The Day of the Lord’s Death and the Day of the Lord’s Resurrection

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The Day of the Lord’s Death
and the Day of the Lord’s Resurrection

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All the Bible verses quoted in this article are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

For the first 200 years of Church history, before paganism infiltrated and led to the formation of Catholicism [1] with all its erroneous doctrines, the Church did not commemorate the birth, passion, or resurrection of the Lord. The Church only knew and practiced two rites commanded by the Lord Himself: the Breaking of Bread, or the Holy Communion, to remember the Lord, and Baptism, for new believers to publicly profess their faith and join the Church [2].

In 325, through the first council at Nicaea, the Catholic Denomination issued a decree for the entire denomination to commemorate the Lord’s passion on Friday and to commemorate the Lord’s resurrection on the Sunday immediately following the vernal equinox (the first day of spring) [3]. In 787, the Catholic Church officially approved the worship of icons through the seventh council, also held at Nicaea [4]. In 869, after the Council of Constantinople, the Catholic Church was divided into two factions: the Western faction retained the name Catholic, also known as Roman Catholic, and the Eastern faction adopted the name Orthodox, also known as Eastern Orthodox [5].

Reform movements arising within Roman Catholicism led to the formation of the Protestant Denominations. Subsequently, reform movements within the Protestant Denominations led to the formation of the Reformed Denominations. By the 18th century, the Evangelical Denominations were formed by those who left the Reformed Denominations. Although the Protestant, Reformed, and Evangelical Denominations brought significant changes in doctrine, religious practices, and church organization compared to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, these denominations still maintained Christmas to commemorate the Lord’s birth, Good Friday to commemorate the Lord’s passion, Easter to commemorate the Lord’s resurrection, and the tradition of worshiping the Lord on Sunday, rejecting the observance of the Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) as commanded by God. Notably, some Evangelical pastors in recent years have integrated additional observances such as Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Lent, and Advent from Roman Catholicism into their denominations.

In this article, we present some data extracted from the Holy Scriptures, cross-referenced with historical records, to determine the day of the Lord’s death and the day of His resurrection. We hope this article will help the true followers of the Lord avoid being led by ddenominational traditions into worshiping the Lord in spirit but not in truth (John 4:23-24).

The Passover

The Holy Scriptures record how God established the Passover and instructed the Israelites on how to observe it as follows: Exodus 12:1-14:

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,

2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:

4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.

5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.

9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.

12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.

13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Thus, we see that the Passover begins after sunset on the 13th of Nisan and lasts until sunset on the 14th of Nisan (including both the evening and the morning as one day). The Passover lamb is killed after sunset on the 13th, at the start of the 14th of Nisan, and eaten that night, with none left over until the morning of the 14th of Nisan.

According to historical records, the Israelites left Egypt in 1446 B.C. on the Julian calendar, which corresponds to the year 2315 on the Hebrew calendar [6]. According to the Holy Scriptures, the Israelites observed the Passover for the first time in Egypt on the 14th of Nisan and departed from Egypt on the 15th of Nisan. Using a Hebrew to Julian calendar conversion tool, we find that the 14th of Nisan in the year 2315 on the Hebrew calendar corresponds to Wednesday, March 25, 1446 B.C. on the Julian Calendar.

Two Sabbaths in One Week

The Holy Scriptures record in considerable detail the final week of the Lord Jesus Christ before He died on the cross. There are two important details that we need to pay attention to:

1. From the time of the Lord’s death until His resurrection, there are two Sabbaths: the high Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the regular weekly Sabbath. In the original text of the Holy Scriptures, Matthew 28:1 confirms that the period from the Lord’s death to His resurrection includes “multiple” Sabbaths, as Matthew uses the plural form of the noun Sabbath in this verse:

Literal Translation of the Holy Bible: “But late in the Sabbaths, at the dawning into the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary came to gaze upon the grave.”

