Day of The Week of Messiah's Crucifixion And Resurrection

Video of Bill's Teaching Originally Recorded: 2017-11-05 | Video of Bill's Teaching Published: 2020-03-18
Text/Study of Our Views Written: 2020-03-18 | Text/Study of Our Views Last Updated: 2021-05-31 | Our Video Study Recorded: 2020-05-08

Related Videos: Barley, Equinox, New Year, HaAviyv, Wave Sheaf Day, Resurrection Day, Omer Count Discussion | Omer Count Summary

Introduction

Brother Bill (who is the main presenter in the video you can watch at the bottom of this page) has done significant work on Biblical Chronology and is considered to be a Biblical Chronologist by WillYouLoveHim Ministries. After reviewing his work and discussing it with him on numerous occasions in detailed one-on-one discussions to better understand some of his perspectives and ask probing questions to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying work, assumptions, methodologies, etc., we have come to the conclusion that Bill's work on Biblical Chronology is well done and should be archived somewhere for others to review and consider. We do have a few differences of opinions on some of the more detailed things in the Chronology of the below video, however, we agree with brother Bill that the Messiah (Christ) Yahushua was impaled (some would use the word crucified) on the fifth (5th) day of the week in the year 30 A.D. and resurrected on the first (1st) day of the week. We specifically believe there is scriptural proof Yahushua was resurrected within the last two watches of the third night in the tomb, in the early morning hours after the cock has crowed but before sunrise on the first day of the week.

There are additional evidences of the year in another video which we plan to publish about the birth year of the Messiah Yahushua (link will be provided here once that video is published). However, the below video is mostly focused on explaining the day of the week, not so much the year itself, although one must explain the day and year for their view to be feasible. Bill has done an excellent job in presenting his research and we are happy to get this video and the related documents linked below published so that you also may benefit from his diligent work. Please do your own studies as well. As we said, we do have slightly different views on some of the chronology, but our end conclusion is in agreement to recognize the year 30 A.D. and 5th day of the week as the day of impalement and death, and the morning of the first (1st) day of the week as the time for the resurrection. We are happy to have the opportunity to learn from Bill and have a more thorough understanding of the chronology of the week of the Messiah Yahushua's impalement. Bill's work has been a springboard from which we could examine the chronology and come to our own conclusions regarding the details of the week of the impalement of the Messiah Yahushua.

Regarding the day of the week for the crucifixion (impalement) and resurrection, we believe it is an undeniable fact that the Messiah Yahushua died on the fifth day of the week at the 9th hour, was put in the tomb on that same day, and was resurrected on the first day of the week in the morning during the last two watches of the night after the cock crowed but before sunrise. I'm not a person to say such statements quickly, but after considering all the Scriptures for years, that is what the Scriptures appear to reveal. The major proof verses for this belief include Luke 23:50-55, Mark 15:42-47, and John 19:38-42 to establish he was put in the tomb the same day he died (when there was still daylight left on the Annual Preparation Day), and Mark 16:9, Matthew 28:2, and Matthew 28:10-15 to establish the time of day of the resurrection. Below is our written study regarding these issues. We respect those who have a different view, but we believe our view is correct and solidly based on Scriptures.

Did Yahushua Die On the 4th Day, 5th Day, or 6th Day of The Week?

Good Friday Is Impossible

We do not promote the use of pagan names for days of the week nor would we read those names out loud, however, for purposes of search results so that more people find this page, we want to state that the theory on the crucifixion that leads people to believe that Christ died on what the world calls "Good Friday" is easily proven incorrect. This theory is rooted in non-biblical historical writings dating back almost as early as around 100 AD. Over the centuries, these writings outside of the Bible have probably come to be regarded as authoritative by Greek Orthodox and/or Catholic persons, however, no matter how old a manuscript is, if it's not the Bible, it's not the Bible. These writings have influenced what have become the traditions of many Christians worldwide, but no matter how old a teaching is, if it's not in line with Scriptures then we cannot accept it as being correct.

