I was surprised when I recently heard that Jesus really entered Jerusalem on Monday! One of the arguments in support of that was, if Jesus entered Jerusalem on Monday, then there are no “silent” days, traditionally Wednesday, during the passion week. Really!?
I thought the only question was how to fit three days and three nights between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. Really, it can’t be done. That is unless one looks at the details, a few of which will be covered below. And that is the point, look at the details. Use the Bible to define what you believe, not just to defend what you believe.
The discussion below will cover a timeline for the week before the resurrection. Normal weekday names will be used. Sunday is the first day, then Monday through Saturday.
Let’s start on Sunday, the day Jesus rose, the first day of the week.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some definitive statement about Jesus rising the first day of the week so we wouldn’t have to rely on tradition and Christian practice?
How about...
“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” Mark 16:9
That seems pretty clear and there are no statements regarding Jesus rising at any other time. In addition, the first witnesses to His resurrection saw Him for the first time on Sunday, the first day of the week.
Two of the witnesses that saw Jesus on the first day of the week were the disciples on the road to Emmaus. The conversation that they had with Jesus helps with the time line of events. In Luke 24:21 they made the following statement:
“...to day is the third day since these things were done.”
Friday would be the first day, Saturday would be the second day, and Sunday would be the third day. But one might ask, “What things?” Jesus asked that question a couple of verses earlier and here is the response:
“...And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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.” Luke 24:19-21
The third day, three days and three nights, after three days did not start at the burial, but at the betrayal. Why did they believe that? Because that is what Jesus taught:
“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31
Jesus was betrayed on Friday, right after He ate the Passover feast with His disciples. And yes, that means that the passover was killed Thursday at the going down of the sun as it is supposed to be. Deut 16:6. “...there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun,...” The passover was killed on the 14th day of the Jewish calendar at evening. And that means at the end of the 14th day of the month, not the beginning. There was not a whole day for preparing the meal. Exodus 12 is pretty clear about the timing of the events.
“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.
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night,
roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning;
and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.” Exodus 12:6-11
Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.” Exodus 12:29-39
I thought the only question was how to fit three days and three nights between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. Really, it can’t be done. That is unless one looks at the details, a few of which will be covered below. And that is the point, look at the details. Use the Bible to define what you believe, not just to defend what you believe.
The discussion below will cover a timeline for the week before the resurrection. Normal weekday names will be used. Sunday is the first day, then Monday through Saturday.
Let’s start on Sunday, the day Jesus rose, the first day of the week.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some definitive statement about Jesus rising the first day of the week so we wouldn’t have to rely on tradition and Christian practice?
How about...
“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” Mark 16:9
That seems pretty clear and there are no statements regarding Jesus rising at any other time. In addition, the first witnesses to His resurrection saw Him for the first time on Sunday, the first day of the week.
Two of the witnesses that saw Jesus on the first day of the week were the disciples on the road to Emmaus. The conversation that they had with Jesus helps with the time line of events. In Luke 24:21 they made the following statement:
“...to day is the third day since these things were done.”
Friday would be the first day, Saturday would be the second day, and Sunday would be the third day. But one might ask, “What things?” Jesus asked that question a couple of verses earlier and here is the response:
“...And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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.” Luke 24:19-21
The third day, three days and three nights, after three days did not start at the burial, but at the betrayal. Why did they believe that? Because that is what Jesus taught:
“And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31
Jesus was betrayed on Friday, right after He ate the Passover feast with His disciples. And yes, that means that the passover was killed Thursday at the going down of the sun as it is supposed to be. Deut 16:6. “...there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun,...” The passover was killed on the 14th day of the Jewish calendar at evening. And that means at the end of the 14th day of the month, not the beginning. There was not a whole day for preparing the meal. Exodus 12 is pretty clear about the timing of the events.
“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.
And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night,
roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning;
and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.” Exodus 12:6-11
Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.” Exodus 12:29-39
The meal, the passover, and the people leaving of Egypt were done in haste.
Back to the event at hand. The Bible is pretty clear that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples.
