS the THIRD DAY since WHAT THINGS WERE DONE?
Luke 24:19-20
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Notice in Luke 24:21 that TODAY, being Sunday is the THIRD DAY since Jesus was crucified. When did Jesus say that he would rise? THE THIRD DAY. Jesus was talking to the two on a journey to Emmaus ON THE THIRD DAY. When did the third day begin? At sunrise. When does the third day end? At sunset.
That means that Saturday was the second day, and Friday was the FIRST DAY.
BUT
I have been told that based on a Thursday crucifixion, that Friday is the first day, because Thursday cannot be counted as the first day. I was told that you cannot include the current day inclusively. I retorted.
I used to be in the US Navy for many years. My job in the US Navy was that of a payroll clerk. The following is an example:
I used to be in the US Navy for many years. My job in the US Navy was that of a payroll clerk. The following is an example:
On Thursday I became entitled to hazardous duty pay, but I haven't gotten paid yet. Today is Sunday. How many days worth of back pay am I entitled to?
His answer: 3
My answer: 4
All because he didn't want to use an inclusive day, Thursday, I get shorted out one day pay.
I further told him that I was glad he were not MY pay clerk.
His response, "You should not try to understand scripture with worldly sailors logic." He continued to say that God has a different set of math laws than man does, which is why he referred to my logic as "worldly". Nice! I always thought that math was universal, regardless of whether you believe in God or not. His explanation was that since Thursday is not a whole complete 24 hour day, that Thursday cannot be counted inclusively. Now, that is indeed a rule that I never heard before in all my days as a "worldly" payroll clerk.
To further explain his concept as to why we cannot include Thursday as an inclusive day, he presented me with 1 Kings 18:1, Luke 4:25, and James 5:17.
1 Kings 18:1
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.
Luke 4:25
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
James 5:17
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
His objective in providing me these three references was to prove that three and one half years is more than three years, and as such, three days can be more than 72 hours, hence, after three days. To me, that just makes absolutely no mathematical sense whatsoever. As a payroll clerk for 17 years, I am very well aware as to how numbers are read, and the related words associated with numbers, i.e., three, third, first, last, inclusive, etc.
First of all, 1 Kings 18:1 does not say three years. It states "IN" the THIRD year. He forgot the word "IN".
This also relates to topic #2 above with the words "In", "On", and "At".
IN the third year is INCLUSIVE, FROM the third year beginning, TO the third year ending. That means that three and one half years is OUTSIDE those parameters, not inside, which proves that the references that he provided has nothing to do with each other.
In the third day is anytime within the parameters AFTER the third day begins, but BEFORE the third day ends.
In the third day is anytime within the parameters AFTER the third day begins, but BEFORE the third day ends.
The witnesses on the road to Emmaus was IN the third day, the first day of the week. Jesus said he would rise on the third day, which would be the first day of the week, not the seventh day. After three days means AFTER THE THIRD DAY BEGINS, BUT BEFORE IT ENDS.
Secondly, the word "after" in regards to "after three days" is Strong's Concordance Greek reference 3326, which is defined as:
a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
We agree that the definition of "after", in this case, is succession. But we disagree on the definition of succession as it relates to three days in the phrase "after three days". He still insists that this means after seventy two hours is completed. However, I still have scripture to prove him wrong.
But, even though I said that, I still need to explain the FIRST DAY, Friday, as being INCLUSIVE. If Jesus was crucified on Thursday, then Thursday would be the FIRST DAY. How do I prove this?
Luke 13:32
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Notice the wording in the above. TODAY is the FIRST DAY, then to morrow is the Second day, and the next day is the THIRD DAY.
TODAY, the current day, is always counted as the FIRST DAY.
No matter what time of the day an event takes place TODAY, TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY.
Luke 24:21
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
One more time:
Luke 13:32
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS
*Night #1. About 3:00pm Friday (PARTIAL NIGHT)
Day #1. 3:00pm (Sunrise) to Sunset Friday
Night #2. Sunset to Sunrise Saturday
Day #2. Sunrise to Sunset Saturday
Night #3. Sunset to Sunrise Sunday
**Day #3. Sunrise Sunday (PARTIAL DAY)
In the above, there is three days and three nights, three days, "after" three days, and there is a first day, a second day, and a third day. How much more do they want? It is all there! Remember, "after" three days is completed after the third "day" (Day #3 above) begins, not ends. Yes, you can get three days and three nights from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. How is it that they say that it is impossible?
Light and dark; sunset to sunrise, sunrise to sunset. Hours is not a factor, and is totally irrelevant. There is nothing in the Law pertaining to hours. Everything is based on the sun setting or rising, and the new moon. There is no looking at a wristwatch, or a clock to determine anything in any feast. Moses was not given a Rolex.
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PART EIGHTSPICES
Mark 16:1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
NOTE:
When was the Sabbath past? AT NOON, when the sun went down. Mark was also the one who spoke of the THIRD HOUR OF THE NIGHT (Mark 15:25). He is the only Gospel that spoke of the third hour crucifixion, while the others spoke of a ninth hour crucifixion. Whether the third hour of the night, or the 9th hour of the day, they both are 3:00 P.M. He was very concentrated on the darkness from noon until three. He is the only one that discusses when the sabbath was past that the women PURCHASED spices. The end of the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread Sabbath was when it got dark (sunset) at the 6th hour of the day (noon). That is when the Sabbath past.
