Expert: Joseph Mulak - 2/7/2012

Question
1 of the 2 criminals crucified with Jesus  believed in God after being together being in the process leading  to crucifixion. Can I know the approximate time/hours they were with Jesus before accepting God?

Answer
The gospel writers used different methods of keeping time. Since Matthew, Mark and Luke were writing mainly for the Jews, they used the Jewish method of time-keeping (from sunset onward, and from sunrise onward.) so, the third hour of the morning, would be three hours after sunrise.

John, writing mainly to the Gentiles, used the Roman method of timekeeping (from midnight to noon and noon to midnight) so the third hour of the morning would be 3 o'clock in the morning.

By examine the scriptures around the times listed, Jesus would have been with the two thieves for about six hours. The Bible tells us he was crucified with two others ( so they were all put on the cross around the same time) at around nine in the morning and Jesus, who scripture tells us died first, died around 3 in the afternoon.

I hope this helps. If you want a more accurate answer with a chronology of Jesus' arrest, trial and death, feel free to write back.

In Christ,

Joseph