How Long Was Jesus on the Cross?
In the face of God’s will, what is the response of a good Jewish lad like Jesus? And he pays attention to the authority figure. If Jesus is not willing to obey God, he is nothing else. Certain tests are administered to him, and he passes them. After being confronted by Satan, Jesus just shakes him aside and returns to the job of the Father’s will. When it comes to his death, he has the most difficulty in the world. Even while Jesus understands that God has chosen him to die, he is not enthusiastic about the prospect of doing so.
Afterwards, he “thrhimself to the ground and prays, ‘My Father, if it is possible, please remove this cup from me.'” (26:39).
Maybe he wanted to be sure God was on the line before saying anything else?
With clubs and swords in hand, the approaching mob knows just what God’s response will be.
“My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” he says as he is about to die.
The existence of God’s policies isn’t exactly a resounding endorsement.
How long was Jesus on the cross?
QuestionAnswer Jesus was nailed on the cross for almost six hours. “He was ridiculed by the top priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.” The critics pointed out that he had saved others, but that he was unable to save himself! He’s the king of Israel, after all! Allow him to come down from the cross at this time, and we will believe in him. He places his faith in God. ‘Let God rescue him now, if he so desires, for he has declared himself to be the Son of God,'” Matthew 27:41–43. The crucifixion was a way of carrying out the death punishment in the ancient Roman Empire for people judged guilty of a deadly charge.
- In order to destroy Jesus and keep their authority, the Jewish theocrats planned a strategy to persuade Roman authorities that Jesus had to be slain, which they executed (Mark 14:1; cf.
- The Jewish authorities accused Christ of inciting revolt and establishing Himself as King, charges that he denied and denied again.
- Crucifixion was intended not just to kill, but also to deter others from engaging in illegal activity.
- The cross had a stigma attached to it, and Jewish law stated that it was a curse (Galatians 3:13; 5:11).
- Following their nailing to a cross, some persons may be able to survive for several days afterward, depending on the circumstances.
- The Jewish calendar is used by Matthew, Mark, and Luke to keep track of time.
- In accordance with Jewish tradition, Mark writes, “They crucified him and divided his clothing among themselves, casting lots for them to choose what each should receive.” When they crucified Jesus, it was the third hour, according to Mark 15:24–25 (New International Version).
Matthew, who also used the Jewish method of timekeeping, states that “from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, there was darkness over all the country” (Matthew 6:6-9).
That is, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 P.M., there was complete darkness.
Then, at the conclusion of that period, “after Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he surrendered his spirit” (Matthew 27:50).
For a total of six hours, Jesus had been hanging on the cross, beginning at roughly 9:00 a.m.
The Gospel of John includes the information that Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate was taking place at “around the sixth hour,” according to Roman time (John 19:14, ESV).
As a result, using the Roman system, “around the sixth hour” equals approximately 6:00 a.m.
Then, according to the Jewish calendar, “the third hour” is 9:00 a.m.
“the sixth hour” is equivalent to 12:00 p.m.
The night has come.
Jesus is put to death.
Putting everything together, Jesus’ trial came to a close about 6:00 a.m. Approximately three hours later, his crucifixion began, and He died approximately six hours after that. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) What was the length of Jesus’ time on the cross?
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How long was Jesus on the cross?
ClarifyShareReport Asked Anonymous on July 1, 2013 (via GotQuestions) The responses from the community are arranged according to how many people voted for them. The greater the number of votes, the higher the position of an answer on the list. Jesus was nailed on the cross for almost six hours. “He was ridiculed by the top priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.” The critics pointed out that he had saved others, but that he was unable to save himself! He’s the king of Israel, after all!
- Responses received on July 1st, 20132 Vote for it, share it, and report it.
- Jesus was nailed on the cross for around 6 hours.
- Because of his foreknowledge, Jesus, on the other hand, was under increasing and extreme stress in the days leading up to His death.
- In the course of a single night, he was detained, tied, and hauled through various court appearances while being beaten, tortured, and tormented by his captors.
- Jesus was a tough specimen, in contrast to the slender and effeminate image that is sometimes presented.
- Having rock-hard hands and feet, he would have seemed to be robust and untamed.
- The equivalent of walking around the world over steep semi-mountainous terrain, traveling gravel, dirt, and rock roads, by the time of his death had been completed by the time of his death.
His core would have been tight and powerful, and his walk would have been upright, with his shoulders square to the ground.
When walking on concrete like that at the Temple, his grasp would be firm and his footfall would be light and springlike.
