Christ’s Crucifixion was NOT on Friday Many are deceived about Christ’s death and resurrection—did He die on “Good Friday” and rise on “Easter Sunday”? Since His only sign as the Messiah was that He would be in the grave for “three days and three nights,” how does this tradition fit?

ROPHESIED CENTURIES ear- nights cannot mean three days and three the apostles had always done. Yet, the lier, Jesus Christ’s burial and res- nights. bishops of Rome had other ideas. P urrection fulfilled a precise time- Thus, the letter from Hermes was frame. Notice Matthew 12: “Then cer- Accepted by Professing Christianity either a forgery or it was deceptively tain of the scribes and of the Pharisees The Good Friday-Easter Sunday tradi- written by Pius, who died just before answered, saying, Master, we would see tion distorts the truth of what actually Polycarp’s visit to Rome (Apostolical a sign from You. But He answered and happened. But what is the origin of this Fathers, James Donaldson, p. 324). The said unto them, An evil and adulterous tradition? Since the originators of this bishops at Rome had decreed that they generation seeks after a sign; and there false doctrine had no sound biblical possessed the power to supercede and shall no sign be given to it, but the sign proof or authority to fall back on, they change the times and laws of God (see of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was resorted to fraudulent tactics to legit- Daniel 7:25). They rewrote history and three days and three nights in the imize their fabrications. One such claim changed the order of events in order to whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man was that Hermes, the brother of Pope introduce their false doctrines. be three days and three nights in the Pius (about the year A.D. 147) “had Their effort to change the day of the heart of the earth” (vs. 38-40). received instruction from an angel, who resurrection to Sunday was simply a Professing Christianity has erro- commanded that all men should keep continuation of the Babylonian tradi- neously followed the Roman Catholic the Pasch [Passover] on the Lord’s day tion—that Nimrod (father of the Good Friday-Easter Sunday tradition, [Sunday]” (Antiquities of the Christian Babylonian Mystery Religion) was res- rejecting the truth of Scripture. This tra- Church, Joseph Bingham, p. 1149). urrected on a Sunday. By A.D. 321, dition teaches that Christ was in the The apostle Paul wrote, “But though Roman Emperor Constantine estab- grave from late Friday afternoon, just we, or an angel from heaven, preach any lished Sunday as part of the official state before sunset, until Sunday sunrise. This other gospel unto you than that which religion, thus legitimizing all the vari- timeframe includes Friday night, the we have preached unto you, let him be ous traditions attached to that day. daylight portion of Saturday, and accursed” (Gal. 1:8). He repeats this Saturday night. This is clearly two same warning in verse 9. Instructions What Really Happened from Burial nights and one day—not three days and from an angel can never supplant God’s to Resurrection three nights, as Christ promised as His Word. Christ’s crucifixion took place on only sign. In some distorted twist, Sunday Passover day, the 14th of Abib (or Instead of believing Christ, theolo- came to represent both the Passover as Nisan), the first month in God’s Sacred gians ignore His own words—that He the time of Christ’s crucifixion and bur- Calendar. This occurred in the year A.D. would be three days and three nights in ial, AND the resurrection. However, 31, in which Passover fell on a the grave—three complete 24-hour since it was not logical to condense the Wednesday. Many fail to consider the days. Religionists proclaim the false events of three days and three nights prophecy that the Messiah would be idea that Christ was only buried for half into only one day, the idea of a Friday “cut off…in the midst of the week” that time. Amazingly, many scholars crucifixion was born. The above-men- (Dan. 9:26-27). Wednesday falls in the believe and teach this false idea. Even tioned letter from Hermes was used to middle of the week—the very day upon Clarke’s Commentary, in explaining validate the position of Anicetus, Pius’s which Passover fell in A.D. 31. Matthew 12:40, follows this false tradi- successor, who disputed with Polycarp According to the Roman calendar, this tion, established as early as the mid-sec- over the issue of transferring Passover date was Wednesday, April 25. ond century A.D. Despite many schol- to a Sunday. Trained by the apostle Between the ninth and twelfth hour ars’ and theologians’ attempts to John, Polycarp held fast and taught the (3:00 - 6:00 p.m.), Christ died (Luke “prove” otherwise, one day and two observance