Bible Study Seattle

Jesus died about 3pm Nisan 14th. This day was sometimes referred to as the preparation day. Nisan 15-21 is the feast of unleavened bread. (Leviticus 23:4-8) Jesus said the only sign that would be given to that generation was from Jonah: “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:38-40

Even if we count partial days/nights, we have this: Jesus spent one day in the grave Nisan 14 from 3pm-6pm. 6pm Nisan 15th to the next 6pm (sundown) is another night and day. 6pm Nisan 16th to the next 6pm is another night and day. He would need at least a few more hours the beginning of Nisan 17th to add the third night. He must have died between 7pm Nisan 17th and sunrise. Most accounts have Jesus rising on Sunday, but this author doubts that. The women went to the tomb on Sunday because they would have honored the Sabbath by resting. We believe Nisan 17th was a Sabbath and the women went to the tomb on Nisan 18th at or before sunrise. Much confusion has been added by not realizing that Nisan 15th is always a high Sabbath no matter what day of the week it falls on. That would make Thursday Nissan 15 a Sabbath, and Saturday Nisan 17 a Sabbath.