The week of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah

Nisan, the first month of the Jewish year, prior to Passover

The chief priests and Pharisees met to discuss Jesus and decide how to deal with Him...they decided to kill Him before the Passover Feast begins.  Jesus and the disciples were staying in a village called Ephraim, away from Jerusalem where the crowds were gathering in preparation for the Passover Feast.  But, as they were preparing to head towards Jerusalem, Jesus began trying to prepare His disciples for what was to occur there.

"Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.  So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.  Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea.  Instead He withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover.  They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?”  But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him."  John 11:47-57

"Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon,  and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”  But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said."  Luke 18:31-34




Saturday, Nisan the 9th (Sabbath prior to Passover Festival)

Five days before Passover, Saturday Nisan the 9th.  John notes that six days before the Passover, on Friday the 8th of Nisan,  Jesus and His disciples left Ephraim and came to Bethany where both Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and Simon the Leper lived.  It was during supper the next evening when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair.  Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem and Jesus and the disciples stayed in Bethany and went to Jerusalem each day.

"Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.  Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denari and given to poor people?”  Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.  Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.  For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.  The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.  But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;  because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus."   John 12:1-11


Sunday, Nisan the 10th ("Palm Sunday")

Four days before Passover, Sunday Nisan the 10th.  As Jesus and His disciples approached Jerusalem, near the Mount of Olives, He sent a couple of the disciples on ahead.  They were told they would find a donkey tied up, along with her colt, and to bring them back for Him to ride upon as they entered Jerusalem.  Jesus rode the donkey for a while, and then sat upon the colt as he entered Jerusalem.  A king riding a donkey was a symbol that the king was coming to rule in peace.  Jesus riding a donkey as He entered into Jerusalem was also how King David had his son Solomon anointed as king (1 Kings 1:32-35).  Both Zechariah and Jacob prophesy about this sign of the Messiah (Zech. 9:9, Genesis 49:10-11).  In Revelation we are told that Jesus will return a second time, but this time on a white horse as conquering King!  

Many Jews were in Jerusalem for the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.  When they heard Jesus was coming, they took palm branches and laid them in the street before Him, and shouted "Hosanna!"  This was the custom of honoring a king's entry into a city, and showed they were accepting Jesus as a great prophet and performer of miracles (after the recent raising of Lazarus from the dead).  The entire triumphal entry was symbolic of the whole household of Israel (those gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast) choosing for themselves an unblemished male lamb (Jesus) for the Passover sacrifice.   (Mt.21, Mk.11, Lk.19, Jn.12)

"The next day, the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written,“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.  So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify about Him.  For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”  John 12:12-19

"Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them, and he will send them at once.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion,‘Behold, your king is coming to you,humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”  And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”  And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”  And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there."  Mt. 21:1-17

"Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household... Your lamb shall be an unblemished male..."  Exodus 12:3-6 

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."  Zechariah 9:9

"The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.  He ties his donkey to a vine, and the colt of his donkey to the choice vine."  Genesis 49:10-11

"Know and understand this:  From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks."  Daniel 9:25



Monday, Nisan the 11th

Three days before Passover, Monday Nisan the 11th.  Jesus again spent the night in Bethany at the home of Simon the Leper and in the morning returned to Jerusalem. On the way He was hungry and found a fig tree that appeared as if it should be producing fruit, but with no figs on it. Jesus cursed the fig tree saying "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." The tree withered immediately.  Israel's spiritual condition is symbolized in the Old Testament by the Fig Tree (Hosea 9:10 ...I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season.Joel 1:6-7 ...It has made my vine a waste, and my fig tree splinters).  Jesus is pronouncing the condemnation of Israel for their rejection of the Messiah, symbolized by their failure to provide fruit when it indicated there should be fruit.  

During these days leading up to Passover, Jesus goes daily to the temple and while teaching is being questioned by the religious leaders.  This symbolizes the examination of the Paschal Lamb for four days (chosen Palm Sunday and examined until Thursday the day of Passover) to confirm that it is without spot or blemish (Ex. 12:3-6).    (Mt.21, Mk.11, Lk.21, Jn.12)

"On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry.  Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.  Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.  When evening came, they would go out of the city." Mk. 11:12-19

"Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.  And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him" Lk. 21:37-38

"Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household... Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.  You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight."  Exodus 12:3-6 

Tuesday, Nisan the 12th

Two days before Passover, Tuesday the 12th of Nisan. Today Jesus and His disciples again return to Jerusalem.  On the way, they pass by the fig tree which Jesus had cursed the day before and discover that it is withered from the roots up.  The disciples are astonished at this, but Jesus tells them to just have faith and they can move mountains.  Jesus teaches at the Temple area and there observes the widow giving her two "widow's mites" as a tithe.  Also during this time-frame, the Chief Priests were looking for some way to arrest and kill Jesus. Judas meets with the Chief Priests and agrees to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver.  Jesus and His disciples leave Jerusalem and again return to the home of Simon the Leper in Bethany for the night.  