As a result of this, the troops were forced to use dice to split his clothing because there was no easy method to divide it and it would lose its worth if it was torn apart.
Kenneth Heck is an American businessman and philanthropist.
to 3 p.m.
However, because Christ was already dead, one of the soldiers punctured his side, puncturing his heart.
Following this, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to request permission to remove Jesus’ corpse from the crucifixion, since it was then clear that he had died; Pilate granted permission, and the body was taken down from the cross in preparation for burial.
On November 1st, 2016, there were 0 answers.
In the following hours, Jesus was beheaded between two convicted thieves, according to the Gospel of Mark, and died around six hours later.
(Mark 15:34-37).
Jesus cries out to God, then makes a piercing scream before passing away.
(3 p.m.) While keeping that in mind, I’ve observed that there is considerable dispute on this point: Many scholars believe that the precision with which we mark the time today should not be read back into the gospel accounts, which were written at a time when there was no standardization of timepieces, or exact recording of hours and minutes was not available, and time was often approximated to the closest three-hour period.” However, I doggedly adhere to my 6 hour schedule, from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. 0 replies on June 09, 2019 Vote for it, share it, and report it.
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How Many Hours Did Jesus Suffer on the Cross?
Generally speaking, it is believed that Jesus endured on the Cross for three hours before to His death. Although this assertion is incorrect, it is also predicated on the assumption that the testimony of the synoptic Gospels (St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke) contradicts the testimony of St. John’s Gospel. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to determine what is causing the confusion about the length of time that Jesus suffered on the Cross, to determine the actual length of time that our Lord suffered on the Cross, and to resolve the issue by demonstrating that there is no contradiction between the testimonies of St.
- It appears that there is a conflict between the Gospel of St.
- John over the date on which Jesus was crucified, which is the basis of the uncertainty.
- Mark 15:25 expressly specifies that Jesus was crucified at the “third hour,” which corresponds to 9:00 a.m.
- Saint John’s Gospel claims that Jesus was on trial and turned over to be executed at the “sixth hour,” which would be noon if St.
- As a result, because St.
- Mark 15:33-37, and St.
- John 19:14 from the Gospel of St.
- However, according to the Gospels of St.
- Mark 15:33, and St.
- For example, how is it possible that the Gospel of St.
- It appears that the synoptic Gospels are in accord on the specifics of the Crucifixion in this passage:
- When Jesus was crucified, the world went dark during the “third hour” (9:00 AM) — St.Mark 15:25
- When Jesus was hanging on the Cross, the world went dark during the “sixth hour” (12:00 PM) — St.Matthew 27:45
- When Jesus died on the Cross, the world went dark during the “ninth hour” — St.Matthew 27:46-50, St.Mark 15:33-37, and St.Luk
While the Gospel of St. John appears to be at odds with the synoptic Gospels in the following ways: It was the sixth hour of the day of preparation for the Passover, and it was the day of preparation for the Passover. “Behold your King!” he said to the assembled Jews. They chanted, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” they screamed out. “Do you want me to crucify your King?” Pilate inquired of them. As a response, the leading priests said, “We have no sovereign save Caesar.” Then he gave him over to them, who crucified him on the cross.
He carried his own cross to this location.
That is where he and two others were crucified alongside him with Jesus sandwiched in the middle between the two. 14-18 (St. John 19:14-18) (RSV) As a result, the assertion that Jesus suffered on the Cross for three hours must be taken to imply three things:
- Concerning the time of the events surrounding the Crucifixion, the evidence of the synoptic Gospels is at odds with the witness of John’s gospel. The Gospel of John provides accurate information about the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, but the synoptic Gospels provide inaccurate information. The synoptic Gospels are right regarding the date of Jesus’ death, despite the fact that they were incorrect about the day of His crucifixion and the date on which the world went black.
These three fundamental assumptions, on the other hand, are extremely troublesome since the Catholic Church holds that Sacred Scripture is without error. “Since, therefore, all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as being affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, desired to be confided to the Sacred Scriptures,” states paragraph 107 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
- John cannot be reconciled with the testimony of the synoptic Gospels, including the specifics of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
- John’s witness and the testimony of the synoptic Gospels, assuming they cannot be in contradiction?
- What if St.
- What if St.
- As a result, if the synoptic Gospels are referring to Jewish time and the Gospel of John is referring to Roman time, the Gospel stories are completely consistent.
