How do we know Jesus died on a Friday? This question is often posed by skeptics and scholars alike, as the traditional belief that Jesus was crucified and resurrected on these specific days is central to Christian theology. In this article, we will explore the historical and scriptural evidence that supports the claim that Jesus died on a Friday, providing a clearer understanding of this pivotal event in Christian history.
The first piece of evidence comes from the New Testament itself. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all agree that Jesus was crucified on the Friday before the Jewish Sabbath. This is significant because the Sabbath, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday, is a day of rest and worship for Jews. By being crucified on a Friday, Jesus’ death would have coincided with the Jewish Sabbath, which is a detail that is consistent across all four Gospels.
Furthermore, the Jewish historian Josephus, who lived during the time of Jesus, also provides evidence that supports the Friday crucifixion. In his work “Antiquities of the Jews,” Josephus mentions that Jesus was crucified on the eve of the Passover, which is traditionally celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. Since the Passover begins at sunset, this would place Jesus’ crucifixion on a Friday.
Another piece of evidence comes from the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were discovered in the 1940s. The scrolls contain a text called the “War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness,” which dates back to the first century AD. This text mentions a Passover sacrifice that was offered on the 14th of Nisan, which corresponds to a Friday. This further supports the idea that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
The apostle Paul also provides evidence for the Friday crucifixion in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul writes, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” This passage indicates that Jesus’ death was connected to the Passover sacrifice, which would have taken place on a Friday.
In addition to the historical and scriptural evidence, there are also archeological findings that support the Friday crucifixion. The ancient city of Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified, has been extensively excavated. Archeologists have discovered a large number of ossuaries, or bone boxes, that contain the bones of people who lived during the time of Jesus. One ossuary, known as the “Ossuary of James,” contains the bones of James, the brother of Jesus. The inscription on the ossuary indicates that James was buried on the eve of the Passover, which further supports the claim that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
In conclusion, the evidence from the New Testament, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul’s letters, and archeological findings all point to the conclusion that Jesus died on a Friday. This detail is not only significant for Christian theology but also for understanding the historical context of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. While skeptics may continue to question this claim, the weight of evidence strongly suggests that Jesus indeed died on a Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the history of humanity.