of Passover as Christ and 23:44-46). With Governor Pilate’s per- Page 2 mission, Joseph of Arimathaea procured ing. However, it does tell us that Christ in troublous times.” This shows that the body, wrapped it in linen (John would be in His grave for three days and there are 62 weeks + 7 weeks—69 19:40) and placed it in the sepulcher three nights. Anyone willing to believe prophetic weeks (or 483 days). (Luke 23:50-53). By the time the burial the Bible should not find this difficult to Applying the day-for-a-year principle was complete, the Sabbath “drew on” accept. In fact, it is the only logical con- (Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6), we arrive at (vs. 54). Thus, the burial took place on clusion that can be drawn. Christ was 483 years from the decree until the Passover day, shortly before sunset. placed in the tomb just before sunset on beginning of Christ’s ministry. That Passover was a preparation Wednesday. Three complete days (three The decree was made during the sev- day, in that it preceded an annual days and three nights) bring us to the enth year of Artaxerxes’ reign (457 Sabbath. This annual Sabbath (called end of the weekly Sabbath, just prior to B.C.). This date is historically well doc- the First Day of Unleavened Bread) was sunset, when Christ was resurrected— umented. By subtracting 457 from 483, called a high Sabbath or “high day” just as He had prophesied! we come to the year A.D. 26. When (John 19:31) and fell on a Thursday that counting from B.C to A.D., astronomers year. It was on this day that the high Proofs to Confirm the Year A.D. 31 correctly add one year since there is no priest and the Pharisees came to Pilate The Sacred Calendar reveals that year “zero,” while historians and to ensure that Christ’s tomb was secure- Passover occurred on a Wednesday in chronologers generally neglect to do ly guarded and sealed (Matt. 27:62-66). A.D. 31. By first establishing the day of this. Adding one year brings us to A.D. Mark 16:1 records what took place the week and day of the month of the 27—the prophesied year of the begin- on that Friday: “And when the sabbath Passover in 1931, we can arrive at the ning of the ministry of the Messiah. was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary day of the week and day of the month of Luke 3:23 tells us, “And Jesus the mother of James, and Salome, had the Passover in A.D. 31. Precisely one Himself began to be about thirty years bought sweet spices, that they might hundred 19-year time cycles would have of age…” The context of this verse is come and anoint Him.” (Verse 2 jumps elapsed. Following this method helps after John the Baptist had begun his to Sunday morning.) The phrase, “and greatly in computing the difference of ministry and just before Jesus began when the Sabbath was passed,” refers to elapsed time between the Roman and His. Since Jesus was 30 years old in the high day that occurred on Thursday. Sacred calendars during that 1,900-year A.D. 27, He would have been born in 4 Since the women could not buy spices time span. After this, we can safely cal- B.C. Remember, we must add one year on the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday), culate the month and week in which to compensate for no year “zero.” Thus, Friday was the only time they could Passover fell in A.D. 31. (Our free book- from 4 B.C., advancing 30 years brings have done so. let The truth about GOD’S CALENDAR us to A.D. 27. This leads us to the next Luke 23:56 states, “And they explains these calculations in greater historical proof that further confirms returned, and prepared spices and oint- technical detail.) when Christ was born. ments; and rested the sabbath day Various Hebrew calendar software according to the commandment.” After programs calculate when Passover or The Time of Herod’s Death buying the spices, they returned and any other Holy Day fell in almost any Shortly after Christ’s birth, an angel prepared them to be applied to Christ’s year, even before A.D. 31. warned Joseph in a dream that he and body in the tomb, which they planned to The following historical accounts his wife Mary were to take the child and do after resting on the weekly Sabbath. will further validate the evidence pre- flee into Egypt. They stayed there until Luke 24:1 states, “Now upon the sented here. the death of Herod (Matt. 2:15). Christ first day of the week [Sunday], very was an infant less than one year of age early in the morning, they came unto the The Decree of Artaxerxes when Herod died. sepulcher, bringing the spices which In the seventh year of Artaxerxes, king Matthew 2:16 shows that Herod they had prepared, and certain others of Persia, a decree was made to rebuild “slew all the children that were in with them.” The women found the tomb Jerusalem (Ezra 7). It followed the Bethlehem and, all the coast thereof, empty (vs. 3). Two angels in shining decree of Cyrus, in which he acknowl- from two years old and under, according garments informed them that Christ was edged that “the LORD God of heaven” to the time which he had diligently already “risen” (vs. 4-6). Mark 16:2 had charged him “to build Him an house inquired of the wise men.” Herod knew states that the women were present “at at Jerusalem, which is in Judah” (Ezra the child’s approximate age, but went the rising of the sun.” This means Christ 1:2). Artaxerxes’ decree became signifi- beyond that age to include those up to was resurrected before sunrise. John cant because of a prophecy revealed to age two, to make sure that the prophe- 20:1 further tells us that Mary Daniel. sied Messiah would not escape execu- Magdalene came early “when it was yet Daniel 9:25 states, “Know therefore tion. dark” and found the stone that sealed the and understand, that from the going To better establish the exact time of tomb was already rolled away. No sun- forth of the commandment to restore Herod’s death, we find in Josephus’ rise resurrection could have occurred— and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah Antiquities of the Jews a reference to a because Christ was already resurrected! the Prince shall be seven weeks, and lunar eclipse. A footnote in the Whiston Nowhere does Scripture record that threescore and two weeks: the street translation of Josephus states, “This Christ rose at sunrise on Sunday morn- shall be built again, and the wall, even eclipse of the moon (which is the only Page 3 eclipse mentioned by Josephus) is of The reign of Roman Emperor for the overspreading of abominations greatest consequence for the determina- Tiberius began about A.D. 11 or 12, He shall make it desolate, even until the tion of the time for the death of since he reigned concurrently with consummation, and that determined Herod…and for the birth and entire Augustus Caesar for about 2 years. If we shall be poured upon the desolate [mar- chronology of Jesus Christ. It happened add the 15 years of Tiberius’ reign to gin: desolator].” March 13th, in the year of the Julian A.D. 11 or 12, we arrive at A.D. 26 or Christ was to confirm the covenant period 4710, and the 4th year before the 27. Here again we see the biblical for one week. According to the day-for- Christian era” (Bk. XVII, ch. vi, sec. 4). chronology verified by history. The 15th a-year principle, the seven days of that According to Josephus, Herod died the year of Tiberius brings us precisely to week equal seven years. Yet, in the following year, 3 B.C. the beginning of John the Baptist’s min- midst of the week, the Messiah was to Soon after Herod’s death, the angel istry, which was just before the time of cause the sacrifice and oblations to instructed Joseph to return to the land of Christ’s ministry. cease. This was done by offering His Israel with Mary and Jesus, who would own life to cover the sins of all humani- have been about one year old. The Governorship of Pontius Pilate ty, as part of God’s Plan of salvation. Historians agree that Pilate ruled for ten The Messiah was “cut off” (vs. 26) in Time of Construction of the Temple years. Luke 3:1 shows that during the the “midst of the week”—after 3½ As mentioned, Christ was 30 years old 15th year of Tiberius’ reign, Pilate was “days,” or prophetic years. His earthly (Luke 3:23) when He began His min- governor. Some historical accounts, ministry lasted precisely 3½ years. Then istry in A.D. 27. Now, we will see how such as the Encyclopedia Britannica, He was cut off—crucified—in the mid- the chronology of the temple harmo- date Pilate’s rule from A.D. 26 to 36. dle of the week—Wednesday. In this nizes with the chronology of Christ: When he was recalled, he immediately prophecy, the “midst of the week” had a “Then answered the Jews and said unto sought help from his close political ally, dual meaning, as does most prophecy. Him, What sign show You unto us, see- Emperor Tiberius. Yet, while Pilate was Since Christ’s ministry began in the ing that You do these things? Jesus en route to confer with him, Tiberius autumn of A.D. 27, this means that He answered and said unto them, Destroy died, in A.D. 37. With Tiberius’ death, was crucified in the spring of A.D. 31, this temple, and in three days I will raise Pilate’s rule ended the same year. 3½ years later. it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six Therefore, Pilate’s ten-year rule would John 2:23 records the first Passover years was this temple in building, and have had to coincide with the years A.D. of His ministry in A.D. 28: “Now when will You rear it up in three days? But He 27 to 37. He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in