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Three Days and Three Nights
-- When Did Yeshua Die?
John D. Keyser
In Matthew 12:38-40 we read:
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see
a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, "An evil and adulterous genera-
tion after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For
Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (see also Luke 11:29-30, and
Jonah 1:17).
Most Christians today believe that Yeshua (Christ) died on a Friday afternoon and rose
from the dead at dawn on Sunday -- the first day of the week.
There are, however, a number of Christians who hold the view that Yeshua died on a
Wednesday afternoon and was resurrected late on the Saturday afternoon. Matthew 12:38-40 is
quoted as the primary support for a Wednesday crucifixion since, it is said, Friday afternoon to
Sunday at dawn does not encompass three entire days AND three entire nights -- or 72 hours.
In this article we will explain WHY Yeshua died on the Preparation Day for the weekly
Sabbath and was raised from the dead at dawn on the first day of the week -- "the third day." The
period of his death covered just 36 hours. Let us explain:
"Nor Did His Flesh See Corruption"
In Acts 2:25 we read --
For David speaketh concerning him, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is
on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my
tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave
my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption" (see Psalm
16:10).
Then, applying the words of this prophecy to Yeshua, we read:
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell
(death -- the grave), neither his flesh did see corruption (decay). This Jesus hath God
raised up, whereof we all are witnesses (Acts 2:30-31).
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