Yahushua said clearly in Matthew 12:40 he would be three days and three nights in the heart of the land. We believe this means you must find, at a minimum, parts of three days and parts of three nights where he was in the tomb. If you go from the sixth day of the week (which the world calls "Friday") during the day time, to the first day of the week (which the world calls "Sunday") in the morning, that only gives you two nights - not three. Therefore, this traditional teaching must be incorrect. It doesn't matter how far a teaching goes back - if it doesn't line up with Scriptures, it is not correct.

We have warnings in Acts from the man known as Paul (whose real name in Hebrew was Sha'ul and in Latin Paulus). He warns us as follows:

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

This is a clear warning and prophecy that WITHIN THE FIRST CENTURY false teachings would come even from among people INSIDE the "Church". So the fact that you can trace your Church tradition to the first century means nothing. You must find your beliefs in the Bible, not in "Church Tradition". The sixth day of the week is impossible and incorrect based on Matthew 12:40 alone - the sixth day could not have been the day that Yahushua died. I don't think that possibility should get any further attention because there are only two nights from the sixth day of the week in the day time until the first day of the week in the morning, so it is automatically disqualified as impossible. There must be three nights of Yahushua in the tomb.

6th Day Death = Impossible - Now Let's Discuss 4th and 5th Day Scenarios

The Importance of Mark 16:9

Firstly - I will mention that some people try to throw out parts of Mark 16 because they claim it was not in some manuscripts. Our view regarding issues like this is that we consider it to be dangerous to throw out any Scriptures or manuscripts from Genesis to Revelation and that we must be very careful to not jump to conclusions. If one manuscript contains text another doesn't, we are better off accepting all of the manuscripts and trying to understand the various possible ways that the truth could be understood whether text is read one way or another or whether it's included in the original or not. To simply decide to throw out a chunk of Scriptures is risky and dangerous in my opinion and may lead to incorrect doctrines. I think it's safer to consider the alternative possibilities and then consider the possible explanations. We do not agree with being so quick to throw out parts of Scriptures as some others are willing to do - so for us we accept Mark 16:9 as Scriptures. However, we have additional verses to make our points as well for those who will not consider Mark 16:9 in this discussion.

With that first issue out of the way - part of Mark 16:9 says clearly "And having risen early on the first day of the week...". This is different from other verses in that it specifically tells you the time of day Yahushua was resurrected. The word "early" does not mean "early in the Biblical day at evening" - it does NOT mean that. What it means is in the morning. We know this word means "morning" or refers to a time period in the morning because it is from the same Greek word as "morning" in Mark 13:35 - "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the boss of the house is coming - in the evening or at midnight, or at the crowing of the cock, or in the morning,". The context under which this word is used in Mark 13:35 narrows down the time of day and makes it clear that the Greek word translated "early" in Mark 16:9 actually, more specifically, is referring to a time period in the "morning" --- NOT "sunset", NOT "evening", NOT "midnight" or something else. This word in the Greek is a time period AFTER THE CROWING OF THE COCK according to Mark 13:35 - so this must be in the morning. So the idea that people teach that Yahushua was resurrected in the "evening" or at "sunset" is proven already incorrect by Mark 16:9 alone, but there are other evidences to show that a night time morning resurrection is the truth as well.

Why The Time of Day of The Resurrection Matters So Much

If we can provide evidence to narrow down the time of the day that Yahushua was resurrected, then we can also demonstrate how long Yahushua was in the tomb (approximately). If we can provide evidence Yahushua was resurrected at night time or in the morning, then we have effectively DISPROVEN the "72-hour theory" that so many people have adopted. If we all come into agreement on the day of the week Yahushua died and the timing of his resurrection and the year that these events took place (30 A.D.), this can promote us also coming together in agreement on a number of calendar issues including:

