Your Bible trivia questions answered by Phil Logos...

Was Jesus crucified on a Wednesday?

Good Friday is traditionally observed as the day Jesus was crucified, and it precedes Easter Sunday, the day Christians celebrate his resurrection. However, there are biblical passages and historical evidence that suggest Jesus might have been crucified on a different day. We will examine the evidence for Jesus dying on a Wednesday and being raised after the regular Sabbath on Saturday, fulfilling the prophecy of three days and three nights.

I. Prophecy of Three Days and Three Nights

1. Matthew 12:38-40: Jesus compares his time in the grave to Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish.
2. Significance of the prophecy: The fulfilment of this prophecy is crucial for validating Jesus’ claims and confirming his identity as the Messiah.

II. The Last Supper and the Passover

1. The Last Supper: Jesus and his disciples shared a meal before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23).
2. Timing of the Passover: The Passover meal was eaten after sunset, which marked the beginning of a new day according to Jewish custom (Leviticus 23:5; Exodus 12:18).
3. Controversy over the day of the Last Supper: Some scholars argue that the Last Supper was not the traditional Passover meal, while others believe it was.

III. The Crucifixion and the High Sabbath

1. John 19:31: The day following Jesus’ crucifixion was a “high day,” a special Sabbath (Passover High Sabbath) that could fall on any day of the week.
2. Matthew 27:62-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56: Jesus’ body was hurriedly placed in the tomb before sunset because the next day was a Sabbath.
3. Timing of the Passover High Sabbath: It is possible that the Passover High Sabbath fell on a Thursday, which would place Jesus’ crucifixion on a Wednesday.

The Jewish calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar cycles, with a number of festivals and holy days commemorated throughout the year. High Sabbaths, also known as High Holy Days or Special Sabbaths, are annual observances that hold particular significance in the Jewish faith. They are distinct from the regular weekly Sabbath, which is observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday.

Passover (Pesach) celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and the sparing of their firstborn during the final plague (Exodus 12). Passover begins on the 14th of Nisan, and the first day is observed as a High Sabbath. Some scholars suggest that the years 30 AD and 33 AD are possible candidates for Jesus’ crucifixion, with the Passover High Sabbath falling on a Thursday.

IV. The Resurrection and the Regular Sabbath

1. Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18: All four Gospels indicate that Jesus’ tomb was found empty on the first day of the week (Sunday).
2. Significance of the regular Sabbath: If Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday and the Passover High Sabbath was on Thursday, the regular Sabbath on Saturday would mark the end of the three days and three nights prophecy.

Though the traditional observance of Good Friday places Jesus’ crucifixion on a Friday, there is evidence to suggest that he might have died on a Wednesday, with the Passover High Sabbath on Thursday and his resurrection occurring after the regular Sabbath on Saturday. This interpretation aligns with the prophecy of three days and three nights, further confirming Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. It is important to recognize that determining the exact year of Jesus’ crucifixion and the corresponding High Sabbath remains a matter of debate among scholars, but it is essential for believers to examine the Scriptures carefully, to gain a deeper understanding of these events and their significance in our faith.