There seems to be confusion in the minds of some in regard to the time element surrounding the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, so we have gathered together the scriptural references in connection therewith, in the hope that it will clarify the subject.
Thursday evening—
The arrest of Jesus and being led to Caiphas the high priest—Matt. 26:57, Mark 14.53 and Luke 22:54.
That same evening—
His trial before Caiphas—Matt. 26:57-68, Mark 14:55-65, Luke 22 :63-65.
Early on Friday morning—
Delivered before Pilate—”When the morning was come,” Matt. 27:1, 2, 11-30, “And straightway in the morning,” Mark 15:1-20, “And as soon as it was day,” Luke 22:66-71, 23:-1-25, “And it was early,” John 18:28-40, 19:1-16.
A note at this point—Herod was in Jerusalem at that time (Luke 23:7-12) so that the time spent going to him and being returned to Pilate would be brief.
Friday still—
Crucifixion — “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the land unto the ninth hour.” (noon to 3 p. m.) Matt. 27 :32-50, “And it was the third hour (between 9 and 10 in the morning), and they crucified him.” Mark 15:22-32, “And when the sixth hour was come etc. . . ” Mark 15: 32-39, Luke 23 :26-49, John 19 :17- 37. Note that John says “And it was the preparation of the pass-over, and about the sixth hour,” (19 :14) while Mark’s account is more specific as to the time of the crucifixion, etc.
Another note here—John says — “For the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city ” which would explain how it was possible for the crucifixion to take place in such a short time after the trial before Pilate.
Friday before 6 p. m.
Burial— “When the even was come,” Matt. 27:57-61, “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,” Mark 15:42-47, “And the day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.” Luke 23:50-56, “There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews preparation day ; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” John 19:38-42.
On the Sabbath (Sat.)—
(The women) “Rested the sabbath day according to the commandment,” Luke 23:55, 56. The chief priests and the Pharisees asked Pilate to make the sepulchre sure until the third day. Matt. 27:62-66.
The first day of the week (Sun.)—
Women found the empty tomb—Jesus had risen—Matt. 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12. That same day Jesus was seen by disciples going to Emmaus, and was made known to them in the breaking of bread ; and also later on that same day he appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem, Luke 24 :13- 49, John 20:19-23.
About Jewish days—see Gen. 1 :5. A day was counted from 6 one evening till 6 the next evening.
The three days in which Jesus was in the grave-1st day—Thurs. 6 p m. to Fri. 6 p. m. He died this day. 2nd day—Fri. 6 p. m. to Sat. 6 p. m. He lay in the grave all of this day. 3rd day—Sat. 6 p. m. to Sun. 6 p. m.—He rose this day.
Our Lord rose from the dead on the third day according to the scriptures, Luke 24:46, I Cor. 15:3, 4.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One