gonzo
2 months ago
I am preparing for an upcoming Bible Study on the "Proof of the Resurrection" when I came across some interesting thoughts about the day of the week Christ was crucified. Like many, I have long held to Christ was crucified on "Good Friday". But now, I am open to the idea he may have been crucified on a Thursday.
Here is some background:
John 19:31: John notes that the Sabbath after Jesus' death was a "High Sabbath," which occurs during Passover week, indicating that it may not have been the weekly Sabbath. A Thursday crucifixion would allow for the preparation day and an additional day before the normal weekly Sabbath, thus explaining the phrase "three days and three nights." (There are additional parallels in Matt 12:40 to Jonah)
The concept of a High Sabbath has roots in the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus and Exodus. These "High Sabbaths" are special Sabbath days that are tied to specific feasts or holy days, not just the weekly Sabbath (Saturday). (Three examples in Lev 23, to include Feast of Passover)
Bringing in Exodus 12:6: "Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household... Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight."
So here is how we get to Christ Crucifixion on Thursday. Christ Selected on 10 Nisan (Palm Sunday 30 or 33 AD) and Crucified on 14 Nisan (4 Days later), which still allows for Christ to be buried before the High Sabbath - which would follow Exodus 12/Lev 23.
I've created a timeline to help:
Nisan 9 (Friday evening to Saturday evening):
Jesus arrives in Bethany and likely rests there during the Sabbath.
Nisan 10 (Saturday evening to Sunday evening):
Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday): Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Nisan 11 (Sunday evening to Monday evening):
Cleansing the Temple and teaching in Jerusalem.
Nisan 12 (Monday evening to Tuesday evening):
Jesus continues teaching and debating with religious leaders.
Nisan 13 (Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening):
Preparation for Passover and Judas finalizes his plans to betray Jesus.
Nisan 14 (Wednesday evening to Thursday evening):
The Last Supper occurs after sunset, followed by Jesus' arrest later that night in Gethsemane. Jesus is crucified during the day (Thursday, but still Nisan 14) and dies at 3 PM. He is buried before sunset.
Nisan 15 (Thursday evening to Friday evening):
High Sabbath. Jesus remains in the tomb.
Nisan 16 (Friday evening to Saturday evening):
Regular weekly Sabbath. Jesus remains in the tomb.
Nisan 17 (Saturday evening to Sunday evening):
Resurrection (Easter Sunday): Jesus resurrection early Sunday morning.
Now there are some issues with this, astronomical calendars to calculate what day of the week 14 Nisan (for both 30 and 33 AD) was, is largely accepted to be Friday - and not Thursday. But if we assume the astronomical calendars are correct, then we have issues with Exodus 12:6 and High Sabbath found in Lev 23.
I do want to put out, this is topic is merely intended for "iron to sharpen iron" (Prof 27:17). While Friday is traditionally recognized as the day of Christ's crucifixion, the focus remains on His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection, through which we are offered eternal life in Him (Romans 6:23).
