Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 4/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: It can be credibly illustrated that the Original Passover Lamb was slain on a Wednesday.  With Jesus stating that he fulfilled all things in the laws of Moses, why do Christians claim Jesus died on a Friday preparation day instead of a Wednesday preparation day?

The reason I ask is due to the very detailed study found at this link which seems to be the most complete study on this topic to date viewing all factors that one must consider to correctly determine these final events.

Does the information at this link speak according to the Laws and testimony (laws of Moses and spirit of Prophecy)? Does it give good evidence from History that Jesus was chosen by the people on the tenth day and then killed on the 14th day?  Does it illustrate within the realm of possibility that Jesus fulfilled 3 days and 3 nights in the manner that the scriptures define this duration of time?

http://www.thedeathandresurection.com/pdf/the%20death%20and%20resurrection.pdf

Very Respectfully,

Todd Vetter

ANSWER: Hi Todd,

--- It can be credibly illustrated that the Original Passover Lamb was slain on a Wednesday.  With Jesus stating that he fulfilled all things in the laws of Moses, why do Christians claim Jesus died on a Friday preparation day instead of a Wednesday preparation day?

Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan each year. The specific day of the week it occurred on in 1447 B.C.E. does not really matter. The year of Y'shua's sacrifice it occurred on a Thursday.

In his sacrifice Christians see a typography for Jesus in the Passover lamb. This does not require that every detail be the same. For instance Jesus died in Jerusalem not in Egypt. The day of the original passover lamb has no bearing on when or where Jesus was sacrificed. Likewise the Temple blood sacrifices can be said to foreshadow his own, however the Master died on Golgotha, a place where sacrifices, in the Temple context, would not be allowed. Still that sacrifice was accepted.

Christians maintain that Jesus died on a Friday because the New Testament specifically says that:

John 19:31 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 Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

The "preparation" references the preparations just before the Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday). So Friday before sunset (sunset Thursday to to sunset Friday).

And again:

Mark 15:42  And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath....

It was the preparation period for Shabbat, that would be Friday.

Here's the breakdown of that Friday

Friday 9-10 AM:
He was Impaled at "the third hour": Mark 15: 25
He prayed for his murderers: Luke 23:34
The soldiers cast Lots for his clothing: Mark 15:24
The Master is mocked by various people: Matthew 27:39-40, Mark 15:31, Luke 23:36-37, Luke 23:39

Around 11 AM
He promises to save the repentant thief: Luke 23:40-43
He tells John to care for his mother: John 19:26-27

Noon - The Sixth Hour
Darkness covered the land: Mark 15:33

Around 1 PM
Y'shua cries out: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?": Matthew 27:46

He asks for something to quench his thirst: John 19:28-29

2 p.m.

He cries out "It is accomplished!": John 19:30

3 p.m. - "The Ninth Hour"
The great earthquake shakes Golgotha and splits the temple curtain: Matthew 27:51-52
Many of the dead rise from their crypts and are seen walking the earth:  Matthew 27:51-52

The Centurion confesses: "Truly this was the Son of God!": Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47

The soldiers break the thieves' legs so they will not be on the starous during Shabbat, but find that Y'shua is already dead so his are not broken: John 19:31-33
The soldier pierces Y'shua's side: John 19:34

The Master's corpse is laid in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb: Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42

That linked site is 61 pages long. I did not read it all but it appears to be little more than "human reasoning" seeking to make ties where there are none. The Bible is completely clear. Jesus died on "Good Friday" and rose Sunday morning around sunrise.

Hope this helps,
~ John of AllFaith

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had asked two people from this website the same question and your answer does not agree with the answer I received from the other (Professional). So who is telling the truth according to the Law and the Testimony (spirit of Prophecy)?  See Below

Dear Todd,
  Thank you for writing.  I agree with your concern about "Good Friday."  
  I try to stay away from websites unless I know the source, so I don't know about the website you mention, but I've known and appreciated Dave Hunt's books and materials for years as being accurately Bible based.  This webpage from his website, www.thebereancall.org/node/1657 covers the details you mention, so you are right that Jesus did not die on Friday.  
  The Jewish concept of a day begins with an evening then a morning (see Genesis 1), starting at 6 pm our time.  The Bible mentions the third hour, sixth hour, etc. which start at 6 am our time.  I believe Romans kept time like us, which would be part of the setting of the crucifixion also.
  So it can be confusing, but the precise fulfillment of prophecy is breathtaking.  So also the precise, powerful, intricate clockwork manifested in so much of God's creation. Romans 1:19-20
  May this testimony remind us to entrust ourselves to Him more and more each day.
  Sincerely,
  Priscilla

ANSWER: Hi Todd,

Christianity is a very diverse religion. I also am a "professional" having served as an evangelist, a missionary, a pastor, a thrice ordained minister, a holder of an MA in religious studies etc. and have been studying the Bible and religion for 41 years and counting... Individual Christians simply disagree on many points of doctrine. I would not say that either of us is "not telling you the truth." We simply do not agree.

