Why do we need to look at the timeline for Jesus’s death and resurrection?
There has been a misleading from what is truth. Most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on a particular time and date of every year calling it Easter. Whereas some Jewish people still celebrate the Passover or Unfermented bread.
The Passover date has to be calculated every year. The calculation has to be done because this festival is based on a lunar observance that corresponds to a solar solstice that requires an adjustment to the lunar calendar or time line every year. This adjustment happens at the spring equinox.
The Lunar calendar is no longer in wide use so understanding how this adjustment is to be made is very important because it Is becoming a lost art. The Farmer’s almanac still uses a lunar observance with an overlay to the Gregorian calendar for planting purposes. We now have scientists who can calculate when the new moon and other celestial bodies or events are going to occur in real time.
The second factor for this calculation is because it is a spring observance of the barley harvest, and it has to be ready for the presenting of the first-fruits of the harvest. It is also important part of the celebration as it was commanded by God as an offering. So, how do you celebrate this time of the year?
Some observe the death of Jesus and understand the significance of the pouring out of his blood. But what day did he die on and what day was he resurrected on? To answer these questions, we need a timeline.
Luke 22:7… The day of the unfermented cakes (G106) now arrived, (G2064) on which the Passover [victim] must be sacrificed; and he dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the Passover ready for us to eat.” They said to him: “Where do you want us to get [it] ready?”
What does it mean for the cake or bread to be unfermented?
In Strong’s Concordance the Greek word #G106 azumos, it is translated as unleavened. The term unfermented cakes is meant for us to understand that it had no yeast in it. So, why was that important for the bread not to have yeast used in it? The Jewish people would need to remove any leaven or yest from in their houses by Nisan 14th because obedience meant their lives, whereas disobedience would mean their death. Exodus 12:19
Our first clue to timing comes from Luke’s account when he speaks about the day of unfermented cakes and the Passover victim being slaughtered on the same day. That would happen on Nisan and 14th as Exodus 12:6,15 brings out. Also, they were not to slaughter the Passover lamb if there was leaven in their bread as we read in Exodus 34:25.
So, when did Jesus tell his disciples to go get ready the Passover?
In Strong’s concordance the Greek word #G2064 erchomai, it is translated to come. It would not be translated as we are in the day but as coming or arrived signifying the event as it is coming or about too.
So, on Nisan 13th after 12 pm noon as the sun started to head back down toward the horizon in the West Jesus told his disciples to go get ready for the Passover.
Nisan 14th is known as the day of preparation as the sun rises from the east on Nisan 14th as we can read from Numbers 9:1-5, Exodus 12:6, Mark 15:42 and Matthew 27:62.
The Telling of Time
Our next clue to tell the time of the timeline for Jesus’s death and resurrection comes from the fact of knowing what day the Passover victim would be slaughtered on Nisan 14th as we have shone at Exodus 12:6. One more point is that the killing and the eating of the lamb would take place on the same day because there was no way of keeping the meat from spoiling.
The Jewish people back in the time of Jesus day started the beginning of their day at nightfall after the sun sets below the horizon in the west. This observance was done because of what God had done when he created the earth in the first day in darkness, then he created light on the next day. So, first came the evening then came the morning Genesis 1:2-5. Whereas the Gentiles started their day at 12 midnight. This variation of time of six hours can lead to much confusion which the antichrist spirit uses to its advantage.
Next, we have eyewitness accounts found in the Bible that shows a supernatural darkness came upon the land at noon time on Nisan 14ththe day of preparationMatthew 27:45-61.
This fact proves that God viewed that the setting of the sun then the moon would happen sometime after noon time, as the sun started to set in the west, this was called “between the two evenings”. Also, this event was prophesied about at Amos 8:9.
Amos 8:9-10… In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.
We all do well to remember that the Jewish calendar and the timing of events along with the celebration of the festivals has to have a focal point, and in this case, it would be in Jerusalem of Israel. Deuteronomy 16:2
So, what time is it in Israel specifically in Jerusalem right now? Well, if you live in the United States of America and more specifically in New York City, Jerusalem’s time then is seven hours ahead of your time. And if you live in San Francisco, it is 10 hours ahead of your time.
Antichrist Spirit
Though were talking about the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ we would be making a mistake if we did not speak about the resistors of truth.
The antichrist spirit is the deceiver and a liar and the killer of men, it hates the truth and is more active at this time of the year than at other times. But why?
It all has to do with the Blood of the Covenant that Jesus Christ provided for us. Matthew 26:27-28 and Hebrews 10:29
The celebration of the death along with the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God is the most hated thing by the antichrist spirit. 1 John 2:18,20-23 and 2 John 1:7
If you are a receiver of the spirit of God and an heir to this kingdom, and you are going to declare the death of Christ by the partaking of the Lord’s evening meal then you are a primary target for the spirit of the antichrist, it is our arch enemy. His weapon of choice is confusion, debating and arguments so prepare yourself.