1898 Young’s Literal Translation: “And on the eve of the Sabbaths, at the dawn, toward the first of the sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre,”

Textus Receptus Greek New Testament w/ Strong’s Numbers: “οψεG3796 ADV δεG1161 CONJ σαββατωνG4521 N-GPN τηG3588 T-DSF επιφωσκουσηG2020 V-PAP-DSF ειςG1519 PREP μιανG1520 A-ASF σαββατωνG4521 N-GPN ηλθενG2064 V-2AAI-3S μαριαG3137 N-NSF ηG3588 T-NSF μαγδαληνηG3094 N-NSF καιG2532 CONJ ηG3588 T-NSF αλληG243 A-NSF μαριαG3137 N-NSF θεωρησαιG2334 V-AAN τονG3588 T-ASM ταφονG5028 N-ASM”

“οψεG3796 ADV (long after) δεG1161 CONJ (and/but/moreover/now/then) σαββατωνG4521 N-GPN (of Sabbaths) τηG3588 T-DSF (the) επιφωσκουσηG2020 V-PAP-DSF (dawning) ειςG1519 PREP (into/toward) μιανG1520 A-ASF (one) σαββατωνG4521 N-GPN (of Sabbaths) ηλθενG2064 V-2AAI-3S (she came) μαριαG3137 N-NSF (Mari) ηG3588 T-NSF (the) μαγδαληνηG3094 N-NSF (Magdalene) καιG2532 CONJ (and) ηG3588 T-NSF (the) αλληG243 A-NSF (other) μαριαG3137 N-NSF (Mari) θεωρησαιG2334 V-AAN (to see) τονG3588 T-ASM (the) ταφονG5028 N-ASM (sepulchre)”

Literally translated into English: “Then, later of the Sabbaths, [as it was] dawning toward one of the Sabbaths, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.”

The meaning is: After the two Sabbaths (the Sabbath on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the weekly Sabbath), it began to dawn toward one of the Sabbaths, which was the weekly Sabbath, turning into the early morning of the first day after the Sabbath. At that time, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Meanwhile, John 19:31 indicates that the Sabbath immediately following the Lord’s crucifixion was a great Sabbath:

Literal Translation of the Holy Bible: “Then, since it was Preparation, that the bodies not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for great was the day of that Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and they be taken away.“

1898 Young’s Literal Translation: “The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that Sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away.”

The Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which falls on the 15th of Nisan and immediately follows the Passover, is referred to as a high or great Sabbath. This day is both the first annual Sabbath and the beginning of the seven-day festival, where both the first and the last days are specifically set apart as Sabbaths, requiring the people of God to cease from labor and participate in holy gatherings.

Thus, from the details in the Scriptures, we know that from the time of the Lord’s death until His resurrection, there were two Sabbaths: a high or great Sabbath, which was the Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and a regular Sabbath on the following Saturday.

2. The Lord did not resurrect on the morning of the first day of the week, i.e., Sunday, as taught by the Christian denominations. The Lord rose at the end of the Sabbath, just before the start of the first day (Sunday). Then, early on the first day, the Lord appeared first to Mary Magdalene.

Mark 16:9 is a verse that leads many to misunderstand that the Lord rose on the first day of the week. Please compare this verse through the English translations and in the Greek below:

King James Version: “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”

Literal Translation of the Holy Bible: “And having risen early on the first of the sabbath, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.”

1898 Young’s Literal Translation: “And He, having risen in the morning of the first of the sabbaths, did appear first to Mary the Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons;”

Textus Receptus Greek New Testament w/ Strong’s Numbers: “ανασταςG450 V-2AAP-NSM δεG1161 CONJ πρωιG4404 ADV πρωτηG4413 A-DSF-S σαββατουG4521 N-GSN εφανηG5316 V-2API-3S πρωτονG4412 ADV-S μαριαG3137 N-DSF τηG3588 T-DSF μαγδαληνηG3094 N-DSF αφG575 PREP ηςG3739 R-GSF εκβεβληκειG1544 V-LAI-3S επταG2033 A-NUI δαιμονιαG1140 N-APN ”

The original Greek of the Holy Scriptures does not have punctuation marks like modern languages, but based on grammar, we can understand and translate Mark 16:9 correctly:

“ανασταςG450 V-2AAP-NSM (he was risen) δεG1161 CONJ (and/but/moreover/now/then) πρωιG4404 ADV (early) πρωτηG4413 A-DSF-S (first) σαββατουG4521 N-GSN (of sabbath) εφανηG5316 V-2API-3S (he appeared) πρωτονG4412 ADV-S (firstly) μαριαG3137 N-DSF (Mary) τηG3588 T-DSF (the) μαγδαληνηG3094 N-DSF (Magdalene) αφG575 PREP (out) ηςG3739 R-GSF (of whom) εκβεβληκειG1544 V-LAI-3S (he had cast) επταG2033 A-NUI (seven) δαιμονιαG1140 N-APN (devils)“

Literally translated into English: “Then, having risen early on the first Sabbath, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.”

