The claim that Jesus was in the grave for three days is a central tenet of Christian theology. This period, often referred to as the “three days and three nights,” is crucial because it fulfills prophecy and signifies the time between Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection. The phrase “three days” is not just a matter of historical record but carries profound theological, spiritual, and eschatological implications. In this article, we will explore the biblical basis for the belief that Jesus was in the grave for three days, analyze relevant scriptures, and examine the cultural and historical context of this belief.
1. The Biblical Basis: Key Scriptures
The concept of Jesus being in the grave for three days is grounded in several key biblical passages. The most direct reference is found in the Gospels, where Jesus Himself predicts His death and resurrection.
Matthew 12:40 (NIV)
One of the clearest references is found in Matthew 12:40, where Jesus states:
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
This verse draws a direct parallel between the experience of the prophet Jonah and the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish is used as a typological foreshadowing of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
Mark 8:31 (NIV)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gives another prediction of His death and resurrection:
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”
This verse emphasizes that Jesus will rise “after three days,” which has been interpreted to mean that the resurrection would take place after a period that included parts of three days.
Luke 24:7 (NIV)
Another reference is found in Luke 24:7, where the angel at the tomb reminds the women:
“The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”
Here, the phrase “on the third day” indicates the timing of the resurrection, which is consistent with the Jewish reckoning of time, where any part of a day is considered a whole day.
2. Understanding Jewish Time Reckoning
To fully understand the phrase “three days and three nights,” it is essential to consider how time was reckoned in ancient Jewish culture. Unlike modern Western culture, which tends to count time in precise 24-hour periods, the Jewish method of counting days was more inclusive.
Inclusive Counting
In Jewish timekeeping, a part of a day is considered a full day. This method is known as “inclusive reckoning.” Thus, any part of a day, whether it be day or night, would count as a whole day. For example, if an event occurred late on a Friday and concluded early on a Sunday, it would still be counted as three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Day and Night Structure
According to Jewish custom, a day begins at sunset and ends at the following sunset. This structure is based on the creation account in Genesis, where each day is marked from evening to morning:
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
(Genesis 1:5 NIV)
Therefore, when the New Testament refers to “three days and three nights,” it does not necessarily indicate three full 24-hour periods but rather parts of three different days, according to Jewish reckoning.
3. Chronology of the Crucifixion and Resurrection
The traditional understanding of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, based on the Gospels, places His crucifixion on a Friday and His resurrection on the following Sunday. This timeline is consistent with the inclusive reckoning of three days.
Good Friday
According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified on the “day of Preparation,” which is Friday, the day before the Sabbath (Mark 15:42). This day is known as Good Friday. Jesus died at approximately 3 p.m. and was buried before the Sabbath began at sunset (around 6 p.m.).
Holy Saturday
The day after Jesus’ crucifixion, known as Holy Saturday, is considered the Sabbath. It was a day of rest and mourning for the disciples and followers of Jesus. His body remained in the tomb during this period, fulfilling the prophecy of being in the grave.
Resurrection Sunday
Early on the first day of the week, which is Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. This event is described in all four Gospels, with variations in detail but consistency in the core fact of the resurrection. The discovery of the empty tomb is reported by women who went to anoint Jesus’ body (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1, John 20:1).
4. Harmonizing Apparent Discrepancies
Some critics argue that the phrase “three days and three nights” does not align with a Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection. They suggest that a literal interpretation would require a longer period in the grave. However, these discrepancies can be harmonized by understanding Jewish idiomatic expressions and time reckoning.
Jewish Idioms
The phrase “three days and three nights” is likely an idiomatic expression, not meant to be taken with strict literalism. In Jewish idiom, “a day and a night” can refer to any part of a day. Thus, “three days and three nights” could simply mean “three days,” in line with the inclusive reckoning.
Different Gospel Phrasings
The Gospels themselves use slightly different phrasings to describe the time period. Matthew’s Gospel uses “three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40), while other Gospels use “after three days” (Mark 8:31) or “on the third day” (Luke 24:7). These variations reflect different ways of expressing the same truth within the context of Jewish timekeeping.
5. Theological Significance of the Three Days
The three-day period is not just a matter of historical record; it holds deep theological significance within the Christian faith.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
The three days in the grave fulfill Old Testament prophecies and foreshadowings. Jesus Himself referred to the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:40), drawing a parallel between Jonah’s entrapment in the belly of the fish and His own death and resurrection. This typological fulfillment underscores Jesus as the Messiah who fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
Victory Over Death
The resurrection on the third day symbolizes Jesus’ victory over death and sin. By rising from the grave, Jesus demonstrates His power over death, affirming His divinity and the truth of His teachings. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, as articulated by the Apostle Paul:
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
(1 Corinthians 15:17 NIV)
Eschatological Hope
The three-day period also has eschatological implications. It points to the future resurrection of believers, who are promised new life through Christ’s victory. Just as Jesus was raised on the third day, so too will believers be raised to eternal life. This hope is encapsulated in Jesus’ own words:
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
(John 11:25 NIV)
The Early Church and Apostolic Preaching
The belief in Jesus’ resurrection on the third day was foundational to the preaching of the early Church. The apostles consistently preached the resurrection as the fulfillment of the Scriptures and as evidence of Jesus’ messianic identity.
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter refers to Jesus’ resurrection as the fulfillment of Psalm 16:10, where David writes:
“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay.”
(Acts 2:27 NIV)
Peter argues that this prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection, as He was not abandoned to the grave, and His body did not see decay.
Paul’s Teaching
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the resurrection on the third day in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul summarizes the core message of the Gospel:
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Paul’s emphasis on the resurrection “according to the Scriptures” highlights its prophetic fulfillment and its central place in the Christian faith.
Conclusion:
The Power of Three Days
The belief that Jesus was in the grave for three days is more than a mere historical assertion; it is a profound theological truth that resonates through the fabric of Christian doctrine. These three days mark the transition from death to life, from despair to hope, and from defeat to victory. They stand as a testament to the power of God to overcome the greatest enemy—death itself.
Through understanding the biblical texts, the Jewish cultural context, and the theological implications, we gain a richer appreciation for this cornerstone of the Christian faith. The three days in the grave remind believers of the promise of resurrection, the assurance of salvation, and the hope of eternal life. As the early Church proclaimed and as Christians continue to celebrate, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.”