The Truth Behind Good Friday 3-11

Now that we have found out information surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and we have found out how days were counted during this time period, let us see if we can determine when Jesus actually died and was buried as it is told according to the gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  As stated earlier, tradition has Jesus’ death and burial occurring on the Friday before his Sunday resurrection.  Let us see what the scriptures have to say.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour (Matthew 27:45).

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas (Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he

to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:25-27).

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?  that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias (Elijah) (Matthew 27:46-47).

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.  Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar (sour wine): and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth (John 19:28-29).

And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.  The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias (Elijah) will come to save him (Matthew 27:48-49).

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar (sour wine), he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost (his spirit) (John 19:30).

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost (breathed his last).  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain (torn in two) from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent (split); and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.  Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching (guarding) Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God  (Matthew 27:50-54).

Now when the centurion saw what was done (had happened), he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.  And all the people (crowd) that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote (beat) their breasts, and returned.  And all the people (crowd) that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote (beat) their breasts, and returned.  And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things (Luke 23:47-49).

There were also women looking on afar off:  among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem (Mark 15:40-41).

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought (asked) Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:  but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith (immediately) came there out blood and water.  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced (John 19:31-37).

And now when the even (evening) was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counselor (prominent council member), which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved (asked for) the body of Jesus.  And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while (a long time) dead.  And when he knew it (learned) of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph (Mark 15:42-45).

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.  He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.  And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound (bound) it in linen clothes (strips) with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury (John 19:38-40).

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.  And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on (near) (Luke 23:53-54).

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher (Mark 15:46).

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher (tomb), wherein was never man yet laid.  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand (nearby) (John 19:41-42).

And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.  And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against (opposite) the sepulcher (Matthew 27:59-61).

And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid (Mark 15:47).

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.  And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments (fragrant oils); and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment (Luke 23:55-56).

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulcher (tomb) be made sure (secure) until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error (deception) shall be worse than the first.  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch (guard): go your way, make it as sure (secure) as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulcher sure (secure), sealing the stone, and setting a watch (guard) (Matthew 27:62-66).

These passages give the most detailed description of events surrounding the death and burial of Jesus.  Again, we know that all of this could have been summarized into about a paragraph, but as stated earlier, it is still important that you actually see and read for yourself what is written in the Bible.  Once again, we emphasize that you look at the scriptures for yourself and not take someone else’s word as to what the Bible has written in it.  Keep in mind that words can be manipulated to say many things, so check out everything to make sure it is in line with the word of God.  Just as there have been some controversy as to the definition of the Sabbath and as to when the Sabbath actually occurs, there is just as much controversy surrounding the crucifixion and death of Jesus.  Let us carefully examine the story of his crucifixion and death to see if we can resolve any of the controversy.  By the way, any thoughts on the seventy-two hours yet?

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Next
The Truth Behind Good Friday 4-11