As Jesus and the disciples are leaving Jerusalem to return to Bethany, they stop at the Mount of Olives where Jesus gives the Olivet Discourse or Prophecy. He is explaining to His disciples what will occur during the end times, and is asked when all of this will occur. Jesus responds by saying:  “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.  For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming."  (Mt. 24:32-42)

The fig tree putting forth leaves is symbolic of how there will be signs which indicate that summer (the end times) is near.   Jesus is saying that the generation that experiences this sign will not pass away before everything He describes comes to pass.  

"When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be handed over for crucifixion.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”  Mt. 26:1-5 
(Mt.24 & 25, Mk.11, Lk. 21, Jn. 12)

"As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” And Jesus *answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." Mark 11:20-24

"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.  The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.  And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money.  So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. " Luke 22:1-6

"Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people.” ...Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time."  Mark 14:1-11

Wednesday, Nisan the 13th

One day before Passover, Wednesday the 13th of Nisan. Jesus sends Peter and John ahead to Jerusalem to look for a man carrying a pitcher of water.  This man He tells them will provide a guest room (the upper room) where Jesus will eat a Passover meal with His disciples. The meal is prepared and eaten after sundown (at the start of the 14th of Nisan).  John. 13:1

It is important to explain here that Jewish days begin at sundown the evening before. So, the meal that Jesus ate with His disciples was actually on the 14th of Nisan, the day of Passover. It was technically a “Passover” meal, but not THE Passover Meal. The meal contained many aspects of a Passover (Paschal) Seder meal, but was missing one key ingredient…the lamb. The Gospel accounts explain that there was bread, wine, and even a hymn sung afterwards. However, there is not one mention of lamb being served which is the key ingredient of the meal. Of course we know that Jesus was our Paschal Lamb, sacrificed for all mankind (Jn1:29).  Also, the Greek word used in all four Gospels to describe the bread eaten was "arton", plain everyday bread. The Greek word for unleavened bread, the kind which must be eaten at the Passover Feast as directed by God and recorded by Moses, was "azymon." Lastly, the meal was not eaten on the correct day.  The meal was a meal shared with His disciples at the very start of Passover, but not the actual Passover Feast meal which occurs after sundown on the 15th of Nisan, after the Passover lambs are slain (Exodus 12).

At this meal, Jesus takes the bread and breaks it and gives it to His disciples saying "this represents my body, do this in remembrance of me."  Jesus then takes the wine and pours it into a cup and gives it to each one of them to drink from saying "This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."   This act of remembrance becomes known as the Lord's Supper and is mentioned several times throughout the epistles.  Jesus also explains the meaning of the Lord’s Supper He is instituting. This is the New Covenant of His blood, which replaces and completes the previous covenant of the Law which could not reconcile us back to God. Only Jesus' sacrificial offering on the cross, the shedding of His precious blood, could be the perfect covering of our sins and reconcile us back to our God.

During supper, Jesus takes a basin of water and washes the feet of his Disciples.  When they begin to protest, He explains that we should follow His example and do likewise to each other. The act is symbolic and represents the act of being forgiven, and of forgiving others. We are to ask forgiveness of our sins (the dirt we get on our feet in our daily walk through this life) from God, and we are to forgive others as well (washing the dirt off of their feet). I consider this symbolic act of foot washing and forgiveness to be an integral part of the Lord's Supper.  Paul references forgiveness and the condition of a Christ Follower who partakes in the Lord's Supper in his letter to the Corinthian Christians (I Cor. 11:23-34). 
( I Cor.5:7, I Peter 1:18-19, Rev.13:8, Isaiah 53:7)

"Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed (note:  The Lord's Supper took place after sundown on Wednesday which would make it the start of the 14th day of Nisan.  This confirms that the meal took place on the day the Passover Lambs were slain, which would have been at around 3pm on Thursday the 14th).  And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”  They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters.  And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’  And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.  When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."  Luke 22:7-20

Thursday, Nisan the 14th (Passover)

The day of Passover, Thursday the 14th of Nisan.  As described yesterday, Jesus kept a “Passover Meal” with his Disciples. During the meal, Judas commits to the betrayal of Jesus and leaves to meet with the Sanhedrin religious leaders. Jesus then leads His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prays that God will keep and protect His followers (you and me). Judas appears with soldiers who arrest Jesus. During the night and early morning hours Jesus is being questioned by the Sanhedrin.  Nearby, Peter is pointed out as a follower of Jesus and denies knowing Him three times, just as Jesus predicted he would do. In the morning, Jesus is taken before Herod and then Pilate at around 9 a.m., the third hour of the day. He is beaten and then crucified at around noon, the sixth hour. Darkness falls over the land from noon till about 3 p.m., the ninth hour.

