The morning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ had many wondering, Where is Jesus? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Mary Magdalene was weeping at the empty tomb, John 20:13 says that the angels asked her, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Then, unbeknown to her at the moment, Jesus walked up to Mary Magdalene and asked her, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWoman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away\u201d (John 20:15). <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Before Mary Magdalene saw Jesus, John 20:2 says that Mary ran \u201c…to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\nAfter hearing what Mary had to say, Peter and John then took off for the tomb as fast as they could to see for themselves whether Jesus\u2019 tomb was empty. John 20:3\u201310 says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
“Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
They too went away scratching their heads, trying to figure out what was going on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where is Jesus?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The four Gospel accounts of the activity at the empty tomb leave many readers scratching their heads as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women were running back and forth to the tomb; Mary was by herself sometimes; Peter and John were running back and forth; Jesus appeared to Mary individually, and then to the other women, and then to the disciples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So where was Jesus, and how do we make sense of the Gospel accounts of resurrection morning?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The four Gospel accounts are narratives of the activities, not chronological, play by play accounts. So it is up to the reader to piece all of the accounts together to figure out how all of the activity unfolded in time. Putting the pieces together brings the satisfaction of gaining greater insight into the events, the lives touched by the resurrection of Jesus, and the significance of the empty tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following is an organization of the verses as they describe aspects of the same activities with commentary. The lesson concludes with a summary of how the events played out between the time of Jesus\u2019 burial and the discovery of His empty tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, Nisan 14, between 3:00 pm and 5:59 pm<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nJoseph and Nicodemus wrapped and buried Jesus\u2019 body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 15:33\u201345<\/strong> says that Jesus died about 3:00 pm (the ninth hour) and that Joseph retrieved Jesus\u2019 body as the evening was near. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 27:57\u201360<\/strong> says that Joseph of Arimathaea received Jesus\u2019 body, wrapped it, placed it in the tomb that Joseph had carved and reserved for himself, and then rolled a massive stone in front of the entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 15:42\u201346<\/strong> adds that Joseph claimed Jesus\u2019 body in the evening of the preparation, the day before the Sabbath. See Appendix for time chart of events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 23:50\u201354<\/strong> affirms this timing. It says that Joseph wrapped Jesus\u2019 body on the day of preparation before placing it in the tomb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 19:38\u201342 <\/strong>adds that Nicodemus helped Joseph wrap Jesus\u2019 body with 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes in accordance with Jewish custom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women saw Jesus in the tomb and prepared burial spices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 23:54\u201356<\/strong> records the women’s activities. It says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. <\/p>
“And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Mark 15:47<\/strong> confirms that the women saw where Jesus was buried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 27:61<\/strong> names two of the women, saying that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched while Jesus was laid in the tomb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
THURSDAY, Nisan 15 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
High Sabbath <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The high Sabbath mentioned in John 19:31 refers to the Sabbath marking the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, and the verse points out that this high Sabbath occurred the day after Jesus\u2019 death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A high Sabbath refers to a Sabbath day occurring on a weekday other than the regular Saturday Sabbath. This is the result of festivals celebrated on a certain day of the month rather than on a particular day of the week. From year to year, high Sabbaths occurred on different days of the week in the same way that birthdays are memorialized today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nisan 15 is the first day of the feast of unleavened bread and occurs the day after the day of preparation, which was the day Jesus was crucified. Because the Jewish day begins at 6:00 pm rather than 12:00 am, the Jews wanted to hasten the death of those crucified earlier in the day so that their bodies would not be hanging on the crosses during the Sabbath (John 19:31). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the reason Joseph and Nicodemus had to bury Christ before 5:59 pm Wednesday on the day of preparation before the high Sabbath began at 6:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tomb is sealed and secured.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 27:62\u201366 says that, the day after the preparation day, the chief priests and Pharisees requested of Pilate to seal and guard Jesus\u2019 tomb. They said that they wanted to prevent the disciples from stealing Jesus\u2019 body and then claiming that Jesus had been resurrected three days after His death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This seal and the guards would also have prevented the women from getting into the tomb to finish wrapping the body until the third day after Jesus\u2019 death. Thus, the women would have waited three days after Jesus\u2019 death to visit the tomb with spices. This is an indication that Jesus must have died and been buried late Wednesday afternoon, which would allow for the waiting period of three days to pass before going to the tomb with the spices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FRIDAY, Nisan 16 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spices purchased and prepared.