- St.John 19:14states that Jesus is still on trial and is turned over for crucifixion during the “sixth hour” Roman time (6:00 AM), i.e., He begins bearing His Cross
- St.Mark 15:25states that Jesus was crucified during the “third hour” Jewish time (6:00 AM) (9:00 AM). There are three hours between the conclusion of Jesus’ trial and the time He is actually nailed to the Cross
- St. Matthew 27:45, St. Mark 15:33, and St. Luke 23:44state that the world turned dark during the “sixth hour” Jewish time (12:00 PM)
- St. Matthew 27:46-50, St. Mark 15:33-37, and St. Luke 23:44-46state that Jesus gave His life during the “ninth hour” Jewish time (3:00 PM)
- St
With this perspective, we can clearly see that there is no conflict between the Gospel of St. John and the synoptic Gospels, and as a result, this interpretation sustains the inerrancy of Sacred Scripture, which the Church recognizes in CCC 107. Please study the following chart, which depicts the approximate link between Jewish time and Roman time, and always remember that the Gospel of St. John refers to Roman time, whilst the synoptic Gospels relate to Jewish time: Hours and Watches, for a better understanding of this.
” Recognition of these truths exposes something quite intriguing!
However, the manner in which we count hours and days differs from the manner in which the people of Jesus’ day numbered hours and days.
A counting series, on the other hand, always began with the number one. So, what precisely does that imply and imply? The distinction is as follows:
- Modern counting is as follows: 9:00 AM equals 0 hours
- 10:00 AM equals 1 hour
- 11:00 AM equals 2 hours
- 12:00 PM equals 3 hours
- 1:00 PM equals 4 hours
- 2:00 PM equals 5 hours
- 3:00 PM equals 6 hours.
- For example, if you are counting during the time of Jesus, 9:00 AM is one hour, 10:00 AM is two hours, 11:00 AM is three hours, 12:00 PM is four hours, 1:00 PM is five hours, 2:00 PM is six hours, and 3:00 PM is seven hours.
For example, if you are counting during the time of Jesus, 9:00 AM is one hour, 10:00 AM is two hours, 11:00 AM is three hours, 12:00 PM is four hours, 1:00 PM is five hours, 2:00 PM is six hours, 3:00 PM is seven hours, etc.
When Did Jesus Die? The Year, Day & Time
There has been much speculation concerning the day and year of Christ’s crucifixion and death, owing to the absence of clear day-to-day linkage in the stories of the four Gospels. We know that Jesus died on Preparation Day because it is mentioned in each of the four Gospel narratives. But was it a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday when that happened? In addition, what hour did Jesus die? There has even been discussion over the year in which he passed away. To figure out the day of Jesus’ death on the cross, we must piece together the evidence from his four Gospels and our understanding of his historical period and cultural context.
Cultural Information to Keep in Mind
1. The gospel writers were more concerned with depicting Jesus as a person than they were with the precise chronology of his appearance. Dates have become increasingly important in today’s environment in order to provide proper news coverage. However, the Gospel authors were more concerned with the events themselves than they were with the precise date of the occurrences. They were attempting to introduce Jesus to a variety of audiences rather than providing a thorough biography. It was the day before the Sabbath that was designated as the Day of Preparation.
This is the day on which Jews prepared meals and completed all of the tasks that were prohibited from being completed on the Sabbath but that still needed to be completed.
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What the Gospels Say about Jesus’ Burial
One of the primary concerns of the Gospel authors was the presentation of Jesus, rather than the specific time of his appearances. When it comes to providing proper news coverage, dates have become more important. In contrast, the Gospel authors were more concerned with the events themselves rather than the precise time of those occurrences. Instead of providing a full biography of Jesus, they hoped to convey him to a wide variety of audiences. Two days before the Sabbath, there was a Day of Preparation.
Because Jews at this time were required to refrain from working on the Sabbath, Jesus’ companions made certain that he was buried before the Sabbath began at sunset on Friday.
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What Day Did Jesus Die? Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
1. The gospel writers were more concerned with showing Jesus as a person than they were with accurate time. Dates have become increasingly important in order to provide proper news coverage in today’s globe. However, the Gospel authors were more concerned with the events themselves than they were with the precise chronology. They were attempting to introduce Jesus to a variety of audiences rather than providing a full biography of him. 2. The Day of Preparation took place the day before the Sabbath was to begin.
This was the day on which Jews prepared meals and completed all of the tasks that were prohibited from being completed on the Sabbath but that still needed to be completed.
