From Strong's Greek Dictionary G5154: τρίτος trítos, pronounced: tree'-tos; Strong's Interpretation: third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly; KJV Translation(s):--third(-ly).
Every use of the English word "third" in the following Bible texts was translated from the Greek word "trítos".
How Days Were Counted, according to Jesus
Luke 13:31-33 ~ 31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
Here we see Jesus defining how the days were counted during His time on Earth. "to day" is the first day. "to morrow" is the second day and the "day following" "to morrow" is the third day.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two of His followers, who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus...
Luke 24:18-23 ~ 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him(Jesus), Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
From Luke 24:1,13 we can see that this is one of the scenes from "the first day of the week", the day that Jesus was resurected by His Father(Over 20 Bible Verses => http://sidnash.org/docs/WhoRaisedJesus.html). On this "first day of the week", it was said that it was the "third day since" Jesus was crucified.
Using Jesus' definition of how days were counted, He was crucified on the previous 6th day of the week.
Jesus prophesied and it was later verified that He would be raised on the third day
Matthew 16:21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Matthew 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
Luke 18:33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 24:1,7,20-21,46 Now upon the first day of the week... 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. ... 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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... 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Acts 10:39-40 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 3 ... Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
From this, it seems obvious that Christ was crucified on the 6th day and raised on the 1st day. However, Scripture reveals more information.
Three Nights?
Strong's Hebrew DictionaryH3117: יוֹם yôwm, yome; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Notice the multiple meanings of the word "yôwm". The English word "day(s)" in the texts below was translated from the Greek word "yôwm";
Jonah 1:17 And Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Matthew 12:40 for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
"Three days", in the way Jesus defined "third day", is consistent what we've already seen. However, we must ask, how is it that Christ was in the grave for "three nights"? According to many "witnesses" above, Christ was only in the grave two nights -- of the 7th and of the 1st weekly days. This seems to be a contradiction. However, let's look at a piece of the Creation story:
Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (the twice-used word "day" were both translated from the same Hebrew word "yôwm", but with different meanings)
Notice that God called the combination of day and night, a single day. This gives the word "day(yôwm)" a dual meaning, in agreement with Strong's Concordance: 1) the light part of the day; 2) a full 24 hour day. In Jonah 1:17(quoted above), could it be that "three days and three nights" simply meant parts of 3 "evening and the morning" 24-hour days? If so, wouldn't that be consistent with Jesus' words: "they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again"(Mt 17:23)? I think so...
Is there any other reason why Jesus could not have been dead more than 3(inclusive) days? Yes! Otherwise, His body would have seen corruption, in direct contradiction to Scripture. Explained here => http://sidnash.org/BibleWords/diaphthora.html
What about the "Ordinance" of the Passover?
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:
From this, we can see that the Passover Lamb of the Jehovah-ordained Passover ordinance in Exodus 12 represents Jesus. ( http://sidnash.org/docs/Passover.html )
Here is a day-by-day comparison of the original Passover/feast and the events before Christ's death until after His resurrection. I will show the day of the week and the day of the first month [Abib/Nisan(Exodus13:4)] of the Jewish calendar. Remember that each day starts in the evening(likely sunset) and lasts till just before the next evening ("the evening and the morning were the first day(Gen1:5)"):
Wednesday-Thursday, Abib/Nisan 12-13:
Luke 22:1-2 ~ 1 Now the feast of unleavened bread[Adib15 (Exodus 12:14-16;Leviticus23:6)] drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
Matthew 26:2-12 ~ 2Ye know that after two days is the feast of[unleavened bread... called..."(Luke22:1)] the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 ¶ Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day[Abid15], lest there be an uproar among the people.[so instead, they took Him one day earlier, in the night of Abid14] 6 ¶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial... 14 ¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Thursday, Abib/Nisan 13
Luke 22:7 Then came the day of unleavened bread [Abib14(Exodus12:2,9)], when the passover must be killed [Abib14(Exodus12:2-6)]. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.
Mark 14:16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.17 And in the evening[Greek: ópsios; noon to sunset]he[Christ] cometh with the twelve.
Thursday-Friday, Abib/Nisan 13-14:
Luke 22:15 And he[Christ] said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 ¶ And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 ¶ I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast[This would indicate that the feast had not yet begun]; or, that he should give something to the poor.
Friday, Abib/Nisan 14:
John 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night[after sunset - beginning of Abib/Nisan 14]... 37 Peter said unto him... I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Note that on the following early morning(Fri the 14th), the Passover meal had not yet been eaten: John 18:28-29 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them...
John 19:14 Now it was the Preparation of the passover.... And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! 15 They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified. 17 They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha: 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS... 23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments...
Matthew 27:45,46,50-54,57-64 ~ 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 ¶ And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said... 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God... 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? ... 50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; 52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. 54 Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. ... 57 And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus` disciple: 58 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up. 59 And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Can we know Precisely When Jesus Died? Perhaps, see => https://www.ncregister.com/blog/7-clues-tell-us-precisely-when-jesus-died-the-year-month-day-and-hour-revealed
John 19:28-38 ~ 28 ... Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst.[Psalm69:21]29 There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation["the day before the sabbath" and the Passover(Mark15:42;John19:14)], that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him: 33 but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. 35 And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.[Psalm34:20;Numbers9:12;Exodus12:46] 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.[Zechariah12:10;Revelation1:7] 38 And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.
Mark 15:42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,[also Luke 23:54;John19:14]43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
John 19:39-42 ~ 39 And there came alsoNicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid.[John19:41;Luke23:53;Matthew27:60] 42 There then because of the Jews` Preparation[Mark15:42;Luke 23:54;John19:14] (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.
Matthew 27:60-61 ~ 60 and laid it in his[Joseph of Arimathaea's(John19:38)] own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
Sabbath, Abib/Nisan 15 (first day of the feast of unleavened bread, a "holy convocation"):
Matthew 27:62-64~ 62 Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation [Abib/Nisan 15, the first day of "the feast of unleavened bread", "an holy convocation"(Leviticus23:5)], the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, 63 saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.[see above for 7 verses about Jesus saying He would raise on the third day] 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure untilthe third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.
Sunday, Abib/Nisan 16
John 20:1-18 ~ 1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 ¶ Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Luke 24:18-23 ~ 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him (Jesus) , Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them,What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
Luke 24:33-48 ~ 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 ¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Preparation Day Info
Strong's Greek Dictionary G3904: παρασκευή paraskeuḗ, par-ask-yoo-ay'; readiness (KJV Translation):--preparation. (used only 6 times, as shown below)
John 19:14,31 ~ 14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! ...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.
Mark 15:42-43 ~ 42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Luke 23:53-54 ~ 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Matthew 27:62 ¶ Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.
Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Matt4:4)
-Sid Nash: 12/19/2024. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/docs/TimingJesusD&R.html