1. The Crescent Moon vs. Conjunction Discussion - A 30 A.D. 5th day of the week impalement and 1st day morning resurrection supports a crescent moon sighting to start the Biblical month. An elongation of as little as 10.5° is sufficient to allow for the crescent moon to be seen which makes this dating a real possibility (and which we believe is correct). According to our research, the elongation and other factors were sufficient for the moon to have been sighted on the night that would place these events on the days that we're claiming. If you believe in an alternative day of the week for Yahushua's impalement, that may force you to accept conjunction as the way to start Biblical months, because there is actually evidence that you cannot select a year beyond 31 A.D.. Evidence of that will be shown in the next video posted to this website from Bill's studies which focuses on the birth year of Yahushua.
2. The Omer Count Discussion - A 1st day resurrection of Yahushua, who is the first-fruits, supports the omer count interpretation that the Sabbath referred to Leviticus 23:11 is the weekly Sabbath, not the Annual Sabbath (which means the count starts on the 1st day of the week every year).

What Is The 72-Hour Theory?

Many, many people seem to have adopted a strict/strong/unwavering stance that Yahushua MUST be in the tomb EXACTLY 72 hours. Seventy-two hours can only be a possibility if Yahushua were to be resurrected in the evening at the same time he was put in the tomb, so if we can provide evidence he was not resurrected in the evening but was resurrected in the night or morning, then that is all that's needed to show it was not 72 hours. Unless you have proof he was resurrected in the evening, then you have to let go of your interpretation of Matthew 12:40, because Matthew 12:40 is flexible and doesn't necessarily require 72 hours in the tomb the way it is written.

Why The 72-Hour Theory Is Not As Strong of A Doctrine As People Think

Where does this teaching that it "must" be 72 hours come from? Matthew 12:40 simply says, "For as Yonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, so shall the Son of Adam be three days and three nights in the heart of the land.". Yahushua could have been more specific and said, "3 nights for 4 watches and 3 days for 12 hours", but he did not get that specific, so for someone to automatically interpret his words to be that specific when they were not worded that way is merely an assumption. It should be noted, not only is the 72-hour theory an assumption, it is an assumption without any Scriptures to back it up by showing clear evidence of an evening resurrection. I am presenting an explanation here that provides enough Scriptural evidence to show Yahushua was not put in the tomb "exactly" at sunset - but rather before sunset in the evening when there was still part of that day left, and enough Scriptural evidence to show that Yahushua was not resurrected at the time of sunset or before that at any time in the evening, and Bill's video points out additional things people need to consider as well.

Everyone knows a baby is supposed to be circumcised on the 8th day. In counting the days to circumcision, if a baby is born 5 minutes before sunset, that 5 minutes counts as Day #1. It may have not been a full 24 hour day, but it counts as Day #1 in the count to Day #8 for the purposes of circumcision. There are many other Biblical examples where a partial day counts as a day in Scriptures, so taking Matthew 12:40 and trying to say it "must" be 72 hours is erroneous and without any basis. Three days and three nights can easily be interpreted to include part of a day as day #1 (the time between when Yahushua was put in the Tomb and sunset), and part of a night in night #3 (the time between sunset and when he was resurrected in the morning). There is absolutely zero, none, no basis whatsoever to "require" Matthew 12:40 "must" mean 72 hours. This is merely an assumption, and the evidence in Scriptures as a whole shows that this assumption is incorrect and without basis. The example of circumcision alone disproves that a "day" "must" be a full day to be considered a day when counting days in the Bible.

A Reasonable Conclusion Backed Up By Easy To Understand Scriptures

Since Mark 16:9 and other verses clearly illustrate the resurrection was in the morning and at night, that automatically disproves an evening or sunset resurrection and therefore also automatically disproves the 4th day of the week theories presented by others.

Matthew 28:2 shows there was an earthquake and implies the earthquake happened sometime in the morning possibly shortly before they arrived at the tomb. An earthquake happened when Yahushua died in Matthew 27:51 which gives us evidence that this earthquake in Matthew 28:2 was probably announcing his resurrection in the morning sometime close to sunrise probably.