At the same exact time Jesus is being crucified, the Paschal (Passover) lambs are being killed for the Passover Seder Meal which takes place after sundown. Jesus becomes our Passover Lamb, shedding His blood for our sins (I Corinthians 5:7).  During the trial of Jesus by Pilate earlier in the day, the Sanhedrin refused to enter the building so that they would not be defiled, in order that they might eat the Passover meal later that evening. To enter into a Gentile’s space would make them unclean (Jn.18:28), and prevent them from being able to observe the Passover Seder meal. The Sanhedrin had conspired to kill Jesus, but wanted to do it before the Feast of Passover (Mt. 26:1-5). At the ninth hour, the veil in the temple splits from top to bottom (symbolizing the direct access we now have to God through Christ’s redemptive act on our behalf and no longer a need for a High Priest) and Jesus cries “it is finished!” and dies on the cross.

Jesus’ body is taken down and placed into the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. It is mentioned in all four Gospel accounts that it is the “preparation day”, and that is why there is a rush to get His body into the tomb before the start of the Sabbath day at sundown. The preparation day is typically Friday, the day to prepare for the normal Sabbath (Saturday) where according to Jewish laws and customs, work could not occur.  However, this preparation day was Thursday (Passover Day) and the next day, Friday, began a seven day feast known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  During this time only unleavened bread could be eaten, and all yeast was removed from the house. Yeast is symbolic of sin. God proclaimed that the first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread would be High Sabbath days (Exodus 12:16-17). John confirms that this was the preparation day and that the next day was a High Sabbath day (Jn.19:31). Jesus is placed in the tomb hurriedly without the normal burial preparation involving spices.  After sundown, the Passover Seder meal is eaten and the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins.

They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.  There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  Jn.19:17-19

"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, 'Certainly this man was innocent.'”  Lk. 23:44-47





Friday, the 15th of Nisan (first day of Feast of Unleavened Bread)

Two days before Resurrection Sunday.  Today is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a High Sabbath day. Yesterday was Passover, and the preparation day for today’s High Sabbath day.  Jesus was crucified between two thieves, counted among the transgressors (Is. 53:12, Mk. 15:28).  His body was removed from the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb.  First thing on Friday, the Sanhedrin approached Pilate and requested that the tomb be secured with guards and sealed for three days so that the disciples would not steal the body of Christ and claim He had risen. A guard is posted and the tomb is sealed. The events of the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread go on as normal in Jerusalem.

Today is traditionally known as “Good Friday”, referencing the holiness or piety of the day that Jesus was crucified. However, as shown, the day of His crucifixion was actually Thursday. Today is a High Sabbath day, and tomorrow is Saturday, the normal Sabbath day of the week.  Mathew refers to the “Sabbaths” as plural, indicating clearly that there were two Sabbath days while Jesus was in the tomb (Mt.28:1).  Jesus Himself mentions the “sign of Jonah” (Mt.12:38) and states that He will be in the tomb for "three days and three nights" just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish, before he is resurrected (Jn.2:19, Mk.8:31).  

When looking at the timing of the events following the crucifixion, Jesus is “in the heart of the earth” starting Thursday at around 3 p.m. until sometime Saturday night, prior to sunrise on Sunday morning. Using the typical Jewish method of counting days (with any part of a day or night counting as a full one) we have three days (partial Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and three nights (Thursday night, Friday night, and partial Saturday night).  There is no way to get three days and three nights in the tomb, as Jesus Himself stated, with a Friday crucifixion day.

"Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." I Corinthians 5:6-8


Saturday, Nisan the 16th (normal Sabbath during Passover Festival)

One day before Resurrection Sunday. Today is the normal Sabbath day of the Passion Week. Yesterday was Friday, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the preparation day for today’s normal weekly Sabbath.  Today, like yesterday, would have been a day of resting and observing the many restrictions of what not to do during a Sabbath, as well as what needed to be done according to Rabbinic tradition and the Law.  Jesus’ body was prepared for burial quickly by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus on Thursday at dusk as the High Sabbath day approached.  John says that they anointed His body with Myrrh and Aloe, about one hundred pounds worth, as they wrapped his body for burial in the grave clothes (Jn.19:38-42).  But, this was only a temporary preparation until after the Sabbaths when the women planned on properly preparing His body for burial, according to Jewish customs. They had bought spices and prepared them for His proper burial preparation sometime after the crucifixion on Thursday, and prior to Saturday evening (Mk.16:1, Lk.23:50-56).

