On What Day Was Christ Crucified and Rise Again? (Tom Bacon)
January 5 2005 at 6:05 PM
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On What Day Was Christ Crucified and Rise Again?
According to the scriptures
Tom Bacon
If you ask the question of when Christ was crucified, you'll probably get numerous answers. Nearly all will agree with the date, but the day of the week will give some a problem. It did me. I was sure I knew the answer. It was not until I was listening to a message by Pastor Jordan that I was shocked to learn that I could be wrong. I mean, I had the verses down. I could answer any question about that week. So, I sent Pastor Jordan a copy of my findings. He told me my conclusion was wrong, because I could not support three days and three nights, but to keep looking, so I did just that. The answer I found was so simple. What I am giving you is my original study and then the reason I changed my mind. I hope this study is a blessing to some of you, as it was for me in doing it. Keep in mind that the first part of this study are the conclusions I originally made. Then look at the answer.
There are three basic views of when Christ died and rose from the dead. Some believe in a Wednesday crucifixion and resurrection on Saturday. Some a Thursday crucifixion and resurrection on Sunday. Still some say he was crucified on Friday, and rose on Sunday. It is hard to dispute the day of the month because scripture is very plain. The lamb was to be taken into the house on the 10th day of the first month, then be killed four days later on the 14th day of the first month, which is Passover. Keep these verses in mind as you study.
Exodus:
13:3
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
13:4
This day came ye out in the month Abib.
They came out of Egypt in the month of Abib.
12:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,
12:2
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
12:3
Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
12:4
And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
12:5
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
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.
Original Study for a Wednesday Crucifixion and Saturday Resurrection
Look at the time elements in red.
Matt 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.
28:2
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.
Mary goes to the tomb on the Sabbath day, at the dawn, at the beginning of the first day of the week, not the first day of the week. She left the tomb, and then there was an earthquake "In the end of the Sabbath." The stone was rolled away. Mary did not see it rolled away, so she could not have been there when the earthquake took place. Look at Mark 16:1-3.
Mark 16:1
And 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.
16:2
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
16:3
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
If they had been there in the end of the sabbath, they would not have had to ask the question of 16:3. So Jesus rose on the Sabbath day, before the beginning of the first day of the week. This is the third day.
If we go back 72 hours from 3pm, Saturday, 17 Abib, the Sabbath day, we come to Wednesday the 14th at 3pm, the 9th hour when Jesus gave up the ghost.
Now look at Jn 12:1-2.
Jn 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Jesus arrives in Bethany on the 8th of Abib, six days before Passover on the 14th, not the 9th. He eats a supper served by Martha. On the next day, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the 9th of Abib in fulfillment of Daniel's 69th week, Dan 9:25.
Dan 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Dan 9:26
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Is it possible that the 69th week was fulfilled on the 9th and then Jesus road into Jerusalem, on the 10th, to be looked over until the 14th?
Jn 12:12
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
12:13
Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus is proclaimed Prince of Israel. He looks around, then leaves for Bethany, as was his practice each evening, as was his practice each day to teach in the temple.
Jesus then, the next day, the 10th of Abib, the Sabbath, rides into Jerusalem from Bethany, a Sabbath day's journey away, Acts 1:12.
Jesus curses the fig tree on the way.
Mark 11:12
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
11:13
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
11:14
And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
He then enters Jerusalem, where he
11:15
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Notice Mk 11:16
11:16
And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
Jesus would not allow them to work on the Sabbath. He then, at even, leaves for Bethany.
11:19
And when even was come, he went out of the city
The next day, Sunday, the 11th of Abib, he goes back to Jerusalem, sees the fig tree dried up.
11:20
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Jesus teaches again in the temple. He is questioned and tested daily.
Mat 26:55
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
That even , Sunday, the start of the 12th, he leaves the temple and goes to the Mt. of Olives, teaching the Apostles.
Mark 13:1
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
13:2
And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
13:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
13:4
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
If, as was his practice, he taught the apostles into the night, then the day is Sunday/Monday, the 12th of Abib. This is backed up by the next verse:
14:1
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
Count the 13th and 14th as the two days, then is the feast of the Passover and of Unleavened Bread, the 15th of Abib.
The apostles prepare the Passover meal on Tuesday the 13th, then at even, early on Passover day, Tuesday/Wednesday, the 14th of Abib, they eat the meal with Jesus.
14:12
And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
14:13
And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
14:14
And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
14:15
And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
14:16
And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
14:17
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
14:18
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
Jesus then went to the Mt. Of Olives, where he was arrested. Peter denies him before morning, sometime in the Midnight watch, between 12pm and 3am, Wednesday the 14th. He was taken to Pilot in the morning watch, between 3am and 6am or sunrise.
Mat 26:75
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Mark 15:1
And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
By the 3rd hour, 9am, Jesus was crucified.
Mar 15:25
And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
Jesus gives up the ghost a about 3pm, still Wednesday the 14th.
Luk 23:44
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luk 23:45
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luk 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
They took him down and laid him in the tomb before even, sunset on Wednesday/Thursday, the start of the High day Sabbath, the feast of Unleavened Bread.
Mar 15:46
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
Jn 19:31
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Now back to the beginning.
Look at the other proof verses
Matt 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.
He was in the heart of the earth 3 full days and 3 full nights. Part of the day was on the 14th and the rest on the 17th of Abib.
1Co 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
He did rise the third day.
Now the one to look at closely is Luk 24:13-24, where Jesus talks to the two on the road to Emmaus.
Luk 24:13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Luk 24:14
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
Luk 24:15
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
Luk 24:16
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Luk 24:17
And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
Luk 24:18
And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
Luk 24:19
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:
Luk 24:20
And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
Luk 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.