Matthew 28:10-15 shows A LOT. Let's examine the main points from verses 10-13 (the main focus of those verses) and shine light on the truth:

Matthew 28:10 Then Yahushua said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go, report to My brothers, to go to Galil, and they shall see Me there."
11 And while they were going, see, some of the watch having gone into the city, reported to the chief priests all that took place.

Question: If Yahushua had been resurrected almost 11 or 12 hours before this, around sunset in the evening, why would the guards wait until the morning time after the women had come to the tomb to report to the chief priests what took place?

Answer: Yahushua was not resurrected the evening before. Yahushua was resurrected in the morning (probably in the last night watch before sunrise) and that's why the guards did not even go to report anything until after it was already morning.

Matthew 28:12 And when they came together with the elders and taken counsel, they gave enough silver to the soldiers,
13 saying, "Say that His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.

For any lie to be effective it would have to be "believable" and in some cases a lie may have some truth mixed in. The lie was two parts: 1) the part of the statement that says the disciples stole him away, and 2) it was because they slept through the event. The part that is the truth is that he was resurrected at night time when people would normally get tired and fall asleep. This event, very clearly, did not happen at sunset in the evening when people would normally still be awake and have more energy. It is ABUNDANTLY AND OBVIOUSLY CLEAR that Matthew 28:10-15 is VERY STRONG EVIDENCE which points obviously to a night time resurrection. People don't normally sleep at sunset, especially if they are a guard that could get in trouble, so if you claim he rose in the evening around sunset or before sunset, your story falls completely apart here (if it didn't already fall apart at Mark 16:9 or Matthew 28:2).

I really cannot see how it would ever be possible for me to come to another conclusion. You could write a 2,000 page study on why you believe in a 4th day of the week impalement with a 72 hour time period in the tomb, but you will never be able to explain this to me - because this reveals the truth that Yahushua was in fact, no way, no how, not in the tomb for 72 full hours. The time he was put in the tomb was the evening, and the time he was resurrected is very clearly in the night, long past the time of day when he was put in the tomb. This, to me, is a case closed. There is no further evidence needed, and there is no amount of diagrams, charts, or explanations one could give to prove something different. We need to keep things simple and when something like this is in Scriptures, which is very easy to understand and see, we need to accept the simple and easy understanding and not complicate things for no reason.

If I sincerely could see a 72-hour scenario in the Scriptures, I would have no issue going along with it. But I would be lying to you if I said, "when I study the Scriptures, I can see how a 72 hour scenario is possible" - if I said that, I would be lying to you. If 72 hours in the tomb is the truth, then I profess blindness to that truth and ask for mercy and forgiveness, because I honestly don't see the Scriptures supporting that at all. I say all of that so that you know I am sincere in my openness to whatever the Scriptures show and I'm truly open to correction and hearing others' views, but I also have to acknowledge when I think it would be fruitless. I think if you wrote a 2,000 page study supporting a 72 hour theory, I would still come back to you at the end of your complicated study with my simple questions which are still unanswered, so that's why I'm not going to spend the time on even longer, more elaborate studies which are more complicated than what I'm presenting here. I don't think Yahweh made it complicated for us to understand, and it seems to me he gave us enough pieces of the puzzle to figure this out simply.

Also, I want to point out that the word "week" in the phrase "first day of the week" in Matthew 28:1 can mean Sabbath or week. We do see this word also translated as "week" in Luke 18:12 - "I fast twice a week...". So you cannot say that it can't mean "week" also in Matthew 28:1. It seems very clear that it can go either way in the Greek. Also, my memory on the Aramaic is that when I researched it online I think it also had a different word here that meant "week", but I'm not as skilled in researching that - I can only say what I remember learning based on my limited research and understanding. But it's very clear Luke 18:12 means "week" and that's from the same word as "week" in Matthew 28:1 - so it can mean "week" also and is not a wrong translation. Also, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 shows collections being done on the first day of the week and the word there is also from the same word as in Matthew 28:1. This shows that Matthew 28:1 is correctly translated as "first day of the week" or "day one of the week". They would NOT be doing collections on the weekly Sabbath! They waited till the first day of the week to do collections because they were Sabbath keepers!