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 16:1 indicates that, after the Sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices for the burial wrapping of Jesus\u2019 body. This indicates that more spices were purchased the day after the high Sabbath in addition to the hundred pounds already used by Joseph and Nicodemus before the high Sabbath day began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The narratives in Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not clarify that there are two Sabbaths, but Luke 23:56 is referring to the Saturday Sabbath of rest. The alternative consideration is that the women purchased and prepared the spices in the evening of the preparation day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But by the time Jesus died at 3:00 pm, Joseph requested retrieval of His body, the guard confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, Joseph removed Jesus\u2019 body from the cross and delivered, wrapped, and buried Him\u2014by this time it is unlikely that there would have been time left in the day for purchasing and preparing the spices before the high Sabbath began at 6:00 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Two Sabbath Days <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus, the high Sabbath followed the day after the preparation, and the Saturday Sabbath preceded the first day of the week when the women found the tomb empty. So when reading the accounts, it is important to remember that there are two Sabbaths occurring in the same week leading up to discovering the empty tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The occurrence of two Sabbaths preceding the resurrection of Jesus also shows that there must have been a day between the two Sabbaths on which the women could purchase and prepare the spices the day after the first Sabbath (Mark 16:1) but then rest on the second Sabbath after the spices were prepared (Luke 23:56). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thus, Jesus must have been crucified no later than Wednesday to allow for the women to purchase spices after the high Sabbath and then rest on the regular Saturday Sabbath before going to the tomb early Sunday morning. This means that Jesus was crucified and buried on Wednesday; the high Sabbath was observed on Thursday; the spices were purchased and prepared by the women on Friday; the regular Saturday Sabbath was observed; and then the women went to the tomb early Sunday morning and discovered an empty tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SATURDAY, Nisan 17 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Regular Saturday Sabbath<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was the day of rest observed on the regular Saturday Sabbath. The women had prepared the spices for Jesus the day before. This day also marks the third day after the death of Jesus, which means that the women could expect to be allowed to enter Jesus’ tomb on Sunday. The seal and guard of Pilate would prevent a premature entering of the tomb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY, Nisan 18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary from end of Sabbath to Sunday dawn <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 28:2\u20134 gives a summary of events at the tomb from the time of Christ’s resurrection (at the end of the Sabbath) to the time of the women finding the tomb empty (at the dawning of the first day of the week). At the end of the Sabbath, which would have been after 5:59 pm Saturday, a major earthquake took place at the tomb, an angel descended and rolled away the stone, and the guards fainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this point, there is no mention of the women encountering the guards, feeling the earthquake, or seeing the stone rolled away. In fact, Mark 16:3 says that the women were unaware that the stone had been rolled away, saying among themselves, \u201cWho shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?\u201d So then, we can conclude that these things had already occurred by the time the women arrived at the tomb early Sunday morning. And by that time, the guards had revived and had run away to report the event to the priests before the women arrived at the tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discovering the Empty Tomb Sunday Morning <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 28:1<\/strong> says that, at the dawning of the first day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 16:1\u20134<\/strong> says that Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome brought spices early in the morning of the first day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 24:1\u20132<\/strong> says that, early in the morning of the first day of the week, the women came with spices. Luke 24:10 names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary and then says there were others. They saw that the stone had been rolled away and entered into the tomb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 20:1\u20132<\/strong> adds that Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. When she saw the stone moved away from the tomb, she ran to tell the disciples. She tells them that \u201cThey have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This narrative indicates that Mary Magdalene had run to the disciples while the other women stayed at the tomb to look inside. This was her first report to the disciples, saying that she did not know where Jesus was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Angelic Encounter <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke 24:3\u20139 <\/strong>says that the women encountered two angels standing near them in the tomb. The angels tell them that Jesus is risen just as prophesied. They then begin their way back to tell the disciples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 16:5\u20138 <\/strong>points out more specifically that, when the women entered the tomb, they saw an angel to their right who appeared like a young man dressed in a long white garment. He was the angel who told the women to report to the disciples that Jesus was risen and to meet Him in Galilee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 28:2\u20137 <\/strong>adds that the angel who talked to the women was the same one who had been sitting on the stone after he rolled the stone away from the tomb’s entrance. Thus, it would have been this same angel that the guards saw before they fainted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John Investigate the Tomb <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 20:3\u201310 says that, after Mary