When was Yeshua Crucified?

Tradition (mainly from the early Catholic Church) is that Yeshua was crucified on Friday, but is that correct? Many have struggled with how that did not allow for 3 days & nights. Since Yeshua stated more than once He would be in the grave 3 days & nights. I'd like to offer the following:

We know several facts from scripture:

1. He was resurrected on the Feast of First Fruits (Nisan 17) which happened to fall on Saturday night, Sunday day that Year (Hebrew years are not the same as Gregorian).
2. The Women discovered the empty tomb on Sunday morning (Nissan 17)
3. Yeshua appeared to some of the Talmidim (disciples) that day (Nisan 17).
4. We know He celebrated Passover before the crucifixion.
5. We know that is was to be 3 days & nights.
6. We know that the first day of Passover is Nisan 14
7. We know that Hebrew days begin at sun down, to sundown.

Using these facts, the count is pretty straight forward:

- His Last Passover evening (Nisan 14),
- Executed Nisan 14 9-3pm, buried before sundown (day 1),
- In grave sundown to sunup (night 1, Nisan 15),
- In grave sunup to sundown (day 2, Nisan 15),
- In grave sundown to sunup (night 2, Nisan 16),
- In grave sunup to sundown (day 3, Nisan 16),
- In grave sundown to resurrection before sunup (night 3, Nisan 17) 
- Tomb empty Seen resurrected (day 4, Nisan 17) 

Crucifixion	In Grave	In Grave	In Grave	In Grave	In Grave \	Women see
Buried <6pm					Resurrection	Yeshua
Thur Day 1	Thur  Night 1	Friday  Day 2	Friday  Night 2	Sat.  Day 3	Sat.  Night 3	Sunday  Sun-up Day 4

The above count fits with scripture perfectly. Thus Yeshua was mostly likely crucified on Thursday, not Friday!

But someone might say they had to take him down before Sabbath, you are absolutely correct! The Sabbath being spoken of is not the weekly Sabbath, but the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  It should be noted that Jewish believers in Messiah, and early Gentile converts celebrated the resurrection on the 17th of Nisan.  This practice continued  until the emerging non-Jewish (previously Gentile) leadership of the church banned this celebration.

Not to divide, but it shows the value of understanding the scripture from it's:

- Literal
- Contextual
- Historical
- Cultural

Prospective.  Knowing the facts, strengthens ones Faith (Trust) in Messiah!

Shalom!

_________________
Blessings, BeShem Yeshua!
Cameron, Messianic Minister

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