This article will be more easily understood by first reading the previous one. Our problem is that in the English language there is no way to harmonize three Jewish expressions—“after three days;” “three days and three nights” and “on the third day.” There is no way to harmonize on and after.
However, the Jews used these three expressions to refer to the same period of time. Even Jesus used these three phrases to refer to the time He was in the grave. If we spoke of time as the Jews did, using their language, there would be no problem. Consider the following to see how the Hebrews had no problem using these phrases interchangeably.
The peace offering could be eaten on the same day it was offered or on the next day, but none could be eaten “on the third day” (Lev. 19:6-7). David made a plan with Jonathan that involved the day of his conversation, “tomorrow” and the “third day at evening” (1 Sam. 20:5). When Rehoboam became king, he instructed men to come back to him “after three days,” but they came back to him “on the third day, as the king had directed” (2 Chron. 10:5-6). They understood that what happened on the third day was precisely what the king meant when he said “after three days.” Consider the same kind of language used by Esther (Esther 4:16; 5:1). The Jews spoke of time differently from Americans!
Jesus was buried on the Preparation day, the day before the Sabbath (Luke 23:53-54). This day of preparation is mentioned in connection with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus died on the day before the Sabbath (hence on the Preparation day) because the Jews did not want Him to remain that special sabbath (a great, high day that coincided with the Passover sabbath, John 19:31). He was buried before evening of the Sabbath. Then, on the day after the day of preparation, the priests came to Pilate and told the governor that Jesus had said He was to be raise “after three days.” The tomb was guarded “until the third day” (Matt. 27:62, 64). The Jews, unlike Americans, saw all of these terms equally.
Follow the women from the tomb and before the Sabbath began. They quickly prepared burial spice and fragrant oils; rested on the Sabbath; and then early on the next day, Sunday, they went to the tomb (Luke 23:55-24:1). He was buried on Friday, they rested on Saturday, and they went to the tomb on the third day. Remember that Jesus referred to the day of His death as “today” to the thief and earlier had sent a message to Herod about “today, tomorrow and the third day He would be perfected” (Luke 13:32). There is NO problem in the Jewish language; it is only in our language. He was raised on the third day (Luke 24:21)!