The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events in Christianity. It marks the triumph over death and sin, and the beginning of a new era for believers.
But, what day of the week did Jesus rise back to life? Let’s dive into the historical accounts to find out.
The Crucifixion
Before we talk about the resurrection, we need to first understand when Jesus was crucified. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was arrested on Thursday night after the Last Supper. He was then tried and sentenced to death by crucifixion on Friday morning.
Mark 15:25-26 – “It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
The Sabbath
After Jesus’ crucifixion, his body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb before sunset on Friday. This was done because it was about to be Sabbath.
John 19:31 – “Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.”
The Jewish Sabbath is observed from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. During this time, no work is allowed, so there were no activities related to Jesus’ burial or resurrection during this period.
The Resurrection
According to all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), Jesus rose from death early on Sunday morning.
Mark 16:1-2 – “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb.”
This event is celebrated by Christians around the world as Easter Sunday, and it marks the end of the Holy Week.
In Conclusion
To sum up, Jesus was crucified on Friday and buried before sunset. The Sabbath started at sunset on Friday and lasted until sunset on Saturday. Jesus rose from death early on Sunday morning, which is celebrated as Easter Sunday.
The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian faith and has been a subject of debate for centuries. However, regardless of theological perspectives, it remains a powerful symbol of hope, redemption, and renewal for millions of people around the world.