Jesus Christ was crucified on Passover Day, a Wednesday that week. The very next day, although a Thursday, was an annual Sabbath, the First Day of Unleavened Bread (See Leviticus 23:6-8). When scripture says it was “the day before the sabbath” when our Lord was crucified it is speaking of this annual sabbath, not the weekly sabbath (See Mark 15:42). That was the sabbath that “drew on” (See Luke 23:54). John, in his gospel account, even identifies it as “a high day” sabbath, that is an annual sabbath (See John 19: 31).
Jesus said He would be in the tomb three days and three nights, fulfilling the only sign He had given the Jews that He was indeed their Messiah to the letter. (See Matthew 12:38-40). Therefore, being placed in the tomb at evening, as the sun was setting, that was when He arose from the dead – at evening, not the next morning! (See Mark 15:42-47). That’s why when the women arrived at the tomb early Sunday morning, while it was yet dark, they found Him gone. Of course He was gone. He had departed the tomb the previous evening and gone into Galilee before returning to Jerusalem. (See Luke 24:1 and John 20:1 with Matthew 26:31-32 and Mark 14:28).
So, the Good Friday – Easter Sunday tradition is a myth, erroneous and continues to keep the Jewish people believing Jesus was a lying imposter. God forgive the preachers for their ignorance in fostering such a travesty!
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley