When was He crucified, buried & resurrected?
A closer examination of the biblical narrative reveals a more accurate account of Jesus’ birth and crucifixion. The traditional view of a Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection falls short when scrutinized against the scriptures.
According to Mark 15:42, Jesus was laid in the tomb as sunset approached, marking the beginning of the Day of Preparation. Joseph of Arimathea ensured a proper burial before the Sabbath, wrapping Jesus’ body in linen and placing it in the tomb (Luke 23:53; Mark 15:43). The women observed this burial as the Sabbath drew near (Luke 23:54-55).
However, a seeming discrepancy arises when the women prepare spices and ointments before resting on the Sabbath (Luke 23:56). A comparison of Mark and Luke’s accounts reveals two different Sabbaths: the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (John 19:31) and the weekly seventh-day Sabbath. Notably, an additional High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, which could fall on any day of the week, occurred on Thursday. This means the crucifixion must have happened on the Wednesday.
The women returned after the burial, rested on the high-day Sabbath (Wednesday night and Thursday), bought spices on Thursday night or Friday morning, prepared them on Friday before sunset, and rested on the weekly Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. On Sunday morning, they discovered Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:2-6; Luke 24:1-3).
The only plausible explanation is that Jesus was in the grave for three full days and three full nights, from sunset on Wednesday to sunset on Saturday. This timeline fulfills the third feast of First Fruits (Lev 23:9-12) and Jesus’ promise to be in the grave for the same amount of time as Jonah (Matthew 12:40; Jonah 1:17).
The Sign of the Messiah
Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah rests on the fulfillment of His words. A Friday-to-Sunday timeline would not fulfill His promise. However, when we allow the scriptures to interpret themselves, all four Gospels agree on the validity of Jesus’ promise. Thus, Jesus rose late Saturday afternoon, around sunset, exactly three days and three nights after His burial.
In conclusion, Jesus is the Messiah according to the scriptures, and His crucifixion timeline holds the key to understanding this truth
The accompanying diagram provides a clearer visual representation of the biblical events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, offering a more precise and nuanced understanding of the timeline.