The Bible specifically says Jesus died on the Friday following the passover as I have shown:

John 19:31 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 Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

And again:

Mark 15:42  And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath....

It was Friday, the preparation period before Shabbat (which began at sunset on Friday).

He was in the grave for three days.
The resurrection occurred:

Mat 28:1  In the end of the sabbath [which ended at sunset Saturday night], as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week [i.e. around dawn on Sunday morning], came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre....

The name "Good Friday" is Church terminology but that it was a Friday is completely clear no matter what anyone says to the contrary.

The vast majority of Christians and Christian scholars agree today as they have for the past 2000 some odd years that on this point the Bible is abundantly clear.
Jesus died on Friday and rose on Sunday morning.
============================

There are two things that make me suspect I know the reason for this particular disagreement however.

1). In both of your questions to me you used the phrase "spirit of prophecy" which is often a "code word" used by the Seventh Day Adventists in defense of the teachings of Ellen White.
2). In her answer Priscilla inaccurately states that the day begins and ends at 6 PM. It does not, it begins and ends at sunset. To my knowledge only the Seventh Day Adventists teach this.

From a reliable Orthodox Jewish source:
Shabbat, like all Jewish days, begins at sunset, because in the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day." From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset. For the precise time when Shabbat begins and ends in your area, consult the list of candle lighting times provided by the Orthodox Union, by Chabad  or by any Jewish calendar. -- http://www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htm

Assuming therefore that this the case, be aware that the Seventh Day Adventists have several  teachings (especially regarding the prophecies) that every other Christian denomination rejects as not only non-biblical but anti-biblical.

Sunday (end of Shabbat - sunset Sunday):
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Monday (sunset Sunday - sunset Monday)
Y'shua clears the temple

Tuesday (sunset Monday - sunset Tuesday)
Y'shua' authority challenged in the temple
Y'shua teaches in stories and confronts the Jewish Leaders
Greeks ask to see Y'shua
The Olivet Discourse
Judas agrees to betray Y'shua

Wednesday (sunset Tuesday - sunset Wednesday)
The Bible does not say what Y'shua did on this day. He probably remained in Bethany with his disciples.

Thursday (sunset Wednesday - sunset Thursday)
The Last Supper (they honored Pasach: Passover)
Y'shua speaks to the disciples in the upper room
Y'shua struggles in Gethsemane
Y'shua is betrayed and arrested

Friday (sunset Thursday - sunset Friday)
Y'shua is tried by Jewish and Roman authorities and disowned by Peter
Y'shua is placed on the "stauros"

Shabbat (sunset Friday to sunset Shabbat)
Y'shua is in the tomb

Sunday (Shabbat - sunset Sunday)
The resurrection occurs as the sun was rising.

The reason these sorts of questions are being asked at this late hour is clear:

I Corinthians 15:17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Lucifer is doing everything he can to bring the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus into doubt. It happened and it happened exactly as the Bible said it did.

Hope this helps,
~ John of AllFaith

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: To have a disagreement is to have discord.  If neither of you are telling a lie, then is the bible telling a lie since it contains these two verses?

Proverbs 14:25
A true witnesses delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies.

Proverbs 6:19
A false witnesses who speaks lies, is one who sows discord among brethren.

dis·cord: (d s kôrd ) n.. 1. a. Lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things. b. Tension or strife resulting from a lack of agreement; dissension.

Both of your perceptions are built on the bible.  Why are your perceptions not in one accord if neither of you are telling a lie?

Answer
.... Or only one of us (or neither of us) is correct in our understandings but both are sincere in our efforts to explain this to you.

The Bible is true. Humans merely seek to understand it. Whenever humans are added into the mix there is uncertainty.

For instance, in the verses I cite below is this one: ...13:10  But when that which is perfect is come...

What is "that which is perfect?" I believe it is the thousand year Kingdom of God. Some believe it is the King James Bible, others say it is the gift of tongues and others something else...

The Bible makes us think, to reason (Isa 1:18).

There's a wonderful old Jewish proverb that says, Ask four rabbis a question and get five answers. The same can be said of Christians. Virtually every point of doctrine is debated within the Church which is why there are so many denominations and viewpoints.

Once Moshiach returns and establishes the Kingdom all will be revealed. Until then, as Apostle Paul says:

I Corinthians 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

No human has all the answers. We are all seeking.
And this is a good thing. Otherwise we would lose our freedom of choice. Why study the scriptures if everything is understood? Why ponder the great mysteries if we could just approach a teacher and ask? We would just go to our pastor and believe whatever he says... and we would lose so much.

There is a teaching called the Priesthood of all Believers that many Christians (including me) accept. This doctrine says Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity (I Timothy 2:5). Others can teach us, help us to understand the passages, but we each must go to Jesus through prayer and careful Bible study and determine for ourselves what we will believe.

No one, including me, can tell you what to believe. We can only share what we believe, what conclusions our studies have led us to, but in the end, its between you and God.

Keep seeking,
~ John