Luk 24:22
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
Luk 24:23
And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
Luk 24:24
And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
While Jesus is talking to the two, they mention things which have happened.
1. delivered him to be condemned to death.
2. have crucified him.
3. mention of the sepulcher, his burial
These are the “Which things” Jesus asked about. These things happened three days ago. This is the third day since these things were done. “To Day”(verse 21) began at sunset, at about 6pm on the Sabbath day. Again, the verse fits.
The reason I was wrong. It has to be Thursday for the crucifixion and the First day of the week resurrection.
When I did the original study, I counted 6 days from passover, which according to Ex 12:6 is the 14th. What I failed to see was Luke 22:1
22:1
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
To start counting from the 15th instead of the 14th brings Jesus into Jerusalem on the 10, the first day of the week.
Jesus Christ, Firstfruits, according to the Scriptures
What is Firstfruits?
Leviticus
23:10
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
23:11
And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
23:12
And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
23:13
And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.
23:14
And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
23:15
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
23:16
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
The Jews have 2 ways of looking at things. One is Secular, and one is Spiritual. An example of this is in the discussion of days. Look at Matthew 26:
26:17
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
26:18
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
26:19
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
26:20
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Notice that Jesus sat down and ate the passover meal on the 14th, but the 13th was considered the same day. That is because the spiritual day, 14th, began at 6pm on the secular day,13th.
The Jews also have two New Years. The secular one in September/October, at Rosh Hashanah, or "Head of the year", this is where they count the number of the year.
Another in March/April Ex 12:18, Lev 23:5, Deu 16:1
Jesus was crucified on the 14th of Abib, the first month of the spiritual calendar, and rose on the third day, the 17th. This day is very important in Jewish events since the world began.
Lets Look at some of these events:
Gen 8:4
And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.
The seventh month from Tishri , first of the secular calendar, is Abib, the first month of the spiritual calendar. The spiritual calendar had not been established when Noah went into the ark. This is a secular counting, before the spiritual counting was given.
Another example:
Ex 12:40
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
12:41
And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
12:42
It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.
Look at Lev 23:14 for that night, it is firstfruits, the third day. The day of liberation is also 430 years to the day that they entered Egypt. This is also the day of the parting of the Red sea, the third day since Moses requested they be allowed to go into the desert.
Ex 3:18
And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
5:3
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
This was to be a temporary trip into the desert.
11:2
Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold.
But Pharaoh was told that they ran away for good.
14:5
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
How did they think that Moses had left for good?
13:19
And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
Another example:
The Israelites enter the promised land, stop eating mannah, and eat the firstfruits of the land on this day. Abib 17.
Joshua 5:10
And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
5:11
And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
5:12
And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
They ate no more manna from the 17th of Abib onward
Another example:
Now Israel has the kingdom as set up by David and Solomon. The Temple had been used to worship false gods. King Hezekiah orders the temple cleansed.
II Ch 29:17
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
29:18
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
29:19
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.
29:20
Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.
Hezekiah rose early on the 17th of Abib
Another example:
Ester saves the Hebrew people from destruction on Abib 17.
Ester 3:12
Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
Ester 3:13
And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.
Ester is told of the plan to kill her people, she begins to fast for three days:
4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Ester plans to save her people, Haman is asked to come to a meeting with the king
5:1
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
5:2
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
5:3
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
5:4
And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
Ester prepares a feast on the 16th of Abib, three days after the letter to kill her people, on the 13th.
6:1
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
The king studies the Bible
7:1
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
7:2
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
The second day of the banquet, the 17th of Abib
7:4
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
As the story progresses, Ester pleases the king and gets the letter overturned
7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
Again, the 17th day of the first month, Abib. This day seems to indicate deliverance, from water, Pharoah, mannah, Haman, and finally, sin by Jesus Christ.
These are the 50 days from first fruits until Penticost. Remember the verses? It is easier to see if you count backwards from 50 which is the first day of the week.
Lev
23:15
And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
23:16
Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
If you count from a Wednesday or a Friday perspective, you will never reach the 50th day being the day after the 7th sabbath.
The 17th of Abib is Firstfruits and the day after the sabbath.
The 16th is the weekly Sabbath
The 15th Unleavened Bread, the High day Sabbath
The 14th Passover, Preparation Day
Pentecost is always the day following the 7th Sabbath
Firstfruits is always the 17th of Abib, the third day of UnleavenedBread
The Preparation day, the 14th, Passover is always Thursday
The women bought spices, after the Sabbath, in fact, after both Sabbaths Mk 16:1
It should be obvious that the author has "hit the nail square on the head" concerning which
day Jesus Christ was crucufied. There are other interesting corelations: If Jesus was crucified
on a Wednesday, the middle of the week, it is interesting that at the Passover He instigated the
NEW COVENANT (now in obeisance). The man of sin, the anti-christ will BREAK his covenant in the
middle of his week. Also, notice the anadiplosis given in 2 Peter 3:8 "But beloved, be not
ignorant of "this one thing", that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day." This information is given by Peter concerning the time of the Lord's return,
the second coming of Christ. If this anadiplosis is refering to a pattern (established by God
at creation: Genesis 1 - 2:3) then the Sabbath (the seventh day) would corelate to the milennium
the (seventh) thousand years of God's plan for mankind on the earth. In relation to the New
Covenant being instituted at the week's middle (contrasted with the anti-christ's breaking of
the covenant at the same point) it is enlightening, to me, at least, that Jesus's resurrection
on the sabbath, or seventh day, fits the pattern of Christ's return at the end of the week,
precisely on time for the seventh thousand years, the millenium. Some may not see the pattern,
but for me it seems obvious.
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