How do you fit three days and three nights between "Good Friday", when it is said Jesus was crucified, and "Easter Sunday", when He arose? It can't be done.
The Bible is clear that Jesus was dead for a full three days and three nights.
In Matthew 12:40, Jesus said, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the
belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the
heart of the earth."
The Bible is also clear that the tomb was found empty on the first day of the week, while it was still dark.
John 20:1 says, "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance."
In the Bible, and in Jewish tradition, the evening comes before the morning in a day. (See Genesis 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, and 31 for examples.) So, "early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark," would be before daybreak on what we would call Sunday morning.
The tomb was empty before dawn on the first day of the week. The women came during the dark hours between what we call Saturday night and what we call Sunday morning. Jesus was already risen by that time. So, starting from then and working backward, Saturday during the day would be the third day after Jesus was buried. Friday night the third night. Friday day the second day. Thursday night the second night night. Thursday day the first day. Wednesday night the first night. Think this through. Write it down, if you need to. Jesus had to have been crucified on what we call Wednesday.
So why do people think He was crucified on a Friday? Some of it may be leftovers from the pagan festival that celebrated Friday as a day of blood. (See Easter history). Or it may be simply Christians looking at the Bible through Gentile eyes. They see that Jesus was buried just before the Sabbath (Luke 23:54, John 19:31-33), and they conclude that because the Sabbath is what we call Friday evening to Saturday evening, Jesus must have been crucified on Friday during the day.
What most don't realize is that this was not an ordinary Sabbath. It was a Feast Day, which was commanded to be a day of rest.
John 19:31 says "...the next day was to be a special Sabbath..."
John 18:28, "...to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover."
In Lev. 23:7-8, the L-RD's Passover comes first. Next, there is a seven day period called the Feast of Unleavened Bread which has two Sabbaths of rest, the first day and the last. So the day that Jesus was crucified was a preparation day for the special Sabbath of rest that would begin at sunset.
Are you still following...?
What difference does it make?
I can imagine you saying, "So what?" What does it matter if Jesus was crucified on Wednesday or Friday? Why all of this splitting of hairs? Isn't it just important that He did die for us? There are three reasons why you should know this:
1. There are those living among us who say Christians follow Jesus blindly, without using their minds. As proof, they say, "See? They don't even know you can't fit three days and three nights between Friday and Sunday!" This includes a spectrum of skeptics of the resurrection, from the atheist to non-Messianic Jews. You need to have an answer ready. "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..." (1 Pet. 3:15, NIV).
2. To challenge your own beliefs. Why do you believe what you believe? Is it religious tradition, or are your beliefs based on the facts of the Bible? "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." (Prov. 14:15, NIV).
3. To encourage you to see the New Covenant (New Testament) from the foundation of the First Covenant (Old Testament). Christians often disregard the First Covenant, which is the majority of the Bible! What some would call "Jewish Heritage" can rightly be called "The Heritage of G-d's People", of whom believing Gentiles are privileged to be numbered. (see Romans 11:11-23). Before the Nation of Israel existed, G-d was showing Himself strong to all people.
"Is G-d the G-d of Jews only? Is He not the G-d of Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too, since there is only One G-d, who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through that same faith." (Rom. 3:29-30, NIV).
Is it wrong to celebrate Good Friday?
Is it wrong to celebrate on Friday? You must follow your conscience before G-d. As for me, I observe Good Friday. I see it as a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
Copyright 1997, 2008 Kathryn A. Frazier. Contact author for reprint information.