Luke 23:56
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Note:
Returned from where? The tomb. They had to purchase before preparing. After the tomb, they went to the store, then they prepared, then the Weekly Sabbath began. A three hour timeline from the moment of the death of Jesus.
Luke 24:1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared...
In order to make a long story short, the women saw where Jesus was laid, purchased spices, and prepared spices, ALL sometime between 3 pm and 6 pm the day that Jesus died. Every instance of the word "preparation" in all four gospels is discussing none other than the weekly Sabbath, which is the day after Jesus died, beginning at sunset of the day of Jesus death. Therefore, the preparation day for the weekly Sabbath was the day that Jesus died, and was buried, Friday the 15th. How long does it take to prepare spices?
The only exception to the word "preparation" is John 19:14, and he was discussing the preparation of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, and not the actual passover lamb. The word "preparation" is only used six times in the four gospels.
"...FOR THAT SABBATH DAY WAS AN HIGH DAY..."
John 19:31 is discussing the day that Jesus died, not the next day. The day that Jesus died was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread Sabbath, for that sabbath was an high day. High day is not discussing some sort of a mysterious SPECIAL Sabbath, or any sabbath at all. It is describing the sabbath as a BIG day, according to Strong's Concordance. Of course it was big. They just crucified our savior. Can you imagine the mayhem that took place on that feast day? For that Sabbath was a big day. There is only two instances in the whole New Testament this particular Greek word for High is used. The other is in Hebrews 10:21 in regards to Jesus as the High Priest, although the phrase High Priest is used several times in the New Testament. Other uses of that Greek word, according to Strong's Concordance is:-exceedingly, great, greatest, large, loud, mighty, strong. In other words, it is an adjective, and the purpose of an adjective is to describe the noun, and the noun is "day". It was a big day.
Note:
Returned from where? The tomb. They had to purchase before preparing. After the tomb, they went to the store, then they prepared, then the Weekly Sabbath began. A three hour timeline from the moment of the death of Jesus.
Luke 24:1
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared...
In order to make a long story short, the women saw where Jesus was laid, purchased spices, and prepared spices, ALL sometime between 3 pm and 6 pm the day that Jesus died. Every instance of the word "preparation" in all four gospels is discussing none other than the weekly Sabbath, which is the day after Jesus died, beginning at sunset of the day of Jesus death. Therefore, the preparation day for the weekly Sabbath was the day that Jesus died, and was buried, Friday the 15th. How long does it take to prepare spices?
The only exception to the word "preparation" is John 19:14, and he was discussing the preparation of Jesus as the Passover Lamb, and not the actual passover lamb. The word "preparation" is only used six times in the four gospels.
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PART NINE
AN HIGH DAY
John 19:31"...FOR THAT SABBATH DAY WAS AN HIGH DAY..."
John 19:31 is discussing the day that Jesus died, not the next day. The day that Jesus died was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread Sabbath, for that sabbath was an high day. High day is not discussing some sort of a mysterious SPECIAL Sabbath, or any sabbath at all. It is describing the sabbath as a BIG day, according to Strong's Concordance. Of course it was big. They just crucified our savior. Can you imagine the mayhem that took place on that feast day? For that Sabbath was a big day. There is only two instances in the whole New Testament this particular Greek word for High is used. The other is in Hebrews 10:21 in regards to Jesus as the High Priest, although the phrase High Priest is used several times in the New Testament. Other uses of that Greek word, according to Strong's Concordance is:-exceedingly, great, greatest, large, loud, mighty, strong. In other words, it is an adjective, and the purpose of an adjective is to describe the noun, and the noun is "day". It was a big day.
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PART TENGRAVE, TOMB, OR HEART OF THE EARTH
Jesus NEVER said that he would be in the “Grave” for three days and three nights. Many seem to “covertly” use the word “Grave”, rather than the words that Jesus actually used.
Jesus actually said that he would be in the Heart of the Earth for three days and three nights. The word heart means “core”. Where is the core of an apple? In the middle. You will see that definition in the Strong’s Concordance.
Jesus was in the middle of the earth for three days and three nights. That is not the earthly tomb. Some believe in soul sleep, that when you die, that is the end of the story until the resurrection. I don’t buy into that doctrine. Yes, I know about Ecclesiastes 9:5, but that isn’t what that is interpreted as. If you come across a dead man in the street, and you ask that dead man a question, he will not answer. That is what that is describing. The person is not in his body. He is elsewhere, heaven or hell.
Some do not believe in an actual hell with demons, fire, and torment. I do.
Note: Read AND compare 2 Samuel 22:4-51 with Psalms 18:3-50. They both say the same thing, except for one verse.
Next, compare the one verse: compare 2 Samuel 22:8 with Psalm 18:7.
When that is complete, compare all this with Jonah Chapter 2.
The time frame begins, that is, counted upon the death of Jesus. Not upon the entrance to an earthy tomb, called a grave, which Jesus never even used the word grave to begin with. However, the word grave is a “spiritual” term of hell fire with demons and torment. The Carnal would be an Earthly tomb. Eternal life requires no grave. But Jesus was going to death, in the heart of the earth, which began when he died on the cross. Jesus had to go to the place of torment with demons and fire. He had taken the sin of the world upon his shoulders, and that sin still needed judgement. It is appointed unto men once to die…then after death is the judgment, not before death. Keep that in mind.
Ed Chapman
chapmaned24@yahoo.com
