THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS - WHAT WAS JESUS TO ACCOMPLISH

By Dennis Schmidt 9/2012

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This paper discusses what could of occurred during the three days and nights between Jesus death and resurrection. Also discussed is my view on why I think Jesus died on Friday and 3 days and 3 nights is not exactly equal to 72 hours. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

Matthew 12:39-40 "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: {40} For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

This paper will try to answer the following three questions:

Question #1: Was three days and three nights equal to 72 hours?

Question #2: What did Jesus need to do during that time?

Question #3: Why was Jesus death on Friday?

#1 WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS EQUAL TO 72 HOURS? The 3 days & 3 nights statement is found in several Old Testament scriptures.

1 Samuel 30:12 "And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk <any> water, three days and three nights." The person in verse 13 says he was ill for 3 days. The impression is about 3 days not exactly 72 hrs.

Esther 4:16 "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which <is> not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Esther does not means exactly 72 hours.

Esther 5:1 "Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on <her> royal <apparel>, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house." On or during the third day is not equal to exactly 72 hrs.

Luke 24:21 "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." Today or during the third day is not equal to exactly 72 hours. How is 3 days and 3 nights fulfilled from Jesus death to his resurrection? The part of any day is equivalent to meaning a whole day. If a Jewish baby boy is born either the day or night that is one day towards the eight day period for circumcision. In the parable of the labors in the vineyard, in verse 2, is the statement "Penny for a day". Later Jesus said each was paid for a day work even when some worked less. Matthew 20:1-2,10-12,15 "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man <that is> an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. {2} And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. {10} But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. {11} And when they had received <it>, they murmured against the goodman of the house, {12} Saying, These last have wrought <but> one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. {15} Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"

If a person is saved at an early age or on the death bed, in God's eyes, they are equivalent and each receives the same eternal life.

Mark 15:25,34 "And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. {34} And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Jewish day is 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and night is 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The third hour is 9:00 AM and the ninth hours is 3:00 PM. Jesus died shortly thereafter.

72 hours is not needed for 3 days and 3 nights since Jesus died and was buried about 4 PM Friday (part of Friday equals the first complete day). He was in the grave over the Sabbath (the second days was a complete day). Jesus arose from the grave after the sun was up on Sunday at about 7:00 AM (this is only a small part of the third day which equals a complete day). If Jesus died about 3-4 PM and arose 6-7 AM, then he was not dead 3 exact days and 3 exact nights or even 72 hours.

Mark 16:2 "And very early in the morning the first <day> of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."

#2 WHAT JESUS DID DURING THE 3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS PERIOD.

Remove Satan's Power and Authority:

Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." It (Jesus death) bruise head (Satan's authority) and thou (Satan) bruise his heel (temporary wound to Jesus kingdom when the disciples saw him die).

Luke 24:21 "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." Jesus, all power, removed Satan's power.

Matthew 4:8-9 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; {9} And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Satan's power.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Jesus took power.

John 12:31-33 "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. {32} And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all <men> unto me. {33} This he said, signifying what death he should die." Satan lost his authority.

Ephesians 2:2 "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"

John 14:30 "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."

Give authority to believers:

Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;" Now we can cast out devils by/in the name of Jesus.

Give everlasting/eternal life to believers:

John 3:14-16 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: {15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. {16} For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

1 John 5:13 "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

Remove fear of Satan and death from believers:

Hebrews 2:14-15 "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; {15} And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

1 John 3:2 "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Go to Paradise for Old Testament believers & bring them up to God:

Luke 23:40-43 "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? {41} And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. {42} And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. {43} And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Jesus went to Paradise which was in the heart of the earth. The location of Paradise then, but later it was up.

Matthew 12:40 "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."

2 Corinthians 12:4 "How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words,which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

Jesus Preached (proclaimed) unto the lost people in prison:

1 Peter 3:18-20 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: {19} By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; {20} Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."

Luke 16:19-26 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: {20} And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, {21} And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. {22} And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; {23} And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. {24} And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. {25} But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. {26} And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that <would come> from thence." Abraham's Bosom is Paradise.

A great gulf separates the two areas and both groups are locked up. Jesus took the keys of Hell and of Death.

Jesus took the keys from Satan (the authority of Satan):

Revelation 1:18 "I <am> he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Jesus proclaimed his authority over all things.

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

2 Corinthians 12:3 "And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) {4} How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

Ephesians 4:8-10 "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" Jesus went down and released the Old Testament believers.

Matthew 27:52-53 "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, {53} And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Some were allowed to go into the city & all went to heaven.

#3 WHY JESUS DEATH WAS ON FRIDAY

Jesus had a Passover with his Disciples:

(Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-22)

Leviticus 23:5-7 "In the fourteenth <day> of the first month at even <is> the Lord's passover. {6} And on the fifteenth day of the same month <is> the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. {7} In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein."

Sometimes the first days are also Passover Cedar (feast days).

Matthew 26:17-20 "Now the first <day> of the <feast of> unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? {18} And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. {19} And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. {20} Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve." Many lambs were to be offered in the temple. Also, Jews were to come to Jerusalem for this feast. With so many people, the Passover was acceptable over two days for the slaying of the lambs. Even today, two days are observed for passover. Jesus observed the Passover with his disciple the first day and was our Passover (Himself) during the temple slaying the second day.

1 Corinthians 5:7 "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:" The Passover is from the Jews history of Egypt were God killed the first born of any home which did not have a lamb's blood on the door posts of the house. We likewise must have Jesus blood on our door post of our heart or we will die (spiritual death - separation from God - eternal hell).

The Jewish calendar has Lunar months. The Passover can be traced exactly to the Wednesday of the week Jesus died. The Hebrew day changed at sun set to the next day. That Thursday the disciples asked Jesus about the Passover service (Cedar). The time was early day about 10:00 AM. The disciples would buy the lamb and wait several hours on line at the temple to offer the lamb to God.

Mark 14:12 "And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?"

It was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread so the Cedar with Jesus disciples occurred on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Friday started and Jesus had the Passover service. The lamb's blood had been put on the alter in the temple. It needed to be cooked the afternoon. The second day Passover would start after sun down Friday, which is the Sabbath. No work of any type is allowed on the Sabbath so all preparations needed to be complete before sun down. Work was permitted for the two Passover preparations, but since John 19:31 says the bodies were to be taken from the cross before the start of the Sabbath of Friday at 6:00 PM.

John 19:31 "The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and <that> they might be taken away."

A high day in Judaism is a Saturday Sabbath day and a feast day combined as the second Passover day which started at sun down Friday night at 6:00 PM.

This paper has shown that 3 days and 3 nights did not equal exactly 72 hours. For if Jesus had to be in the grave exactly 72 hours then one second after 72 hours would means he arose on the fourth day not the third day as the Bible stated. The paper also pointed out that Jesus had to go to Paradise to be with the other person who died on the cross. I believe he also proclaimed his victory over Satan and the lost souls. He took the keys of death and Hell. He took the captive Old Testament saints to a new Paradise in the third Heaven. The last point is Jesus died on a Friday.

More important than what day was his death is that he paid the price for the sinner. If you trust in him for the forgiveness of your sins, then you also can know you have eternal life with God.

Several points presented are from 3 days and 3 nights by Joseph Hoffman Cohn - Chosen People Ministries Inc. 1300 Cross Beam Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217-2800

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