Many people place Yahushua in the grave for three days and three nights, taking out of context the words which He spoke. But what is it He said. What is it He told us?
The following goes through each of the scriptures to see how many days it was until Yahushua would rise.
The book of Matthew
Let’s see just how many days the book of Matthew speaks of from the time Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month to the time He was risen on the first day of the week.
Matthew 27:50
50 And Yahushua cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit.
Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month.
Matthew 27:51 -61
51 And see, the veil of the Dwelling Place was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split,
52 and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the set-apart ones who had fallen asleep were raised,
53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into the set-apart city and appeared to many.
54 And when the captain and those with him, who were guarding Yahushua, saw the earthquake and all that took place, they feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of Elohim!”
55 And many women who followed Yahushua from Galil, attending Him, were there, watching from a distance,
56 among whom were Miryam from Magdala, and Miryam the mother of Yaʽaqoḇ and Yosĕph, and the mother of Zaḇdai’s sons.
57 AND WHEN EVENING CAME, there came a rich man from Ramathayim, named Yosĕph, who himself had also become a taught one of Yahushua.
58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Yahushua. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given.
59 And having taken the body, Yosĕph wrapped it in clean linen,
60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock. And he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and went away.
61 And Miryam from Magdala was there, and the other Miryam, sitting opposite the tomb.
Yahushua was buried on the 14th, the Preparation Day, the Passover Day.
Matthew 27:62
62 On the next day, which was after the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
ON THE NEXT DAY – which was the 15th, ( 15 comes after 14)
Matthew 27:63 -66
63 saying, “Master, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am raised.’
64 “Command, then, that the tomb be safeguarded until the third day, lest His taught ones come by night and steal Him away, and should say to the people, ‘He was raised from the dead.’ And the last deception shall be worse than the first.”
65 So Pilate said to them, “You have a watch, go, safeguard it as you know how.”
66 And they went and safeguarded the tomb, sealing the stone and setting the watch.
This is the end of the information concerning the 15th day of the month.
Matthew 28:1
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward dawn on the first day of the week, Miryam from Magdala and the other Miryam came to see the tomb.
This is the 16th day of the month, it is the day after the Sabbath and the Sabbath is/was the day after the Preparation. 14, 15, 16
14 – Passover
15 – Sabbath (weekly)
16 – First day of the week, day of wave sheaf on the morrow after the Sabbath.
Matthew’s account only speaks of 3 days.
The book of Mark
How many days does the book of Mark speak of from the time Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month to the time He was risen on the first day of the week.
Mark 15:37-47
37 And Yahushua cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
38 And the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
39 And when the captain, who was standing opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of Elohim!”
40 And there were also women watching from a distance, among whom was also Miryam from Maḡdala, and Miryam the mother of Yaʽaqoḇ the Less and of Yosĕph, and Shelomah,
41 who also followed Him and attended Him when He was in Galil, and many other women who came up with Him to Yerushalayim.
42 And when EVENING HAD COME, BECAUSE IT WAS THE PREPARATION DAY, THAT IS, THE DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH.
43 Yosĕph of Ramathayim, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the reign of Elohim, came, boldly went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Yahushua.
44 But Pilate wondered whether He was already dead, so summoning the captain, he asked him if He was already dead.
45 And when he learned this from the captain, he gave the body to Yosĕph.
46 And he, having bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
47 And Miryam from Magdala, and Miryam the mother of Yosĕph, saw where He was laid.
Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month, it was the Preparation day, the day before the Sabbath.
Mark 16:1
1 And when the Sabbath was past, Miryam from Magdala, and Miryam the mother of Yaʽaqoḇ, and Shelomah bought spices, to go and anoint Him.
The Sabbath that is mentioned here is the Sabbath that takes place on the day after the Preparation day (14); which means this Sabbath is the 15th. Since it tells us the Sabbath was past:
Mark 16:2-6
2 And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves, “Who shall roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?”
4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, for it was extremely large.
5 And having entered into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, wearing a white robe, and they were greatly astonished.
6 And he said to them, “Do not be much astonished. You seek Yahushua of Natsareth, who was impaled. He was raised – He is not here! See the place where they laid Him.
This is the first day of the week, it is the morrow after the Sabbath, making it the 16th day of the month.
14, 15, 16
Mark’s account only speaks of 3 days.
The book of Luke
How many days does the book of Luke speaks of from the time Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month to the time He was risen on the first day of the week.
Luke 23:46 -56
46 And crying out with a loud voice, Yahushua said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” And having said this, He breathed His last.
47 And the captain, seeing what took place, praised Elohim, saying, “Truly, this Man was righteous!”
48 And when all the crowds who had gathered to that sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.
49 And all those who knew Him, and the women who followed Him from Galil, stood at a distance, watching this.
50 And see, a man named Yosĕph, a council member, a good and righteous man –
51 he was not agreeing with their counsel and deed – from Ramathayim, a city of the Yehuḏim, who himself was also waiting for the reign of Elohim,
52 he, going to Pilate, asked for the body of Yahushua.
53 And taking it down, he wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb hewn out of the rock, where no one was yet laid.
54 AND IT WAS PREPARATION DAY, AND THE SABBATH WAS APPROACHING.
55 And the women who had come with Him from Galil followed after, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.
56 And having returned, they prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the command.
Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month, it was preparation day and the Sabbath (15th) was approaching. After they saw how the body was laid they returned and prepared the spices and perfumes (still the 14th) and then they rested on the Sabbath (15th) according to the command (Ex. 20).