Ephesians 6:11-18… Put on the complete suit of armor from God that YOU may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; 12 because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that YOU may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after YOU have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. 16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end keep awake with all constancy and with supplication in behalf of all the holy ones…
Let there be death to all those who are behind this rebellion, those who are against the true God the Sovereign of the Universe and the Son of his love Jesus Christ who is now the Lord over Heaven and earth, so take a knee and read: Philippians 2:9-11.
Nisan 14th – The Day of Unleavened
What happens on this Day of unleavened cakes?
Numbers 9:1-5… And Jehovah proceeded to speak to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the second year of their coming out of the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying: 2 “Now the sons of Israel should prepare the Passover sacrifice at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day in this month between the two evenings YOU should prepare it at its appointed time. According to all its statutes and all its regular procedures YOU should prepare it.” 4 So Moses spoke to the sons of Israel to prepare the Passover sacrifice. 5 Then they prepared the Passover sacrifice in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month between the two evenings, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Jehovah had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did.
2 Chronicles 35:1… Then Josiah held in Jerusalem a Passover to Jehovah, and they slaughtered the Passover victim on the fourteenth day of the first month.
Nisan 14th is the day for Preparation for the unleavened bread and the Passover lamb would need to be killed. Remember the blood had to be put on the doorpost before setting of the sun. When in Egypt the firstborn sons were not allowed to go out after dark. In the Scriptures it is revealed that God passed over their homes at midnight according to Exodus 11:4-6, and Exodus 12:29.
Nisan 15 – The Sabbath
What happens on Nisan 15th?
The eating of the Passover victim or Paschal feast starts as the sun sets and as the evening progresses on the focus turns to the celebration of the seven days of eating unleavened bread, this was also a Sabbath day.
So, with these things in our mind let us turn our attention to the timeline found in and according to the Scriptures.
The Scriptural Timeline
The scriptural account says that Jesus died Nisan 14th at 3 PM. That is our starting point of our timeline, now we will work the Scriptures backwards being able to put the daily activities leading up to his death. Each set of Scriptures corresponding to each day of the week all the way back to Nisan 10th. We done this based on the instructions found at Exodus 12:3-6.
Also, the similarities between the first Passover and that what happened to Jesus Christ our Lord had deep spiritual meaning. The instructions are clear, they were to take the Passover victim into their house on Nisan 10th this day and to watch over it and keep it safeguarded till the day of slaughter on the 14th.
So, what were the chain of events that followed? let us read the following Scriptures to find out. I will not print out every cited Scripture but only that which has the most detail. I tried to put then in order to read as the events unfolded. Feel free to review the rest of them in comparison to the cited Scripture.
Your King is Coming!
Nisan 10th
1 Kings 1:32-40
Jesus Christ was to ride in upon a beast of burden just like Solomon did to become king in Jerusalem, the people accepted it but the religious leaders of the day did not.
Matthew 21:1-17
Mark 11:1-11
Luke 19:29- 48
John 12:12- 19
Luke 19:41-44… And when he got nearby, he viewed the city and wept over it, saying: “If you, even you, had discerned in this day the things having to do with peace—but now they have been hid from your eyes. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side, and they will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you, because you did not discern the time of your being inspected.”
The Jewish leaders should have publicly identified the Christ had come to be crowned as King, but they rejected him. They did not even accept him into their house, and they certainly did not watch over him kindly – Exodus 12:3-6. But they did offer him up as a sacrifice on Nisan 14th.
For more information on the day or subject follow the hyperlink to: Your King is Coming.
Who Gave You This Authority?
Daylight Nisan 11th
Matthew 21:18- 23:39
Mark 11:12-20
Luke 20:1- 21:6
The religious leaders of the day were very disturbed by the events that were going on in the temple. There were healings and teachings that exposed the religious leaders in all their hypocrisies.
The illustration of the Vineyard and the Cultivators is a prime example that showed that the religious leaders had contempt for Jesus and the kingdom that would come. Jesus also put them on notice that God intended to come to destroy them and take away what they had.
Luke 20:16-20…He will come and destroy these cultivators and will give the vineyard to others.” On hearing [this] they said: “Never may that happen!” But he looked upon them and said: “What, then, does this that is written mean, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone’? Everyone falling upon that stone will be shattered. As for anyone upon whom it falls, it will pulverize him.” The scribes and the chief priests now sought to get their hands on him in that very hour, but they feared the people; for they perceived that he spoke this illustration with them in mind. And, after observing him closely, they sent out men secretly hired to pretend that they were righteous, in order that they might catch him in speech, so as to turn him over to the government and to the authority of the governor.
