It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,
Mark 15:42 NIV
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.
Mark 16:1 NIV
All four gospel accounts agree that the women went to Jesus’ tomb early on Sunday–the first day of the week (Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). And, when they arrived, they found the tomb empty–Jesus had risen. Resurrection before dawn on Sunday morning seems undebatable.
But what about the day of his crucifixion and burial? Mark 15:42 tells us that on the Preparation Day (the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. It was given to him, and he placed Jesus’ body in a tomb. Then, in Mark 16:1, we read that when the Sabbath was over, some women found the tomb empty.
On the surface, that would seem to make Friday the day of the crucifixion. Yet Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:40, that he would be in the grave for three days and nights. And that has led some to dispute a Friday crucifixion. Late Friday to early Sunday does not seem to be three days and nights.
Resolving the Dispute
Traditionally, this has been resolved by understanding that, in Jewish culture, any portion of a day was considered a whole day. We do that now when we make an overnight trip, saying we were gone for two days. And, given that Jesus was in the ground for a portion of three days, we understand his words in Matthew 12:40 as fulfilled.
Some will dispute that, however, and want to see Jesus in the ground for closer to 72 hours. They will push the crucifixion back to Thursday, or even Wednesday, and resolve the timing of Mark 15:42 and Mark 16:1 by identifying two consecutive Sabbaths. A Sabbath associated with the Passover and the regular weekly Sabbath.
But does it really matter whether Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday? Some would argue strenuously that it does. But I do not believe so. It could be that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday or Thursday. But the most straightforward reading from the Scripture is that it was on Friday. And that date is supported by Tradition. But, in the end, what matters is that, regardless of the day, Jesus was crucified as the atoning sacrifice for my sins. And that he rose from the dead, defeating death and making eternal life possible for all who believe in him.
He has risen! Hallelujah!