"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed." Luke 22:7 (That would be the 14th day of the month)
"And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat." Luke 22:8
"And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?" Luke 22:11
"And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover." Luke 22:13
"And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?" Luke 22:11
"And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover." Luke 22:13
"And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:" Luke 22:15
There is an interesting bit of information that can be found about the trials that Jesus faced Friday before the sunrise. John 18:28 says the following:
“Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”
The passage from Exodus clearly states that the passover must be eaten before morning. Anything that was left was to be burnt by morning. Think, think, think.... If the passover was killed on Friday and the meal followed, which would be after sunset, the leaders could have been made clean in the evening, but they wanted to eat the passover at the correct time, which would have been Friday before the morning.
We are almost done. Friday is the Passover. Now look at John 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.”
The math for this one is not too hard. Six days before Friday would be Saturday.
Then skip to John 12:12-13
“On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 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.”
The next day following Saturday would be Sunday. Please read verses 2-11. I do not see any more days mentioned. It is curious then that a “silent” day must be added here to make Monday the day Jesus entered Jerusalem.
So what about Wednesday? Matthew 26:1-16 and Mark 14:1-11. Both mention “after two days is the feast of the passover” which was Friday. That would put these events on Wednesday. Where did I learn to count days? Look here...
2 Chronicles is dealing with a complaint of the people against King Rehoboam. After voicing their grievance, Rehoboam says to them, “...Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.” 2 Chronicles 10:5. Rehoboam gets counsel from some old men that stood before Solomon and also from his contemporaries, not surprisingly Rehoboam sided with his cronies. What is interesting is what follows that section in verse 12 of 2 Chronicles 10:
“So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.”
"After three days = the third day. Have we come full circle yet? After two days then would be the second day. So here is the timeline that many are familiar with...
Saturday - John 12:1 Six days before the passover Jesus comes to Bethany.
“Palm” Sunday - John 12:12-13; Mark 11:1-11 The next day Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Monday - Mark 11: 12-19 On the morrow...fig tree without fruit
Tuesday - Mark 11:20 And in the morning...fig tree dried up
Wednesday - Mark 14:1 After two days was the feast of the Passover
Thursday - Mark 14:12 The first day of unleavened bread
“Good” Friday - Mark 14:17-15:47
Saturday - the sabbath
“Resurrection” Sunday - Mark 16:9 ...and when He had risen the first day of the week...
It’s more than a tradition...
There is an interesting bit of information that can be found about the trials that Jesus faced Friday before the sunrise. John 18:28 says the following:
“Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.”
The passage from Exodus clearly states that the passover must be eaten before morning. Anything that was left was to be burnt by morning. Think, think, think.... If the passover was killed on Friday and the meal followed, which would be after sunset, the leaders could have been made clean in the evening, but they wanted to eat the passover at the correct time, which would have been Friday before the morning.
We are almost done. Friday is the Passover. Now look at John 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.”
The math for this one is not too hard. Six days before Friday would be Saturday.
Then skip to John 12:12-13
“On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 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.”
The next day following Saturday would be Sunday. Please read verses 2-11. I do not see any more days mentioned. It is curious then that a “silent” day must be added here to make Monday the day Jesus entered Jerusalem.
So what about Wednesday? Matthew 26:1-16 and Mark 14:1-11. Both mention “after two days is the feast of the passover” which was Friday. That would put these events on Wednesday. Where did I learn to count days? Look here...
2 Chronicles is dealing with a complaint of the people against King Rehoboam. After voicing their grievance, Rehoboam says to them, “...Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.” 2 Chronicles 10:5. Rehoboam gets counsel from some old men that stood before Solomon and also from his contemporaries, not surprisingly Rehoboam sided with his cronies. What is interesting is what follows that section in verse 12 of 2 Chronicles 10:
“So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.”
"After three days = the third day. Have we come full circle yet? After two days then would be the second day. So here is the timeline that many are familiar with...
Saturday - John 12:1 Six days before the passover Jesus comes to Bethany.
“Palm” Sunday - John 12:12-13; Mark 11:1-11 The next day Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Monday - Mark 11: 12-19 On the morrow...fig tree without fruit
Tuesday - Mark 11:20 And in the morning...fig tree dried up
Wednesday - Mark 14:1 After two days was the feast of the Passover
Thursday - Mark 14:12 The first day of unleavened bread
“Good” Friday - Mark 14:17-15:47
Saturday - the sabbath
“Resurrection” Sunday - Mark 16:9 ...and when He had risen the first day of the week...
It’s more than a tradition...
