What Day Was Jesus Crucified?
A few years ago, I asked our church members what day they believed Jesus was crucified. The obvious answer was Friday as we always look at Good Friday as the remembrance of the crucifixion. Nevertheless, the day of choice is not universally accepted.
Historically, Baptists have not regularly celebrated Holy Week. This is likely due to it being “too Roman Catholic” for some. However, in recent years, more Baptist churches have taken to highlighting certain aspects of Holy Week. So, what is "Holy Week" or "Passion Week?" This is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Passion Week is so named because of the passion Jesus expressed on his journey to the cross.[1] The traditional days of Passion Week are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy (also called Black) Saturday. It's described in all four gospels and begins with the triumphal entry of Christ on a colt, as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.
Good Friday precedes Easter Sunday and is celebrated as the traditional day on which Jesus was crucified. The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember Christ's death by honoring the moment on a certain day. The Bible gives us freedom in these matters (Romans 14:4). Whether Christians or churches choose to "celebrate" Good Friday, the events of the day should be ever on our minds.
The Question Regarding the Day
The days of Holy Week appear to be set. However, when you read the accounts of the crucifixion and the prophecies Jesus made himself about his death it seems there may be a number problem. At least some believe so.
The Bible does not explicitly state the day of the crucifixion. There are two widely held views by theologians. Most common is that Jesus died on Friday. Yet, a good number over the years have shifted to a Wednesday crucifixion. There are still others now who have decided Thursday is the day.
Traditionally, Friday has been the day. According to this, Jesus was crucified in AD 30 and the day of preparation was Passover (Friday, Nisan 14.) The meal would be eaten that day in preparation for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, beginning on Saturday (Nisan 15.)[1]
The debates that lead to a Thursday or Wednesday crucifixion are compelling. The Wednesday believers hold that there were two Sabbaths on the Passover wee on the year of Christ’s crucifixion. The Thursday believers focus on the day being Preparation Day or High Sabbath. This would be another two Sabbath understanding. Each of these arguments are believable and could lead to many debates among believers. (More on this here.)
I doubt seriously that debating the day serves as an evangelistic apologetic for the unsaved. Therefore, not unlike many other interesting items connected to biblical teaching, this conversation may be interesting.
The Problem With This Issue
Far too many Christians find themselves lost in the weeds of the “biblically interesting.”
Reading books about theology and scripture are recommended. However, discernment should abound when determining which are worth the time and effort. Sadly, sensationalism sells. This is what fuels the sales of many books categorized as Christian in the bookstores and online. These best-sellers launch doubts and debates on such things that are not paramount, and definitely not first-tier theological issues. Subjects centered on end-times prophecies, misappropriated scriptures about America, heaven tourism, or such fringe “faith studies” pull the well-intended Christian into reading and recommending these extra-biblical, non-biblical, and confusing books to their friends (books such as The Bible Code, The Harbinger, The Shack, the Left Behind series, etc.)
Therefore, I am certain an book focused on creating confusion regarding the day of the week Jesus died would sell. Many would likely read it. And the church would not be strengthened.
Does it matter what day Jesus was crucified? Yes. All these details in scripture matter, but in this case, what matters more is understanding why Jesus died and what followed.
The day of crucifixion may be debated, but the day of resurrection is clear. Jesus rose on the first day of the week. The day after the Sabbath is declared as resurrection day in Matthew 28. The Lord’s Day becomes the day of worship and supersedes the Old Testament. This much is sure. Also true is that which matters most. Jesus did die. He did remain dead for three days, as scripture prophesied. Ultimately, on that third day (regardless how it is counted) Jesus rose again. This is the truth. This is what we celebrate every Lord’s Day, and especially on Easter.
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[1] GotQuestions.org. “On What Day was Jesus Crucified?” GotQuestions.Org, 28 Oct. 2003, https://www.gotquestions.org/three-days.html