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- Wednesday The fact that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday permits for Him to have been buried for three full days and nights
- Nevertheless, this also means that He resurrected on the fourth day. Furthermore, the Triumphal Entry would have taken place on Saturday, the day of Sabbath rest
- Instead, it took place on Thursday. With a Thursday crucifixion, the Triumphal Entry is moved to Sunday, which makes more sense and removes the necessity for a “quiet day” (a day during thePassion Weekwhen no events were recorded). On the other hand, we know that the Pharisees hurried to put Jesus in the tomb on The Day of Preparation (John 19:34-42), which is Friday, and before the Sabbath began at nightfall (the Jews timed days from the beginning of the nightfall to the beginning of the nightfall). Upon closer examination of the facts, we find that Friday is the most consistent with the Gospel narratives and the historical context. According to the New Testament, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day—not necessarily after three complete, literal days—and was buried on the third day (e.g.,Matthew 16:21
- Acts 10:40). As previously stated, Jesus had to be hustled inside the tomb on the day of preparation because of the crowds. In contrast to a Friday crucifixion, which would demand a “quiet day” (most likely Wednesday), this day gives the Sanhedrin the opportunity to make plans for Jesus’s arrest and following trials. As a result, the day is just “quiet” since we haven’t documented anything significant
What Time Did Jesus Die?
According to Matthew Henry’s interpretation, Jesus was nailed to the crucifixion between the third and sixth hours, which corresponds between nine and twelve o’clock in the morning. After then, he died shortly after the ninth hour, which was sometime between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. Commensurate with the aforementioned practice, the Jews throughout the time of Christ measured days from dusk to nightfall. The Matthew 27:46 KJV, which is the “ninth hour,” can be translated into the Matthew 27:46 NIV, which is the “three o’clock in the afternoon,” according to Bible experts.
Timing of Jesus Death in Mark, Luke, and John
- The Gospel of Mark 15: 33:34, 37 “At midday, darkness descended across the entire region, lasting until three o’clock in the afternoon. Also, about three o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus said, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” in an obnoxiously loud voice. (which translates as ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’). “Jesus breathed his last with a piercing scream.”
- Matthew 23:44-46 ” It was now around midday, and darkness descended upon the entire region until three o’clock in the afternoon since the sun had ceased shining. And the temple’s curtain was split in two by the earthquake. I put my spirit into your hands,’ Jesus said with a resounding voice, calling out to the Father. At the moment he stated this, he exhaled his final breath.” (See also John 19:14-16.) “It was approximately midday on the day of Passover preparations, and it was the day of Passover preparations. ‘Your king has arrived,’ Pilate said to the Jews. They, on the other hand, cried out, “Take him away!” Take him away from me! ‘Put him to death!’ ‘Do you want me to crucify your king?’ Pilate was the one who inquired. ‘We do not have a monarch other than Caesar,’ the leading priests responded. Eventually, Pilate gave him over to them, and they crucified him.”
What Year Did Jesus Die?
34 and 37 in Mark 15:33, 34 and 37 “At midday, darkness descended throughout the entire country, lasting until three o’clock in the afternoon. ” Also, around three o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus exclaimed, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” in a very loud voice. The phrase “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” implies “Why have you abandoned me.” “Jesus breathed his last with a piercing scream. 23:44-46 in the Gospel of Luke After the sun had set, it was approximately midday when darkness descended across the entire country, lasting until three o’clock in the afternoon.
I entrust my spirit into your hands,’ Jesus said with a resounding voice as he addressed the Father.
” 19:14-16; John 19:14-16; “It was about midday on the day of Passover preparations, and it was the day of Preparation of the Passover.” A message from Pilate to the Jews read: “Here is your king.” “Take him away!” they cried frantically, but no one came to help.
He must be taken away immediately. Put him on the cross!’ The question is, “Do you want me to crucify your king?”. Pilate was the one who inquired of you. In response, the leading priests said, “We have no monarch save Caesar.” “At long last, Pilate sent Jesus to them to be crucified.” ;
3 Significant Events Shortly After Jesus’ Death
Matthew 27:51-54, Matthew 27:51-54 As a result of this, the temple’s curtain was split in half, from top to bottom. The ground trembled, the rocks cracked, and the tombs burst into flames. Many pious persons who had died were brought back to life by the power of the Holy Spirit. They emerged from the graves following Jesus’ resurrection and proceeded to the holy city, where they appeared to a large number of people. They were startled and cried, “Surely he was the Son of God!” when the centurion and others with him who were guarding Jesus witnessed the earthquake and everything that had transpired.
- The temple curtain had been ripped in half.
- We know from the laws of the Old Testament that entering God’s presence was a severe matter.
- The fact that this curtain was destroyed represented the completion of Jesus Christ’s accomplished work on the cross, which eliminated the barrier between sinful humans and holy God by becoming the ultimate High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all people.
- 2.
- John Gill’s remark on the event states that “this was a demonstration of Christ’s authority over death and the tomb.” When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his death, he demonstrated that he had destroyed both the power of death and the permanence of the grave.
- In addition to its grandiose claims, this event is noteworthy because it is a narrative predicting Christ’s second coming to collect the remainder of his people.
- 3.
- This text in Matthew glosses over such a remarkable occurrence, but Christ’s resurrection is told in greater detail in Matthew 28, which is the gospel of Matthew (as well as inMark 16,Luke 24, andJohn 20).
Jesus on the Cross – The Timeline of His Final Day
What transpired during Jesus’ last hours on the crucifixion and how long did he spend there is unknown.
As we follow the timeline of Jesus’ crucifixion from the early morning hours to His final hours on the cross, we will learn more about His last day on earth. Scripture scriptures that correspond to the passage are offered for further reference.
Jesus on the Way to Golgotha (Before 9:00 AM)
Scriptural references include Matthew 27:31-34, Mark 15:20-23, Luke 23:26-33, and John 19:17. It is important to note that the Romans intended crucifixion to be 1) unspeakably cruel; 2) mercilessly lingering (men would frequently spend a day or more on the cross); 3) inescapably public (again, to thwart any seditious impulses in the citizenry); and 4) publicly certifiable (the death had to occur visibly and undeniably on the cross so that the rumor would not get started that the seditionist had somehow survived and the rebellion should go on).
This resulted in crucifying people on a low hill outside the main city gate (since the main city gate serves as a bottleneck, as everyone entering and leaving the city must pass through it).
The First Three Hours of Jesus the Cross (9:00 AM-Noon)
Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; and John 19:18-27 are the Scriptures that apply. Notes: Jesus is nailed to a cross between two criminals. The sun is still shining. The soldiers make a bet on whether or not Jesus’ clothing will be found (in fulfillment ofPsalms 22:18). The inscription is applied amid a great deal of jeering. Jesus addresses the crowd three times: First, He addressed His heavenly Father on behalf of His tormentors, saying, “Father, forgive them.” He also said to the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” and he spoke to His mother and to John, “Woman, look at thy son.”
The First Three Sayings of Jesus on the Cross
Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; and John 19:18-27 are the Scriptures to consider. It should be noted that Jesus is nailed on a cross between two thieves. Light from the sun still shines through the clouds. For the clothing of Jesus, the soldiers make a bet (in fulfillment ofPsalms 22:18). After considerable jeering and jeering, the inscription is attached. Three times, Jesus speaks: 1) To His heavenly Father on behalf of His tormentors: “Father, forgive them,” He prayed. He also said to the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” and he spoke to His mother and to John, “Woman, look at your son.”
“Today you will be with me in paradise”
The only people who were guilty of their crimes were the two men who were hanged next to Jesus on that dreadful day. Jesus was blameless, without sin, and was not the perpetrator of such a heinous killing. Despite the fact that both men talked to Jesus, only one would die and be welcomed into the promise of Heaven. Because Jesus told this offender that he too would enter the gates of Heaven and dwell in Paradise on that same day, Jesus’ response to this criminal was significant. We are not informed what this thief took in order to be found guilty, but whatever it was, it was deserving of the worst punishment possible.
Christians today can learn from Christ’s response to the criminal who was sitting next to Him in the crowd.
Jesus died on the cross for our transgressions, and in that forgiveness, he continues to live in our place.
Jesus recognized what was in his heart and made the guarantee that, notwithstanding the judgment imposed by the earth on this man, he would enter the gates of Heaven on the very same day.
“Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” Jesus said to the thief, according to Cally Logan’s book What Did Jesus Mean When He Told the Thief “Today you will be with Me in Paradise?”
“Woman, behold your son”
Jesus saw his mother, Mary, standing nearby and recognized her concerns and griefs, and He also saw his brother, John, standing nearby. And in order to do so, He restored the previously broken bond that existed between his adoring mother and His adoring disciple In his words to her, “Woman, see your son, for whom, from this day forward, you must have a motherly attachment,” and in his words to John, “Behold your mother, to whom you must perform a sonly duty,” As a result, from that hour on, an hour that will never be forgotten, that disciple brought her to his own residence.