In this context, the “first Sabbath” refers to the first weekly Sabbath of the 50 weekly Sabbaths counted after the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, leading up to Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-16).

There is a fact we need to know. The word “σάββατον” (sabbaton) /sab’-bat-on/ (G4521) in the original Greek of the Holy Scriptures simply means “rest” or “day of rest,” commonly transliterated as “Sabbath.” However, many English Bible translations have rendered it as “week” in certain places. The Greek language has the noun “εβδομάδες” to refer to “weeks,” as used in Daniel 9:24, and “εβδομάδος” to refer to “a week,” as used in Daniel 9:27 of the Septuagint. The New Testament in the original Greek does not contain the word “week” or “weeks.” The decision by some English Bible translations to render “σάββατον” as “week” is based on the translators’ interpretation.

The Sequence of Events During the Week of the Lord’s Death and Resurrection

Note: A day according to the Jewish Calendar begins after sunset of the previous day and lasts until sunset of the current day as recorded on the calendar.

Friday, the 9th of Nisan: The Lord Jesus Christ returned to Bethany and attended a meal at the house of Lazarus. There, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed the Lord’s feet with perfume (John 12:1). We need to note this detail: While Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded the Passover event according to the correct timing, the Apostle John recorded the Passover event according to the Pharisaic timing, which is one day later than the correct date. In other words, Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded the tradition of the Word of God, while the Apostle John recorded the tradition of the Jews. This shows us that the Jews did not accurately observe the days of the Lord’s festivals, except for the weekly Sabbath. Therefore, the phrase “six days before Passover” in John 12:1 should actually be understood as referring to only five days. Passover falls on the 14th of Nisan, so five days before Passover would be the 9th of Nisan.

Saturday, the 10th of Nisan: The Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem as the Lamb of God, the True Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), examined for its purity on the 10th and to be sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan (Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12, compared with Exodus 12:3-5). The event of the people proclaiming the Lord as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on the 10th of Nisan demonstrated that He was the blemish-free, acceptable sacrifice for the atonement of the entire world.

In the evening, He returned to Bethany and stayed there overnight (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11).

Sunday, the 11th of Nisan: Three days before Passover, in the morning, the Lord Jesus Christ returned from Bethany to Jerusalem. He was hungry and saw a fig tree without fruit, so He cursed the fig tree, and it withered (Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14). Next, He went into the Temple and taught. He did the following:

1. He cleansed the Temple for the second time (Matthew 21:12-16; Mark 11:15-18). He began His ministry of preaching the Gospel by cleansing the Temple and ended it in the same manner.

2. He answered questions about His authority (Matthew 21:23-27).

3. He spoke the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32).

4. He spoke the parable of the vineyard (Matthew 21:33-46).

5. He spoke the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14).

6. He answered questions about paying taxes (Matthew 22:15-22).

7. He answered questions about the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33).

8. He summarized the Law (Matthew 22:34-40).

9. He questioned the Pharisees about the relationship between Christ and King David (Matthew 22:41-46).

10. He exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and reproached them publicly (Matthew 23:1-39).

11. He prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, signs of His coming, and the end of the age (Matthew 24:1-42).

12. He spoke the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:43-51).

13. He spoke the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).

14. He spoke the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).

15. He prophesied the judgment of the world at the end of the age (Matthew 25:31-46).

16. In the evening, He went to the Mount of Olives and stayed there overnight (Luke 21:37).

Below is a list of events that occurred during the last seven days, from when Judas plotted to betray the Lord until the Lord resurrected and appeared to the disciples for the first time.

Monday, the 12th of Nisan: Two days before the Passover, from sunset on the 11th until sunset on the 12th.

1. Satan entered Judas Iscariot, causing him to plot with the chief priests to betray the Lord to them (Matthew 26:1-5; Mark 14:1; Luke 22:1-6).

2. In the evening, the Lord returned to the village of Bethany and had dinner at Simon’s house (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-49).

3. At Simon’s house, the Lord was anointed by a woman for His burial (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-49). This event is different from the earlier event on the 9th of Nisan when Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anointed the Lord at Lazarus’s house, preparing Him to enter the Temple the next day as the Passover Lamb of God, as recorded in John 12:1-8.

Tuesday, the 13th of Nisan: One day before Passover, from sunset on the 12th until sunset on the 13th.