When Were Spices Bought or Prepared?

No matter what verses you bring up, there was time both before the Annual Sabbath after he died as well as time after the weekly Sabbath before he was resurrected to fulfill anything any Scriptures state regarding spices. This is not an issue as some try to make it out to be.

What About Yoseph (Joseph) of Ramathayim (Arimathaea)?

In accordance with Numbers 9:6-13 and Numbers 19 (which discusses the cleansing for those defiled due to dead bodies), anyone who touches a dead body would not be able to do the Exodus 12 Passover in the 1st Biblical Month; they would have to do the Exodus 12 Passover in the 2nd Biblical month. However, they would still need to get the leaven out and do other preparations to observe the Annual Sabbath on the 15th and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Did Yahushua & The Disciples Do Passover At A Different Time Than The Pharisees or Other Jews?

Please read our Biblical Calendar Study which covers this answer in more details. The short answer is as follows:

1. There are multiple "Passovers" and the word "Passover" does not refer to only one thing at one time.
2. There is an Exodus 12 Passover which must be from sheep or goats you roast on the 14th and eat at the end of the 14th and/or going into the night of the 15th.
3. There is a Deuteronomy 16 Passover which can be from sheep or goats (flock) or oxen and cattle (herd) according to Deuteronomy 16:2. This Deuteronomy 16 Passover is killed 24 hours after the Exodus 12 Passover on the evening of the first day to remember the time they came out (Deuteronomy 16:2-4). The Deuteronomy 16 Passover may have different cooking requirements also. Research the Hebrew of Deuteronomy 16:7 - the word there does not mean "roast" in the Hebrew - that is a translation error!
4. Conclusion: The Exodus 12 Passover commemorates Yahushua's death for us and the meal with bitter herbs following on that night when the 1st born of Egypt died and them coming out in the morning. The Deuteronomy 16 Passover commemorates the time they came out of Egypt on the 15th also, possibly referring to leaving the broader borders of Egypt in general and not just the city they came out of (this is speculation on my part).
5. Yahushua is also called our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).
6. The Passover that Yahushua and his disciples ate was the body and blood of Yahushua himself. They did partake of the Passover in that they partook of the body and blood of Yahushua. However, the next night after Yahushua died, the disciples also would partake of another Passover - the physical lamb or goat for the Exodus 12 Passover.
7. Conclusion: There are multiple "Passovers" and people have been trained to think of there only being one, but the Scriptures show Passover is not one single thing but refers to multiple things. Read our Biblical Calendar Study for more details.
8. Conclusion: Yahushua and his disciples also kept the Exodus 12 Passover at the same time as the Pharisees and other Jews of that time. There were not two separate calendars as some people teach. Read our Biblical Calendar Study for more details.

Was Yahushua Put In The Tomb Exactly At Sunset?

No. Unequivocally no. Absolutely not. It’s certainly proven that Yahushua was not put in the tomb exactly at sunset. Examine Luke 23:50-55, Mark 15:42-47, and John 19:38-42. Yoseph of Ramathayim (Joseph of Arimathaea) was not sitting around trying to wait as long as he could, pushing it all the way until sunset. Even though touching a dead body would stop him from eating the Passover lamb or goat in the first Biblical month and require him to partake of it in the second month, Yoseph (Joseph) would still be required to be prepared to rest on the Annual Sabbath and keep it Holy (Set-Apart) starting at sunset on HaAviv 15 a few hours after Yahushua died and Yoseph would still need to observe the other things that were required for the feast, which would have meant he would still have wanted to get everything done before the Annual Sabbath and still have time to spare. That's why he was in a rush to act quickly - because time was limited and there were only a few hours before the Annual Sabbath would arrive. Also, after touching a dead body, and considering a Sabbath was near, it is likely Yoseph would have wanted to bathe before sunset as well after laying Yahushua in the Tomb. To think that Yoseph would wait until sunset to place him in the tomb is without Scriptural evidence. There is no Scriptural evidence to suggest he waited until sunset, and everything in Scriptures would suggest otherwise - that there is every reason to do it as quickly as possible. What if he still had leaven to remove or wanted to double-check all the leaven was gone and preparations complete one last time before the day of rest? Why would anyone want to push things as delayed as possible and wait until sunset? Nothing in that scenario would make sense.