He refers to her as woman rather than mother, not out of any disdain for her, but because the term mother would have been a cutting phrase to her, who was already grieving severely.
(Excerpt from Why Did Jesus Say “Woman, Behold Your Son?” Why Did Jesus Say “Woman, Behold Your Son?”
The Final Three Hours of Jesus the Cross (Noon-3:00 PM)
John was not far away, and Jesus saw his mother, Mary, standing nearby and recognized her concerns and griefs. Consequently, He re-established a fresh bond between His adoring mother and his adoring disciple. In his words to her, “Woman, behold your son, for whom, from this day forward, you must have a motherly attachment,” and to John, “Behold you mother, to whom you must perform a sonly duty,” The disciple escorted her to his own house as soon as the hour struck, an hour that will never be forgotten.
His instructions are for her to regard John as her son: “Behold him as thy son, who stands beside you, and be as a mother to him,” he says.
The Final Sayings of Jesus from the Cross
The time when he felt abandoned by the Father, I think that he glanced around and saw this procession of people coming by who were taunting him, including the top priest and rulers, I believe that he felt abandoned by the Father. The reason these criminals would make fun of me is understandable. What I don’t understand is why the people who chanted Hosanna five days ago are still saying it. So I can understand why they would abandon me. What I don’t comprehend is why these Jewish leaders would abandon me.
That’s what crushed his heart the most.
But it was that separation that crushed his heart, since he had never had a single minute of any kind of separation in his relationship with the Father before then.
Extracted from “My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?” – Meaning and Importance of the Bible.
“I thirst”
This may appear to be an unnecessarily straightforward approach. If you take these words and interpret them in an overly spiritualized way, you may find yourself in trouble. We may think of “thirsting” as a metaphor for Christ’s command to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). Yet another possible connection would be to draw a relationship between this remark and Christ’s invitation to those who are thirsty to come and drink from the fountain of life (Revelation 22:17). It is not always incorrect to draw these interpretative connections, and word-studies may be a pleasurable diversion from both Biblical meditation and Biblical study.
Mild, if not severe, dehydration would have resulted from the hours he had spent in the heat combined with the physical discomfort he was experiencing.
Jesus is physically thirsty when he is hanging on the cross. (Excerpt from What is the Meaning and Significance of Jesus Saying “I Thirst?” by Rev. Kyle Norman, What is the Meaning and Significance of Jesus Saying “I Thirst?”
“It is finished”
In the words “It is completed,” Jesus is stating that the debt due by man to his Creator as a result of Adam’s transgression has been fully and permanently discharged. With the words “it is finished,” Jesus is stating that not only does He take away man’s sin, but that He has now removed it as far as the east is from the west, because it has been completed, completed, signed, and sealed because of the blood of Jesus. With the words “It is finished” (John 19:30), Jesus brought all of the Old Testament prophesies, symbolic images, and foreshadowings about Himself to a close.
Throughout Scripture, from the “seed” who would crush the serpent’s head in Genesis 3:15, through the Suffering Servant, there is a theme of suffering (Isaiah 53).
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”
When Jesus appears to be making a decision, whether or not the translation is more active, such as “gave up the ghost” or “breathed his last,” is extremely crucial to certain Christians. Given that Jesus was both entirely God and totally man, he had the ability to remove himself from the cross and continue to live while exercising His divine power. He made the decision not to do so. Because of His divine essence, He was forced to make the conscious decision to let go of his life. For those who feel that this aspect of the crucifixion is significant, the passive notion that Jesus just died on the cross as a result of his wounds, as implied by certain translations, is an inadequate reading of the passage.
- Other readers and thinkers, however, do not consider this as a detracting from Jesus’ divine essence, and instead choose the option that is most convenient for them to read or exegete.
- It is a straight quotation from the portion of Scripture in which it is found.
- “I submit my spirit into your hands; you have redeemed me, O LORD, loyal God,” I declare (Psalm 31:3-5).
- Jesus led a sinless life during his time on earth.
- Despite the fact that Jesus’ opponents believed they had beaten Him at Calvary, God provided Jesus the ultimate triumph through the gift of fresh bodily life.
After His return, Jesus will also be victorious in the final battle. (Excerpt from “Father, into your hands I surrender my spirit,” by Bethany Verrett, “Beautiful Meaning Behind “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”). )
Physical Phenomena at the Death of Jesus
According to some Christians, whether or not the translation is more active, such as “gave up the ghost” or “breathed his last,” in which Jesus looks to be making a decision, is extremely crucial. It was possible for Jesus to remove himself from the crucifixion, stay alive, and exercise His divine authority because He was both completely God and fully man at the same time. Instead, he decided against it. The fact that He is divine means that He had to make the conscious decision to let go of his own life.