Tell Us When?
Noon Nisan 11th
The disciples of Jesus begin to notice the contentious words being spoken against the religious leaders and even about Jerusalem herself were Jesus was calling out the Woe’s coming to Jerusalem.
The disciples of Jesus were very concerned about the coming events. They rightly identified him as being the son of God and that he had a rulership in the kingdom, but the fleshly nation of Israel was not accepting him, what was to happen next?
Jesus answered his disciples about what would come next and the chain of events that would follow.
Matthew 24:1- 25:46
Mark 11:20-13:37
Luke 21:7- 38
Matthew 23:33-39… Serpents, offspring of vipers, how are YOU to flee from the judgment of Gehenna? For this reason, here I am sending forth to YOU prophets and wise men and public instructors. Some of them YOU will kill and impale, and some of them YOU will scourge in YOUR synagogues and persecute from city to city; that there may come upon YOU all the righteous blood spilled on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom YOU murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I say to YOU, all these things will come upon this generation. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her, —how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks together under her wings! But YOU people did not want it. Look! YOUR house is abandoned to YOU. For I say to YOU, YOU will by no means see me from henceforth until YOU say, ‘Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s name!’”
Seeking to Betray Him?
Nisan 12th
What was Judas Iscariot thinking? Did Judas imagine that bringing the confrontation to ahead would result in a victorious win for Jesus and the kingdom? Or did Judas Iscariot think that maybe he had chosen the wrong side, was it time for him to switch sides? After all, why not make a little money while doing it?
What Judas Iscariot did was in secret but what this woman did was done in public. Judas acted in selfishness dishonoring Jesus Christ, but this woman acted out of love and honored Jesus publicly and this is going to be her remembrance. But Judas Iscariot will always be viewed in dishonor.
Matthew 26:1-16
Mark 14:1-11
Luke 22:1- 6
Go Prepare!
Nisan 13th – A Day of Preparation
The celebration of the Passover had to occur in Jerusalem according to what God had commanded. Deuteronomy 16:2
So, it would have been necessary for the disciples of Jesus traveling to Jerusalem to go get provisions for the day of preparation was upon them. They would need to have a room in which they could have an evening meal and food and drink. They would need to thoroughly clean the room in which they were going to have the Passover, no leaven could be present. This would be a day of preparation because it was necessary for people to get ready the necessities for the coming festival. There was the Sabbath Nisan 15th followed by seven days of unleavened bread. So, as you see there was a lot of work that had to happen in that day.
But the day of preparation was that of Nisan 14th that of making of the unleavened bread and when the lamb would be killed. Numbers 9:1-5, Exodus 12:6,15 and Exodus 34:25.
Matthew 26:17-19
Mark 14:12-16
Luke 22:7- 13
Luke 22:7… The day of the unfermented cakes now arrived, (G2064) on which the Passover [victim] must be sacrificed…
Mark 14:12… Now on the first (G4413) day of unfermented cakes, when they customarily sacrificed the Passover [victim], his disciples said to him: “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?
In Strong’s concordance the Greek word #G2064 erchomai, it is translated to come. It would be translated as coming or arrived signifying the event as coming as found in Luke 22:7.
Strong’s concordance Greek word #G4413 protos, can also be rendered most important.
So, in Mark 14:12 that rendering of the word First should really be on the Most Important day of unfermented cakes.
The Lord’s Supper
Sun Set Nisan 14th
Matthew 26:20-75 Jesus discloses that the betrayer was sitting among them at the evening meal.
Mark 14:17-72
Luke 22:14- 71
John 13:1- 18:27 contains the most detailed information of these events and timeline.
For more information on the day or subject follow the hyperlink to: Our Lord’s Supper.
Jesus Stands Before Pilate
Morning of Nisan 14th
Matthew 27:1-44
Mark 15:1-25
Luke 23:1- 43 here Jesus prophesies about the daughters of Jerusalem weeping because the coming of the days of destruction.
John 18:28 – 19:13
For more information on the day or subject follow the hyperlink to: The Conspiracy and Killing of Christ.
The Death of Jesus
Noon Nisan 14th
Matthew 27:45-61
Mark 15:26-47
Luke 23:44 – 56
John 19:14 -42
Sabbath
Sun Set Nisan 15th
Matthew 27:62-66
He Has Risen from The Dead
Morning of Nisan 16th
Matthew 28:1-20
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1 -53
John 20:1-25
For more information on the day or subject follow the hyperlink to: He Has Risen in God’s Power.
What do we know?
Mark 14:1… Passover and the festival unfermented cakes run together.
John 18:28… Sabbath and eating the Passover meal was at the same time.
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