It shows very clearly and undeniably in Luke 23:54 and John 19:42 that Yahushua was put in the tomb on the Preparation Day which is an annual day of preparing for the Passover meal and Feast of Unleavened Bread, finishing up on getting out all the leaven, etc.. In Mark 15:42 it also very clearly and undeniably teaches us that the Preparation Day was BEFORE the Annual Sabbath. That means that it is an undeniable fact that Yahushua was put in the tomb before sunset - before the day was ended. Since we know that Yahushua was put in the tomb before sunset, and not at sunset, then the time period between when he was put in the tomb and when sunset would come is counted as Day #1 in the three-day count of Matthew 12:40. Day #1 is the Preparation Day which is HaAviv 14. You can't just not count that as a day - it does most certainly count.

Therefore, according to Luke 23:50-55, Mark 15:42-47, and John 19:38-42, Day #1 of Matthew 12:40 is the Preparation Day of HaAviv 14. Night #1 is HaAviv 15. Day #2 is HaAviv 15. Night #2 is HaAviv 16. Day #3 is HaAviv 16. Night #3 is HaAviv 17. You can't add another day because it's only three days and three nights according to Matthew 12:40, not four days and three nights; so you can't add a fourth day in there and try to say he was resurrected at sunset. Even if you tried going a full 72 hours from the time he was put in the tomb, you still aren't going to arrive at a "sunset" resurrection because that's not the time of day exactly that he was put in - it was before that - and probably by a few hours. Yahushua definitely was not put in exactly at sunset which proves also he was not resurrected at sunset, and if you go beyond the Night #3 then you are adding Day #4 and there is no Day #4 - it was only three days and three nights. From both angles - from looking at the time he was put in the tomb, and looking at the time of his resurrection, from both of those perspectives the Scriptures easily disprove the 72-hour theory. Therefore, a fifth day of the week impalement and a first day of the week resurrection is the only viable possibility.

Furthermore, Luke 23:50-55, Mark 15:42-47, and John 19:38-42 proves a DAY TIME when there is still plenty of light out as the time of the day that Yahushua was put in the tomb. Why would guards be asleep during the day? Someone explain that to me? Obviously the time of day he was put in the tomb was not the time of day he was resurrected, and that fact alone completely disproves the 72-hour theory.

Yahushua was not put in the tomb exactly at sunset which completely disproves the idea of a sunset resurrection also. Case closed.

The Resurrection of Christ In 30 AD

To support our summary findings, below is an illustration to aid students of the Bible in understanding the events of 30 AD, when our Savior and King gave His life for us. The below illustration shows the following events color coded to match the picture below:

1. In 30 AD, the Preparation Day, which is the 14th of the 1st Biblical Month HaAviv, was on the 5th day of the week. The corresponding Roman Date was the 4th Roman Month, the 6th Roman Day, in the year 30 AD (also written as 30y 04m 06d, or written in the USA as 4/6/30). This day has the Julian Day Number 1,732,111. You can verify the day of the week and the Julian Day Number by visiting this link and changing the month to the 4th Roman Month, the day of the month to the 6th Roman Day of the Month, the year to 30 A.D., and clicking outside the year box to see the day of the week and Julian Day Number change. On this morning, Yahushua was being abused and mistreated, and handed over to Pontius Pilate. After also being questioned by Herodes Antipatros (Herod Antipater) but giving him no answer, Yahushua was given back over to Pilate that morning and impaled (or as some say, crucified). This is also the day that the Exodus 12 Passover Lamb or Goat was sacrificed. The people would take their lambs or goats to the Temple. After the people or the Levites or priests killed the sacrifice (zevach - Strong's # H2077 - Exodus 12:27), priests would put the blood of all sacrifices (zevach - Strong's # H2077) on the altar in accordance with this requirement which applied to all sacrifices based on Deuteronomy 12:27. At some point in this whole process, the Passover animal and some of the blood would be taken home with them to put on the doorposts and lintels because that was a law to be kept forever (Exodus 12:22-24). At the time that the Passover was being sacrificed in the afternoon at the Temple, that's when Yahushua died at the ninth hour of the day. He suffered horrendously on this day because of our wickedness, so that we can have forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to our Creator. After Yahushua died, Yoseph of Ramathayim (Joseph of Arimathaea) rushed to get Yahushua down from the stake/cross and put him in the tomb while there was still daylight left before the day had ended (Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-55, John 19:38-42). It would be later that night that the disciples would eat the unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12:8) and remember all the suffering they had seen Him go through and reflect on all that had happened in somberness.
2. In 30 AD, the 15th Day of the 1st Biblical Month was on the 6th day of the week. This was the day of the Annual Sabbath rest of the 1st Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread mentioned in Leviticus 23:6-7, Exodus 12:16, and many other places. It was on this day that the Pharisees, in what seems to be a violation of the Holy Day, came to Pilate in Matthew 27:62-66. They just couldn't wait and even though it was an Annual Sabbath Holy Day they felt determined to set the guards to watch the tomb starting on this day. They probably forgot to do this the night before, having felt satisfied that they got what they had wanted, or perhaps not concerned about it the night before since Exodus 12 commands everyone to stay inside all night until the morning anyhow (Exodus 12:22). In any event, the disciples of Christ rested on this Annual Sabbath Day in addition to the weekly Sabbath the next day (mentioned below this paragraph) according to Mark 15:42 and Luke 23:54-56. This would have been the day to have the Holy Convocation (Set-Apart Gathering, Miqra Qodesh) mentioned in Exodus 12:16 and Leviticus 23:7. This would have been a Holy gathering that the disciples of Christ attended once a year on the 15th day of the first Biblical Month to hear the Scriptures being read, discuss them, pray, praise, worship (bow), fellowship, etc..
3. In 30 AD, the 16th Day of the 1st Biblical Month was on the 7th day of the week. This was the day of the Weekly Sabbath mentioned in the Ten Commandments (Ten of The Words) in Exodus 20:8-11 that the disciples observed which also would have had a Holy Convocation (Set-Apart Gathering, Miqra Qodesh) for Scriptures reading, discussion, etc.. Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1, and John 20:1 show that the disciples waited until after the weekly Sabbath on the morning of the 1st Day of the Week to visit the tomb because they were all Sabbath keepers!
4. In 30 AD, the 17th Day of the 1st Biblical Month was on the 1st day of the week. This was the day of the resurrection of Christ! Yahushua HaMashiach, the Anointed, the Messiah (Christ) rose from the dead sometime in the morning while it was still dark before the sun had risen according to Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20. Yahushua said to Miryam in John 20:17 that she should not touch him yet! The reason why was probably because he probably needed to first go up into Heaven to Yahweh and present himself as the first fruits! This is what is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 and is what the priest waving the sheaf is a shadow of in Leviticus 23:10-11. In Leviticus 23:11, it says the "morrow after the Sabbath". Joshua 5:11 shows they ate parched grain on the 15th that year showing that the wave sheaf of Leviticus 23:11 is the morrow after the weekly Sabbath. In Joshua 5:11, the weekly Sabbath of Leviticus 23:11 was on the 14th and the first fruits when the priest waved the sheaf and they could eat the parched grain was on the 15th, but in 30 AD, the weekly Sabbath of Leviticus 23:11 was on the 16th, which made the "morrow after the Sabbath" in 30 AD the 17th of the first Biblical Month HaAviv! In both cases, the day of the first fruits both literally, physically, and spiritually are shown to be on the first day of the week each time!