- There are no appropriate translations for the words “expired” or “died.” For others, though, this decision isn’t a slight on Jesus’ divine essence, and they choose the one that is more convenient for them to read and understand.
- It is a straight quotation from the section of Scripture in question, and it follows.
- I entrust my heart into your hands; you, O LORD, loyal God, have redeemed me” (Psalm 31:3-5).
- The life of Jesus on earth was without fault.
- Despite the fact that Jesus’ opponents believed they had beaten Him at Calvary, God handed Jesus the ultimate triumph by providing him with fresh bodily life beyond death.
- “Father, into your hands I surrender my spirit,” says Bethany Verrett in her book Beautiful Meaning Behind “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” )
How many hours was Jesus on the cross?
The Romans devised the crucifixion as a method of execution in order to kill, torture, and humiliate their victims. Some people died after being nailed to a cross for several days. Jesus was crucified for approximately six hours before he was killed. The Romans began each day’s hours at the stroke of midnight. According to the Roman calendar, Jesus’ trial began around the sixth hour, or 6 a.m., according to the gospel of John (John 19:14). Every day begins at 6 a.m., according to the Jewish calendar, which the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke follow.
- From the sixth hour to the ninth hour, or from noon to 3 p.m., according to Matthew, the day turned to nightfall (Matthew 27:45).
- A Roman soldier poked a spear into Jesus’ side to determine whether or not He was indeed dead, and He was thereafter brought down from the cross (John 19:34–38).
- to approximately 3 p.m., Jesus was hanging on the cross.
- What day of the week did Jesus die on the cross?
What are the meanings of Christ’s last seven statements, and what are they about? What are some of the reasons why I should believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Is it more necessary to remember Jesus’ death than to remember His resurrection? Return to the page: The Truth About Jesus Christ.
April 3, AD 33: Why We Believe We Can Know the Exact Date Jesus Died
In our book, The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived, Justin Taylor and I make an educated guess as to the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, but we do not argue for or against it. For a variety of factors, virtually all academics think that Jesus was executed in the spring of either AD 30 or AD 33, with the majority preferring the former. As a result of the astronomical data, the alternatives are reduced to AD 27, 30, 33, or 34). However, we would want to present our case for the date of Friday, April 3, AD 33, as the precise day on which Christ died in our place as atonement for our sins.
However, this does not rule out the possibility of understanding or importance.
No one makes this argument more forcefully than Luke, the Gentile physician who became a historian and inspired recorder of early Christianity.
The Year John the Baptist’s Ministry Began
In Luke’s account, John the Baptist began his public ministry soon before Jesus did, and the author provides us with a historical reference point for when the Baptist’s ministry began: “in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign.” (See Luke 3:16). It is known from ancient Roman history that Tiberius succeeded Augustus as emperor on August 19, AD 14 and was approved by the Roman Senate on the same day. He reigned until the year AD 37. “The fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign” appears to be a straightforward date, but there are some ambiguities, beginning with when one begins the calculation.
Most likely, Tiberius’ reign was measured from the day he assumed office in AD 14 or from the first day of January of the following year, AD 15 (whichever came first).
So John the Baptist’s ministry began anywhere between the middle of AD 28 and the beginning of AD 29.
The Year Jesus’s Ministry Began
Because the Gospels appear to suggest that Jesus began his ministry not long after John, the most likely date for Jesus’ baptism would be late in AD 28 at the absolute earliest, according to the calculations above. Nevertheless, it seems more likely that it occurred somewhere around the first half of the year AD 29, because a few months had probably gone between the beginning of John’s career and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (and the year AD 30 is the latest possible date). As a result, Jesus’ career must have began somewhere between the end of AD 28 and the beginning of AD 30 at the earliest.
The most plausible dates for Jesus’ birth are 6 or 5 BC, which means he would have been roughly thirty-two to thirty-four years old in late AD 28 to early AD 30. This comes well within the range of “about thirty years of age.”