4. The Lord sent Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:7-13).

Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan: The Passover, from sunset on the 13th until sunset on the 14th. The Lord observed Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper.

5. The Lord and the disciples partook of the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23; see also John 13-17).

6. The Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-23).

7. The Lord was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-51; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-11).

8. The Lord was tried before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious court (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27).

9. The Lord was tried before Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1, 11-31; Mark 15:1-20; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16).

10. The Lord was tried before Herod, the Jewish king (Luke 23:8-12).

11. The Lord was condemned by His people (Matthew 27:22-23; Mark 15:13-14; Luke 23:18-23; John 18:39-40; 19:6-7, 12-16).

12. The Lord was flogged and handed over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified (Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:15-20).

13. The Lord was crucified at Golgotha and died around 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:32-50; Mark 15:21-37; Luke 23:26-46; John 19:17-37).

14. Around 4 or 5 p.m., the Lord was buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42).

Thursday, the 15th of Nisan: The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, from sunset on the 14th until sunset on the 15th. The Lord’s body was in the tomb for a full night and day. The first day after the Lord’s death.

15. One night the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from before sunset on the 14th until sunrise on the 15th).

16. One day the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from sunrise on the 15th until sunset on the 15th).

17. The first day after the Lord’s death and burial (from before sunset on the 14th until sunset on the 15th).

Friday, the 16th of Nisan: The Feast of Firstfruits, from sunset on the 15th until sunset on the 16th. The Lord’s body was in the tomb for two full nights and two days. The second day after the Lord’s death.

18. Two nights the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from before sunset on the 15th until sunrise on the 16th).

19. Two days the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from sunrise on the 16th until sunset on the 16th).

20. The second day after the Lord’s death and burial (from before sunset on the 15th until sunset on the 16th).

Saturday, the 17th of Nisan: The Weekly Sabbath, from before sunset on the 16th until sunset on the 17th. The Lord’s body was in the tomb for three full nights and three days. The third day after the Lord’s death. The Lord rose from the dead at the end of the third day after His death.

21. Three nights the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from before sunset on the 16th until sunrise on the 17th).

22. Three days the Lord’s body was in the tomb (from sunrise on the 17th until sunset on the 17th).

23. The third day after the Lord’s death and burial (from before sunset on the 16th until just before sunset on the 17th).

Before sunset on the 17th, around 4 to 5 PM, the Lord had been in the earth for exactly three days and three nights, fulfilling His own prophecy: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” [Jonah 1:17] (Matthew 12:40).

24. The Lord rose on the third day, before sunset on the 17th, fulfilling the Scripture:

“From that time, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21)

“They will kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again. And the disciples were exceedingly sorrowful.” (Matthew 17:23)

“They will deliver Him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:19)

“For He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon; they will scourge Him and kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” (Luke 18:32-33)

“That He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:4)

(Matthew 28:1-6; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10).

Sunday, the 18th of Nisan: The first day of the week, from sunset on the 17th to sunset on the 18th. The Lord appears to the disciples and gives them new life, symbolizing the rebirth of the Church in the Lord Jesus Christ.

25. Early in the morning, after sunrise, the Lord appears to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18). The Lord does not allow Mary Magdalene to touch Him because He has not yet ascended to the Father.

26. The Lord ascends to the Father, to heaven, to the third heaven.

27. Next, the Lord appears to Mary Magdalene and another Mary (Matthew 28:1, 9). This time, the Lord allows them to hold His feet and worship Him, proving that He has returned to the Father and come back.

28. The guards at the Lord’s tomb go into Jerusalem and report to the chief priests about the earthquake, the open tomb, and that the Lord’s body is not in the tomb (Matthew 28:11-15).

29. The Lord appears to two disciples on their way from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-32).

30. The Lord appears to Peter during the day (Luke 24:33-34).

31. In the evening, before sunset, the Lord appears to the disciples for the first time, without the Apostle Thomas present (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23).

32. The Lord breathes on the disciples and gives them His Holy Spirit of life. This event signifies the rebirth of the Church in the Lord Jesus Christ: “When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22, cf. Genesis 2:7).

The Year of the Lord’s Death and Resurrection

To determine the year of the Lord’s death, we need to rely on certain details from the Scriptures and cross-reference them with historical details. The Scriptures inform us that the Lord was crucified during the governorship of Pontius Pilate, who ruled from 26 to 36 AD according to the Julian calendar [7]. Therefore, we need to find out which year within these 11 years had Passover falling on a Wednesday.