Matthew 12:40 Illustration

To support our summary findings, below is an illustration to aid students of the Bible in understanding the three days and three nights of Matthew 12:40: For as Yonah (Jonas) was three days and three nights in the whale's belly (or stomach of the great fish); so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The below diagram illustrates the following:

• According to Luke 23:50-55, Mark 15:42-47, and John 19:38-42, Yahushua was put in the Tomb on the Annual Preparation Day before the Annual Sabbath. The Preparation Day on the 14th of HaAviv must be counted as Day #1 of Matthew 12:40.
• Night #1 of Matthew 12:40 was the Annual Sabbath on the 15th of HaAviv.
• Day #2 of Matthew 12:40 was the Annual Sabbath on the 15th of HaAviv.
• Night #2 of Matthew 12:40 was the Weekly Sabbath on the 16th of HaAviv.
• Day #3 of Matthew 12:40 was the Weekly Sabbath on the 16th of HaAviv.
• Night #3 of Matthew 12:40 was the first day of the week on the 17th of HaAviv.

Don't Forget About Luke 24

To support our summary findings, below is an illustration to aid students of the Bible in understanding the following:

1. Luke 24:21 says "today is the third day since these matters took place". The phrase "these matters" (KJV: "these things") refers to the impalement or crucifixion and other events mentioned in Luke 24:20.
2. The impalement or crucifixion happened on the Annual Preparation Day on the 14th of HaAviv. The Annual Preparation Day is the day when we must make sure all the leaven is out, do any cleansing required, and get the bitter herbs or other things needed to be prepared before the Passover meal and Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was also the day to prepare for the Annual Sabbath which falls on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (later that night and the next day on the 15th). The 14th of HaAviv is also when the Passover Lambs or Goats of Exodus 12 are sacrificed along with other things related to Exodus 12 and commandments later given related to all sacrifices.
3. The first day since the 14th is the 15th.
4. The second day since the 14th is the 16th.
5. The third day since the 14th is the 17th. On the 17th of HaAviv in 30 AD, this fell on the 1st day of the week when, in Luke 24, they went on a 7 mile journey according to Luke 24:13. While on this journey, they said in Luke 24:20-21 that TODAY was the third day since the impalement and other events had taken place. This is further evidence that locks in the resurrection to the first day of the week, and the impalement or crucifixion to the fifth day of the week. Then, in Luke 24:33, they did the 7 mile journey AGAIN a second time in the same day! We know that the seven mile journey was done a second time in the same day because Luke 24:36 ties to John 20:19 which tells us that it was still the first day of the week when Yahushua appeared to them that evening. When Yahushua appeared in John 20:19 and Luke 24:36, this was after they got back from doing the journey a second time (14 Miles+). They would not have been walking seven miles, let alone fourteen miles, on a Sabbath. This was, no doubt, definitely not a weekly Sabbath. This lines up with Scriptures and supports further a first day of the week resurrection.

Is There Evidence The Sabbath After Yahushua Died Was Special?

Yes. John 19:31 says, "Therefore, since it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the stake on the Sabbath - for that Sabbath was a high one - the Yehudim asked Pilate to have their legs broken, and that they be taken away." The KJV says "that Sabbath day was an high day". The reason the Scriptures tell us this is because this Sabbath after Yahushua died was not a regular "weekly" Sabbath - it was a once-a-year Annual Sabbath for the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This helps to prove that there were two Sabbaths within the "three days and three nights" of Matthew 12:40 - the Annual Sabbath (commonly called a "High Day" because of the KJV translation), and the Weekly Sabbath.

Last 10 Days of Messiah Yahushua's Life (Video & Documents)

The views expressed in the below video are brother Bill's and may not exactly represent all the views of WYLH.org, but even if we don't view every single detail the exact same I think it's important to hear what he has to share and consider these things in our studies. We agree with the video's main presenter that the Messiah Yahushua died on the fifth day of the week in the year 30 A.D. and resurrected on the first day of the week.