spoke of the temple of His body” (John Now let’s recap: Pilate’s governor- the feast day, many believed in His 2:18-21). ship over Judea began in early A.D. 27, name, when they saw the miracles This occurred on the first Passover during the 15th year of Tiberius’ rule. which He did.” Afterward, Christ began during Christ’s ministry, in A.D. 28. The Meanwhile, John the Baptist began his teaching in the area of Judea near Jews said that the temple had been ministry in early A.D. 27, which preced- Jerusalem. under construction for 46 years. By ed Christ’s ministry by several months. Luke 6:1 records an event during the adding one year to compensate for no Christ’s ministry would not have Passover season in the second year of year “zero,” this means that the temple’s begun until the autumn of A.D. 27 since His ministry, in A.D. 29: “And it came construction began in 19 B.C., the 18th (1) He was 30 years old when His min- to pass on the second Sabbath after the year of Herod’s reign. istry began and (2) He was born in the first, that He went through the corn In Antiquities, Josephus wrote, “And autumn of 4 B.C. (Read our free booklet fields; and His disciples plucked the now Herod, in the eighteenth year of his The True Origin of CHRISTMAS.) ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them reign… undertook a very great work, Christ’s ministry could not have begun in their hands.” that is to build of himself the temple of later than A.D. 28 because, at that point, The term “the second Sabbath after God…” (Bk. XV, ch. xi, sec. 1). From the temple’s 46-year construction would the first” means the second high day, 19 B.C., we advance 46 years since the have been finished. Thus, the autumn of which was the Last Day of Unleavened beginning of the reconstruction of the A.D. 27 corresponds with numerous Bread. Although this event is covered in temple, arriving at A.D. 28—the first secular and historical proofs, as well as Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28, only Passover after the beginning of Christ’s Scripture. Luke’s account, written in Greek, makes ministry. clear which Sabbath this was. The The Length of Christ’s Ministry Greek term, deuteroproton sabbaton, The Reign of Emperor Tiberius Remember the prophecy in Daniel 9, literally means “the second Sabbath of Other historical evidence involves the which established 483 years, from 457 the first rank”—or the second high day time of the beginning of John the B.C. to A.D. 27. Verse 27 establishes the of that Passover season. Baptist’s ministry. Luke 3:1 begins, length of Christ’s prophesied ministry: John 6:4-5 records the following, “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign “And He shall confirm the covenant which preceded the third Passover of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being with many for one week: and in the (A.D. 30) of Christ’s ministry: “And governor of Judea…” It then describes midst of the week He shall cause the the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was the beginning of John’s ministry. sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and near. When Jesus then lifted up His Page 4 eyes, and saw a great company come records, “And the Jews’ Passover was the four Passovers during Christ’s min- unto Him, He said unto Philip, Where near at hand: and many went out of the istry fell on a Friday. The four Passovers shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” country up to Jerusalem before the fell on Monday (A.D. 28), Saturday This is also recorded in Matthew 14:15, Passover, to purify themselves.” (A.D. 29), Wednesday (A.D. 30), and Mark 6:35-36, and Luke 9:12. Christ’s final Passover completed Wednesday (A.D. 31), respectively. The fourth and final Passover of His earthly ministry of 3½ years. Again, We have shown from God’s Word, Christ’s ministry is the most document- it began in the autumn of A.D. 27 and His Sacred Calendar and man’s secular ed Passover of all. All four of the ended in the spring of A.D. 31, on a history that the crucifixion did not take gospels cover it in detail. Notice Luke Wednesday—in the “midst of the place either on a Friday or in A.D. 33. 22:1-2: “Now the feast of unleavened week.” The world of professing Rather, Christ was crucified and buried bread drew near, which is called the Christianity claims that Christ’s cruci- on a Wednesday in A.D. 31. Now that Passover. And the chief priests and fixion occurred on a Friday, in A.D. 33. you are armed with the truth, will you scribes sought how they might kill Him; However, it can easily be documented accept it or the blind traditions of pro- for they feared the people.” John 11:55 by God’s Sacred Calendar that none of fessing Christianity? F

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