The year 26 AD in the Julian Calendar corresponds to the year 3786 in the Jewish calendar. By using calendar conversion tools, we can start to search for the 14th of Nisan in the year 3786. There are various calendar conversion tools available online; we chose to use the tool on the website http://www.abdicate.net/cal.aspx, created by Bill Bennett. We contacted Bill Bennett, and he confirmed that the dates listed on the calendar begin from the evening of the previous day and end at sunset of the listed day. Below is the list of Passover dates from the year 26 to 36 AD in the Julian Calendar:

  • Year 26: Passover fell on Friday, the 14th of Nisan, 3786.

  • Year 27: Passover fell on Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan, 3787.

  • Year 28: Passover fell on Monday, the 14th of Nisan, 3788.

  • Year 29: Passover fell on Saturday, the 14th of Nisan, 3789.

  • Year 30: Passover fell on Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan, 3790.

  • Year 31: Passover fell on Monday, the 14th of Nisan, 3791.

  • Year 32: Passover fell on Monday, the 14th of Nisan, 3792.

  • Year 33: Passover fell on Friday, the 14th of Nisan, 3793.

  • Year 34: Passover fell on Monday, the 14th of Nisan, 3794.

  • Year 35: Passover fell on Monday, the 14th of Nisan, 3795.

  • Year 36: Passover fell on Friday, the 14th of Nisan, 3796.

Thus, the years 27 and 30 are the two years in which Passover fell on Wednesday. From these results, we continue to use other details from the Scriptures and historical records to determine whether the Lord died in the year 27 or 30.

Luke 3:1-3 reads:

“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the regions of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…”

According to historical records, Tiberius Caesar co-ruled with Augustus Caesar from the year 10. Thus, the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign corresponds to the year 25, which is the year John the Baptist began his ministry and also the year the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized before Passover to begin His ministry as the Christ (the anointed one, filled with the Holy Spirit to serve as prophet, priest, and king).

Thus, the Lord Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist before the Passover of the year 25, which is the Passover during which He entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple for the first time, as mentioned in John 2:13. The Passover of the year 26 is referenced in John 6:4. The Passover of the year 27, which is the Passover during which Jesus entered Jerusalem and cleansed the Temple for the second time, after which He was arrested and killed, is mentioned in John 12:1 and 13:1.

Conclusion: The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan, in the year 3787 according to the Jewish Calendar, corresponding to Wednesday, April 9, 27 in the Julian Calendar, around 3 PM, and His body was buried before sunset.

Another detail: Matthew 2:16 tells us that King Herod, relying on the report from the Magi, ordered the massacre of all boys two years old and under in Bethlehem and its surrounding regions. It is likely that King Herod believed that Jesus was born around the time the Magi saw the star in the east, which means before they arrived in Jerusalem, approximately two years later. It is very possible that the time from when the Magi saw the star to their arrival in Jerusalem was around one year, but Herod, wanting to be absolutely certain not to miss any potential candidate, ordered the massacre of all boys two years old and under instead of one year old and under.

History indicates that King Herod died around the middle of March 13, 4 BC, which was a day of a lunar eclipse visible over Jerusalem, and of April 11, 4 BC, which was the Passover of that year. The Jewish historian Josephus records events occurring during this period and notes that Herod died after the eclipse but before the Passover [9]. Thus, Jesus must have been born about three years before Herod’s death, around 7 BC, and He would have been born before October 15 of the Julian Calendar, which marks the start of the rainy season when shepherds could not keep their flocks in the fields. If Jesus was born on October 15, Tishrei 1, 3755 Jewish Calendar, corresponding to October 8, 7 BC Julian Calendar, then Jesus would have been just under 30 years old when He was baptized to begin His ministry before Passover in 3785 Jewish Calendar, or AD 25 Julian Calendar, consistent with Luke 3:23: “Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age…”

Jesus was baptized before Passover on the 14th of Nisan (January), while He would not turn 30 years old until the 15th of Tishrei (July), during the Feast of Tabernacles. Please refer to the article “The Day Jesus Was Born” [9].

The Controversy Between the Lord Jesus’ Observance of Passover and That of the Pharisees

The Day of Passover is also the first day that the Jewish people eat unleavened bread, although the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is actually the following day, the 15th of Nisan. The first day of eating unleavened bread is the 14th of Nisan, which is different from the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is the 15th of Nisan.

In Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; and Luke 22:7, it is clearly stated that on the day of Passover (the day when the Passover lamb is killed), the Lord Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover meal.

John 13:1 indicates that the meal the Lord Jesus established as the Lord’s Supper took place “before the Feast of Passover.” John 18:1 reveals that the Lord Jesus was arrested that night.

John 18:28 indicates that the next morning was still not the Feast of Passover, because the Pharisees brought Jesus before Pilate but did not enter the governor’s headquarters, fearing they would be defiled and unable to partake in the Passover, which would begin after sunset that day.

The question arises: Could it be that either Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recorded the date of the Passover incorrectly, or that John recorded it incorrectly? If John is correct, then how could the Lord Jesus and the disciples have celebrated and eaten the Passover on a day that was not the Passover?

When we return to the origins of Passover as recorded in Exodus 12, we find that God instructed Moses with the following details:

  • God ordained the month of Nisan as the beginning of the year for the Israelites (and thus, the day God spoke to Moses became the first day of that month): “This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of the year for you.” (Exodus 12:2).

  • On the 10th day, select a lamb: “Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they are to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.” (Exodus 12:3).

  • On the 14th day, slaughter the lamb in the evening (the evening of the 14th begins immediately after sunset on the 13th): “You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight.” (Exodus 12:6).

  • On the night of the 14th, the Israelites eat the roasted lamb with unleavened bread (the night of the 14th is from after sunset on the 13th until dawn on the 14th): “That night they shall eat the meat roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.” (Exodus 12:8).

  • This day, the 14th of Nisan, is to be commemorated as an eternal ordinance: “This day shall be a memorial for you, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord. Throughout your generations, you shall observe it as a statute forever.” (Exodus 12:14).

It is important to note that according to the Biblical method of counting, “And there was evening and there was morning; the first day…” (Genesis 1), the period immediately following sunset on the 13th marks the beginning of the 14th day and is referred to as the “evening” of the 14th; the period immediately following sunset on the 14th marks the beginning of the 15th day and is referred to as the “evening” of the 15th. Thus, the Lord Jesus observed the correct day for Passover, while the Pharisees observed it incorrectly.

The Pharisees, a class that arose during the 400 years of God’s silence with the Israelites, established many erroneous laws contrary to God’s commandments and laws [10], including incorrect observance of Passover and other festivals of God. They slaughtered the Passover lamb at mid-afternoon on the 14th and ate it after sunset, which marked the end of the 14th day and the beginning of the evening of the 15th. In contrast, the Bible teaches that the lamb should be slaughtered at twilight on the 14th, which is after sunset on the 13th, and eaten before dawn on the 14th. Additionally, they drank wine, which is leavened, during Passover. This mistaken tradition of Passover continues to this day [11].

Thus, the Apostle John recorded the Pharisees’ manner of naming and observing Passover, while Matthew, Mark, and Luke recorded the manner of naming and observing Passover practiced by the Lord Jesus.

Some Reflections on the Day of Passover

  • The lamb of the first Passover was killed on a Wednesday. The Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who takes away the sin of the world, was also killed on a Wednesday. In the week of creation, on the fourth day, the sun, moon, and stars were created to give light and to mark the seasons for the earth (Genesis 1:14-16). On the Wednesday of Passover, the Lord Jesus Christ shone the light of salvation for the entire world, as brilliantly as the light of the sun, dispelling the darkness of sin and death through His atoning death for all humanity.

  • Through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church of Christ can reflect His light of salvation, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. Since that Wednesday, through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, each individual disciple of Christ shines the light of His Gospel of Salvation to the world, like countless stars, by the light of the Lord Jesus Christ in each of their lives.

  • Together with the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church, each individual disciple of Christ illuminates the world with the light of God, helping the world distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, just as the sun, moon, and stars illuminate the earth and help the world differentiate day from night, seasons, and years. The light of God is His glory, the radiant display of His nature: love, holiness, and righteousness.

Conclusion

Through the organization and teachings of today’s Chritianity organizations that bear the Lord’s name, we can draw the following conclusion: Those religious organizations that claim to be Christian have spread many doctrines that contradict the Bible, thereby diminishing the profound meanings of God’s Word. They also lead God’s people to worship not according to the truth, which is according to God’s Word. However, we also recognize that the true Church of Christ is not these Christianity denominations or religious organizations, such as “churches,” “theological schools,” “Bible schools,” and “seminaries,” but within these denominations and organizations, there are still genuine children of God.

