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To: Dr. Crane [eaglechristianchurch.com]

Subject: Was Jesus Really Dead Three Days?

---Original Message---

If Jesus was crucified on Friday, how could he have been in the grave three days and nights?

Reply:

Some scholars do believe that Jesus was in the grave for three full days and nights (72 hours). Those who hold to this suggest that he was crucified either on Wednesday or Thursday. In support of their view they posit that Passover was not a fixed day (Friday), but that it floated from year to year. They then point out that the Bible does not record any activity for Jesus on Wednesday—allowing them to move the crucifixion up accordingly.

Most biblical scholars, however, believe that Jesus was crucified on Friday and acknowledge that Jesus was only in the tomb for parts of three days—pointing out that the phrase “on the third day” (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 26:61) can legitimately be understood to mean “within three days,” rather than 72 hours. It is certainly used this way elsewhere (cf. Esther 4:16).

This second view certainly fits best within the chronological order of events given by the gospel writers (see Mark 14:1ff) as well as the fact that Jesus died on Passover day (Friday) to fulfill the conditions of being our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7; Leviticus 23:5–15).