The Length of Jesus’s Ministry
To determine how long Jesus’ public ministry lasted, we must first determine how long Jesus’ public ministry lasted. If Jesus’ public ministry lasted two or more years, it appears that the spring of AD 30 cannot be considered as a plausible date for the crucifixion. The Gospel of John records that Jesus attended at least three (perhaps four) Passovers, which were held once a year in the spring and were as follows:
- In Jerusalem, at the beginning of his public ministry (John 2:13–23)
- In Galilee, during the midpoint of his public career (John 6:4)
- And in Bethlehem, at the end of his public ministry (John 6:4). In Jerusalem, at the conclusion of his public ministry, that is, at the time of his crucifixion (John 11:55
- 12:1), there was a final Passover celebration. And it’s possible that Jesus attended another Passover that wasn’t reported in the Gospel of John, but was documented in one or more of the Synoptic Gospels (i.e., Matthew, Mark, and Luke)
This would make a date of a.d. 30 all but impossible as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, even if there were only three Passovers in all. As previously stated, the earliest possible date for the beginning of Jesus’ career, according to Luke 3:1, is late in the first century AD. The first of these Passovers (which occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry; John 2:13) would happen on Nisan 15 in the year 29 (since Nisan is in March/April, around the beginning of a year), which would be the first of these Passovers in the year 29.
If Jesus’ ministry corresponded with at least three Passovers, and if the first Passover occurred in AD 29, this suggests that he could not have been executed in ad 30, as previously thought.
The Passovers in the book of John would thus take place on the following dates:
| Nisan 15 | AD 30 | John 2:13 |
| Nisan 15 | AD 31 | Either the unnamed feast in John 5:1 or else a Passover that John does not mention (but that may be implied in the Synoptics) |
| Nisan 15 | AD 32 | John 6:4 |
| Nisan 15 | AD 33 | John 11:55, the Passover at which Jesus was crucified |
Jesus Was Crucified on the Day of Preparation for the Passover
It is also mentioned by the apostle John that Jesus was crucified on “the day of Preparation” (John 19:31), which corresponds to the Friday before the Sabbath of the Passover week (Mark 15:42). Earlier in the day, on Thursday evening, Jesus had a Passover meal with the Twelve (Mark 14:12), which is referred to as his “Last Supper.” Passover always falls on the fifteenth day of Nisan (Exodus 12:6), according to the Pharisaic-rabbinic calendar that was generally used in Jesus’ day. According to this calendar, Passover begins on Thursday after sundown and finishes on Friday after nightfall.
33, the year in which the crucifixion is most likely to have occurred, the most likely date for Jesus’ crucifixion is April 3 in the year a.d.
Accordingly, we created the following chart in The Final Days of Jesus to indicate the dates for Jesus’ final week in the year a.d.
| April 2 | Nissan 14 | Thursday (Wednesday nightfall to Thursday nightfall) | Day of Passover preparation | Last Supper |
| April 3 | Nissan 15 | Friday (Thursday nightfall to Friday nightfall) | Passover; Feast of Unleavened Bread, begins | Crucifixion |
| April 4 | Nissan 16 | Saturday (Friday nightfall to Saturday nightfall) | Sabbath | |
| April 5 | Nissan 17 | Sunday (Saturday nightfall to Sunday nightfall) | First day of the week | Resurrection |
Conclusion
The computations in the preceding section may look difficult, but in a nutshell, the reasoning goes as follows:
| HISTORICAL INFORMATION | YEAR |
| Beginning of Tiberius’s reign | AD 14 |
| Fifteenth year of Tiberius’s reign:Beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry | AD 28 |
| A few months later:Beginning of Jesus’s ministry | AD 29 |
| Minimum three-year duration of Jesus’ ministry:Most likely date of Jesus’s crucifixion | AD 33 (April 3) |
While this is, in our opinion, the most plausible scenario, it should be noted that many people think Jesus was killed in the year AD 30, rather than the year AD 33, as we have said. If, on the other hand, the beginning of Tiberius’ rule is set at the year AD 14, it becomes nearly difficult to fit fifteen years of Tiberius’ reign and three years of Jesus’ ministry between AD 14 and AD 30, as is the case. As a result, some have speculated that Tiberius and Augustus shared co-regency (combined rule) during the last few years of Augustus’ reign.
As a result, we believe that Jesus was most likely crucified on April 3, AD 33, as previously stated.
Because of this, when we celebrate Easter and walk with Jesus every day of the year, we may be certain that our faith is founded not just on subjective personal confidence, but also on solid historical evidence, which makes our faith a perfectly rational faith.
Crossway’s executive vice president and publisher for books, Justin Taylor, holds this position. Andreas Köstenberger and he have written a book together called The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week in the Life of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived (Crossway, 2014).