The Bible teaches that true children of God need to read, hear, meditate on God’s Word, and carefully follow it (Joshua 1:8; Revelation 1:3). Therefore, we should wholeheartedly search the Scriptures to verify the teachings of those who claim to be servants of God (Acts 17:11). True children of God worship Him in spirit and in the truth of His Word (John 4:23-24; 17:17). God’s people do not worship Him according to the traditions of denominations and organizations that are incorrect and contrary to the truth of His Word. God’s people do not mix worldly culture into their worship practices; they do not worship God in the manner that pagans worship their gods (Leviticus 18:3, 30; 20:23).

The “Good Friday” and “Easter Sunday” that Chritinanity denominations have commemorated in the Lord’s name for over 1,700 years are completely contrary to the truth as recorded in the Bible. Moreover, they have used the name of the pagan goddess Easter to name the day commemorating the Lord’s resurrection (see the article: “The Legend of Easter” [12]). True children of God should decisively abandon the organization of the “Good Friday,” “Easter Sunday,” “Christmas,” as well as “Ash Wednesday,” “Palm Sunday,” “Lent,” “Advent,” and other such “festivals.” Above all, God’s people should not call “Easter” the Resurrection Day or “Christmas” the Birth of Christ. See the article: “The Truth about Christmas” [13].

The Bible does not teach us to organize celebrations for the birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord. However, in the spirit, God’s people being free to do all things, as long as they are not useless, do not set a bad example, and do not go against the glory of God (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23, 31), we can organize such commemorations. However, we should not call the day commemorating the birth of Christ “Christmas” (Christmas means “Christ was killed”), not call the day commemorating the death of Christ “Good Friday” or “Good Friday,” and not call the day commemorating the resurrection of Christ by the name of the pagan goddess “Easter.”

We also do not celebrate the Lord’s birth in December, do not say the Lord was born on December 24, do not commemorate the Lord’s death on Friday, and do not celebrate the Lord’s resurrection on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox, according to Christianity traditions. We should commemorate the Lord’s birth during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Lord’s death during Passover, and the Lord’s resurrection on the third day after Passover. Additionally, we need to eliminate all pagan rituals and traditions from our celebrations, from using bunny-shaped candies, dyeing and hunting for eggs, displaying Christmas trees, hanging wreaths, making Yule log cakes, hanging stockings by the fireplace to receive gifts, dressing up as Santa Claus to give gifts to children, to not wishing each other: “Merry Christmas” (Happy Christ’s Death) and “Happy Easter” (Happy Goddess Easter’s Resurrection).

We pray for the Holy Spirit to help all true children of God who read this article to understand the truth and receive the power from the Holy Spirit to live and worship the God in spirit and in truth. Amen!

May the Lord forgive us for the sins we are unaware of, including the sin of worshipping the Lord not according to the truth. Amen!

Timothy Christian Huynh
07/31/2010
Edited for the fifth time and translated into English on 07/31/2024

Notes:

[1] Bruce L. Shelley. Church History In Plain Language, trang 94-97. Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1995.

In 312, Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity; in 313, he issued an edict of tolerance for Christianity, which led to the formation of Catholicism later on. Emperor Theodosius I (347-395) of the Eastern Roman Empire and Emperor Gratian (359-383) of the Western Roman Empire jointly issued an edict to make Christianity the state religion throughout the Roman Empire on February 27, 380.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Thessalonica

[2] The Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Easter”, 11th edition, pages 828-829.

[3] Philip Schaff. History of the Christian Church, volume 2, page 218. Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, 2006.

[4] Philip Schaff. History of the Christian Church, volume 4, pages 459-474. Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, 2006.

[5] Andrew Louth. Greek East and Latin West, trang 171. St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2007.

[6] https://biblearchaeology.org/research/exodus-from-egypt/2954-the-biblical-date-for-the-exodus-is-1446-bc-a-response-to-james-hoffmeier

[7] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pontius-Pilate

[8] http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14717b.htm

[9] https://preachingfromthebible.net/the-birth-date-of-the-lord-jesus/

[10] Flavius Josephus. Jewish Antiquities, 17.6.4.

[11] http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm

[12] https://preachingfromthebible.net/the-legend-of-easter/

[13] https://preachingfromthebible.net/the-truth-about-christmas/

We used Bill Bennett’s calendar conversion software: http://abdicate.net/cal.aspx