The disciples were probably fearful, worried, and confused. They had been warned of this by Jesus Himself, but could not have fully understood what exactly Jesus meant.  Three years of following Jesus' teaching had prepared them for ministry, but not for His death.  He was the Messiah...how could this be!  I am sure there was a lot of searching and discussion occurring among His disciples as they tried to understand what was next.

But, what was Jesus doing during this time?  The scriptures indicate that Jesus descended to the grave (Hades/Sheol), and also proclaimed to the "spirits in prison" (or being held) (the abyss or pit) that He had beaten Satan and Death, and had redeemed mankind to God.  He then ascended to Heaven, and with Him were "captives" whom He had freed.  This in Medieval times was known as the "Harrowing of Hell."  As the sons of Korah prophesied in Psalm 49, "But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to himself."  

"For it says:  When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people.  But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?" Ephesians 4:8-9

"For Christ also suffered for sins once for all. the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison who in the past were disobedient."  1 Peter 3:18-20

"This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to himself."  Psalm 49:13-15

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." Colossians 1:21-23

"They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm, they might live by God in the spiritual realm." 1 Pet. 4:5-6

"I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it."   Acts 2:29-32

"Death, where is your victory?  Death, where is your sting?  Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! "   1 Corinthians 15: 55-57


Sunday, Nisan the 17th (Feast of First Fruits)

It is "Resurrection Sunday", the first day of the week.  Early in the morning while it was still dark, (Jn.20:1) Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of James went to the tomb with the spices they had gathered and prepared to properly anoint the body of Jesus.  They arrived just as the day was dawning (Mt.28:1, Mk.16:2, Lk.24:1).  Prior to their arrival, an angel caused the stone to roll away (all Gospels mention this specifically Mt.28, Mk.16, Lk.24, and Jn.20) revealing that the tomb was empty.  The Roman guards at the tomb witness the angel rolling away the stone and are struck with fear at the sight.  Jesus had risen sometime during the night between Saturday sundown and Sunday morning before dawn.  The women are told by two men in "dazzling white clothing" that Jesus is not there, and Mary Magdalene runs to tell the disciples.  Peter hears Mary's story and runs to the tomb.  Mary also returns to the tomb and there encounters a risen Jesus.  Jesus later that day also appears to a couple of His  followers on the road to Emmaus.  Later that evening as the disciples were gathered together listening to the story of the two Emmaus disciples, Jesus appeared again to them all.  

Sunday is also the Feast of First Fruits (Lev.23:9-14). This day was to follow the Sabbath day, with the Priests offering a wave offering to God. The first fruits of the ripening crops were to be gathered and held up to God as thanks for the abundance of the harvest to come.  It is fulfillment of the Jewish Feasts which are prophecy of the coming Messiah. The Passover which prophesied of the Lamb of God sacrificed for all, the Feast of Unleavened Bread the day after Passover signifying the removal of all sin, and now the Feast of First Fruits, symbolizing that Jesus is the first fruits of many to be raised again from death (referring to us as followers of Christ!).  (I Cor.15:20, James 1:18)

As mentioned, Sunday is the 17th of Nisan.  This is the same day mentioned in Genesis specifically as the day on which Noah's ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat.  What is the significance of this?  The ark of Noah was the means by which God saved a few from the coming destruction, the result of judgment for sin.  It completed its purpose in saving those inside when it touched solid ground and came to rest.   Likewise, Jesus has now completed His mission, dying for our sins and overcoming Death.  Through Jesus completing His purpose, He too saved those who place their trust within Him.  

"...and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat."  Genesis 8:4  

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;... when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. ...through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."  I Peter 3:18-22

Over the next forty days, Jesus appeared to His disciples and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God. He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come to them, and that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. Then as they looked at Him, he was lifted up into the clouds.  As they were watching, two men in "dazzling white clothing" appeared and said “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11).  Follow this link to discover just who these "two men in dazzling white clothing" actually may have been at Jesus' resurrection and ascension when your'e done reading this article:
https://diglogos.blogspot.com/2020/03/time-travelers-in-bible-two-witnesses.html

We continue to follow His commands, all the while watching the sky for His soon return. Amen!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.  And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.  While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them.  Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”  And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God."  Luke 24

"But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.  And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in   Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).  Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”  Mary Magdalene came,  announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her."  John 20:11-18

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it."  Leviticus 23:9-11

"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death." 
I Cor. 15:20-26