Question: Recently I attended a Bible class. It was very inspiring except for one statement that was made by the teacher. He said that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday). I find this very contradictory to Bible teaching. I find it (based on what the good Book says) impossible for Jesus to be crucified on a Friday and raised from the dead on Sunday. Jesus said that he would be in his grave for three days and three nights, and he has stated that there are 24 hours in a day. Can you shed more light on this issue? Also – are there any of your booklets that explain this? If such a booklet exists, can I have it mailed to me?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Tyrone

Answer: Dear Tyrone,

As you represented and stated both your views and those of your teacher, I would have to say that I disagree with you both. I do not believe that any dogmatic view of this topic – on either side – is appropriate. There are passages that favor the 36 hour Good Friday-Easter Sunday tradition – there are passages that a favor a 72 hour view.

Plain Truth Ministries offers a book by Ralph Woodrow, Three Days and Three Nights – Reconsidered in the Light of Scripture in which the author chronicles his re-evaluation of views that he had once dogmatically taught and believed – it is available for a gift of $5.00.

I cannot here go into all of the proofs on both sides of this issue – but I will conclude by stating that there are some who miss the entire point by focusing too much effort on this issue (I speak as someone who once did just that!) – and bypassing the cross and the empty tomb. The meaning and the significance of the cross, and the fact that Jesus is alive – that he is risen – renders the issue of how long he was in the grave/tomb somewhat irrelevant by comparison.

Hope this give you some food for thought, Tyrone.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht