Christ's Prediction of His Time In the Grave

This "Notes From The Margin of My Bible" article appeared in the November 1989 edition of the "Christian Courier". It was written by Wayne Jackson.

Christ predicted that he would be raised from the dead "the third day" (Matthew 16:21). However, He also declared that He would rise "after three days" (Mark 8:31). To complicate matters, Jesus further stated that He would be in the grave "three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40). These references, which some see as disharmonious, puzzle sincere Bible students. What is the explanation?

The solution lies in understanding how the Hebrews measured time. According to a common Hebrew idiom, any part of a day could be counted as the whole day and night (ct. John Lightfoot, Commentary on the NT from the Talmud & Hebraica, II, pp. 210,11). There are many examples of such usage in the Scriptures.

(1) The rain of the flood was upon the earth "forty days and forty nights," or simple "forty days" (Genesis 7:12, 17). (2) In First Samuel 30:12, 13, "three days and three nights" and "three days" are equivalent. (3) When Israel asked Rehoboam to lighten its burdens, he said: "Depart ye for three days, then come again to me." They returned on "the third day" (cf. First Kings 12:5,12). (4) When Esther was about to risk entrance into the king's presence, she requested her fellow Jews to neither "eat nor drink three days, night or day," but on "the third day" she went in unto the king" (Esther 4:16; 5:1). (5) Finally, note this: The Pharisees said to Pilate, "This deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command, therefore, that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day" (Matthew 27:63,64).

One must understand, therefore, how the Hebrews computed time. Our Lord did not contradict Himself! Is it not significant that no Jew ever accused Him of such in connection with His resurrection prophecies? Thus, underline Matthew 12:40 and, in the margin of your Bible enter some of these parallel time references. Such notes will help you in explaining this seeming Bible difficulty.