Luke 24:1-3
1 And on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared,
2 and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 And having entered, they did not find the body of the Master Yahushua.
The first day of the week was the day after the Sabbath; making it the 16th day of the month.
14, 15, 16
Also in Luke 24, Yahshua himself tells us what day it was:
Luke 24:13-21
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Yahshua Himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”
18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?”
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Yahshua of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before Elohim and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us.
Tie this back to what we are told at the start of Luke 24 – that it was the first day of the week, and there is a rock we cannot budge.
Luke 24:1-3
1 And on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared,
2 and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 And having entered, they did not find the body of the Master Yahushua.
Luke’s account only speaks of 3 days.
The book of John
Let’s see just how many days the book of John speaks of from the time Yahushua died on the 14th day of the month to the time He was risen on the first day of the week.
The day Yahushua was crucified on was the Passover:
John 18:39-40
39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
The same day, the 14th at even, He died.
John 19:30-31
30 So when Yahushua took the sour wine He said, “It has been accomplished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 THEREFORE, SINCE IT WAS THE PREPARATION {DAY} THAT THE BODIES SHOULD NOT REMAIN ON THE STAKE ON THE SABBATH….
Yahushua died on the 14th it was referred to as the Preparation day and the Sabbath was approaching.
– for that Sabbath was a high one – the Yehuḏim asked Pilate to have their legs broken, and that they be taken away.
John 19:31 -42
31 Since it was the day of Preparation [for the Sabbath], in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high holy day) the Jews asked Pilate to have their legs broken [to hasten death] and the bodies taken away.
32 Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was impaled with Him,
33 but when they came to Yahushua and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and instantly blood and water came out.
35 And he who has seen has witnessed, and his witness is true. And he knows that he is speaking the truth, in order that you might believe.
36 For this took place in order for the Scripture to be filled: “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 And after this, Yosĕph of Ramathayim, being a taught one of Yahushua, but secretly, for fear of the Yehuḏim, asked Pilate that he might take the body of Yahushua, and Pilate gave permission. Therefore he came and took the body of Yahushua.
9 And Naḵdimon, who at first came to Yahushua by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
40 Then they took the body of Yahushua, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as was the habit of the Yehuḏim for burial.
41 And at the place where He was impaled there was a garden, and in the garden a fresh tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
42 There, then, BECAUSE OF THE PREPARTION OF THE YAHUDIM, they laid Yahushua, because the tomb was near.
Yahushua died on the 14th, the preparation day. The Sabbath was approaching; which is the 7th day.
John 20:1
1 And on the first day of the week Miryam from Magdala came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
The first day of the week was the 16th day of the month; which came after the Sabbath (15) that came after the Preparation day (14).
14, 15, 16
John’s account only speaks of 3 days.
Mark 9:31
For He was teaching His taught ones and said to them, “The Son of Aḏam is being delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him. And having been killed, He shall rise the third day.
Everyone of these accounts matches identically to what Yahushua says here and about 12 or so other places. Delivered into the hands of men and killed (day 1), rested in the grave on the Sabbath (day 2), rose in the morning of the third day.
All four of these accounts tell us the same thing.
14th impalement (first day)
15th in the grave (second day)
16th He is risen (the third day)
Within the book of Nicodemus we also find the following:
Nicodemus 9:5-7
5 In like manner Joseph, when he came to the Jews, said to them Why are ye angry with me for desiring the body of Jesus of Pilate? Behold, I have put him in my tomb, and wrapped him up in clean linen, and put a stone at the door of the sepulchre:
6 I have acted rightly towards him; but ye have acted unjustly aghast that just person, in crucifying him, giving him vinegar to drink, crowning him with thorns, tearing his body with whips, and prayed down the guilt of his blood upon you.
7 The Jews at the hearing of this were disquieted, and troubled; and they seized Joseph, and commanded him to be put in custody before the sabbath, and kept there till the sabbath was over.
8 And they said to him, Make confession; for at this time it is not lawful to do thee any harm, till the first day of the week come. But we know that thou wilt not be thought worthy of a burial; but we will give thy flesh to the birds of the air, and the beasts of the earth.
…12 The elders of the Jews hearing these words, were exceedingly enraged; and seizing Joseph, they put him into a chamber where there was no window; they fastened the door, and put a seal upon the lock;
13 And Annas and Caiaphas placed a guard upon it, and took counsel with the priests and Levites, that they should all meet after the sabbath, and they contrived to what death they should put Joseph.
14 When they had done this, the rulers, Annas and Caiaphas, ordered Joseph to be brought forth.
Nicodemus 10
1 When all the assembly heard this, they admired and were astonished, because they found the same seal upon the lock of the chamber, and could not find Joseph.
2 Then Annas and Caiaphas went forth, and while they were all admiring at Joseph’s being gone, behold one of the soldiers, who kept the sepulchre of Yahushua, spake in the assembly.
3 That while they were guarding the sepulchre of Yahushua, there was an earthquake; and we saw an angel of God roll away the stone of the sepulchre and sit upon it;
4 And his countenance was like lightning and his garment like snow; and we became through fear like persons dead.
5 And we heard an angel saying to the women at the sepulchre of Yahushua, Do not fear; I know that you seek Yahushua who was crucified; he is risen as he foretold.
6 Come and see the place where he was laid; and go presently, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead, and he will go before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him as he told you.
14th impalement (first day)
15th in the grave (second day)
16th He is risen (the third day)
Full text can be found here: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob10.htm
The Calendar of Scripture 