Bible Question: Where was Jesus during the 3 days between the crucifixion and the resurrection? |
Bible Answer: The three days that passed were very important. Not because of "where" Jesus was, but the length of time that passed from the ressurection and the crucifixion. First, on the cross, Jesus told the thief next to him, "TODAY, you will be WITH ME in paradise." Clearly, Jesus was in His Kingdom during those three days. But the most important part, is the time that passed. Those three days were given as a sign. Remember when the Pharicees asked for a sing, but Jesus said, Matt 16:4 "...and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." As you may recall, Jonas was in the belly of a whale for three days. Jesus also said that as Jonas, so tha son of man will be in the belly of the earth for three days". But it is important to note that Jesus said "TODAY, you will be with me in paradise", a contradiction? Hardly. Christ was showing them that for three days he would be "burried", just as Jonas was. The three days also have more significant meaning, of which I will only briefly expand on: The book of Daniel mentions (Daniel 9:27) -"And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Christ's sacrifice happened during the middle of the week, and as you know, the result of the crucifixion was that animal sacrifices have ceased to be of meaning to God, the ultimate sacrifice had been offered. So, in order for the "week" to be completed, Jesus' body was inthe tomb for 3 days and 3 nights. The next day after the third night would have been day 7. As a sign of completeness and as a sign of fullfillment of prophecy, the timing was essential. |