Magdalene told the disciples about the stone being rolled away, Peter and John ran to see for themselves whether the tomb was really empty. When they looked around inside the tomb, they noticed the head napkin was wrapped and laid by itself apart from the body linen cloth. They returned home scratching their heads, wondering what to make of all this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encounters with Jesus<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 16:9\u201311 says that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene. After this encounter, she returned to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive and that she had seen Him. This was her second report to the disciples, but this time she was telling them that she had seen Jesus. They did not believe her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This indicates that Mary Magdalene was still separated from the other women and must have followed Peter and John back to the tomb. Then, after they left, she stayed at the tomb by herself, and it was during this second time at the tomb that she saw Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the other women had already left the tomb earlier to find and tell the disciples about the angel’s message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just prior to Mary’s encounter with Jesus, while she stood outside the tomb weeping and looking in, she saw two angels (John 20:11-17). This indicates that the angels reappeared after Peter and John left. After telling the angels why she was weeping, Mary turned and saw Jesus, but she thought He was the gardener. After Jesus said her name, she realized that it was Jesus. He told her not to touch Him yet and to go tell the disciples that He was ascending to His Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where was Jesus from the time of His burial to the time of His appearance to Mary? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
His physical body was in the tomb for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40). This was to leave no doubt that He was truly dead. The prophesied three days and nights also required that Jesus must have been buried Wednesday and not Friday as it is claimed by many. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights plus the full days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday fulfill the prophecy of Matthew 12:40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Jesus\u2019 physical body was in the tomb, He was with His Father in heaven spiritually. Jesus had already ascended spiritually to His Father in heaven after dying on the cross. In Luke 23:43 Jesus tells one of the thieves on the cross, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVerily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
And in Luke 23:46 Jesus says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFather, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
So the ascension Jesus was talking to Mary about is the formal presentation of His resurrected, physical body to His Father as the risen Savior of mankind to fulfill the prophecy of resurrection after three days of His body being in the tomb. This conversation with Mary clarified that Jesus was presenting Himself physically as the unblemished, holy, sacrificial Lamb of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some think that Jesus spent His time in hell for three days. However, such a position contradicts His promise to the thief that they would be together in paradise that same day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Mary was talking to Jesus at the tomb, the other women were on their way to tell the disciples about seeing the angels and the empty tomb. Mark 16:8 explains that the women were afraid and were not talking to anyone. Their message was for the disciples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they hurried down the road, Jesus then leaves Mary Magdalene, ascends to the Father, and returns to meet the other women on the road. Matthew 28:8\u20139 says that, as the women ran to find the disciples, they met Jesus, and they held His feet. And Jesus said to them to tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, it did not take long for Jesus to present His resurrected body to His Father. This was a quick ascension between the time of seeing Mary, who was told not to touch Him, and then seeing the other women, who held His feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time the women arrived back to the house after talking to Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John had already returned. Mary Magdalene was the first to report that she saw Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike her first report when she said that she did not know where Jesus was, Mark 16:10\u201313 says that she told the disciples that Jesus was alive and well and that she had seen and talked to Him. But they did not believe her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And after she told the disciples about her encounter, the other women came to the house and reported that they too had seen Him. Luke 24:9\u201311 says that the women told the eleven disciples and all the rest, but they did not believe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark 16:12 says that two others also came to report to those remaining in the house that they saw and talked with Jesus too. But they were not believed either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY, Nisan 18, evening and forty days more <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus appears to the disciples <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
John 20:19\u201325 says that, in the evening of the first day of the week while the house doors were shut, Jesus appeared to the disciples, except for Thomas, who was not there at the time. When Thomas heard that they had seen Jesus, He refused to believe them, saying that he would have to see Jesus and His scars for himself in order to believe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight days later, while Thomas was in the room with the other disciples, Jesus appeared in the room again and presented His hands and His body wound to Thomas, who then declared that He believed, saying, \u201cMy Lord and my God\u201d (John 20:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new, resurrected and glorified body of Jesus was so different that Mary Magdalene and the disciples did not recognize Him at first glance. Nonetheless, His voice and His wounds identified Him. Luke 24:13\u201316 adds that the eyes of the two who saw Jesus and talked with Him were restrained so that they did not recognize Him at all. Only after their eyes were opened did they know that it was Him (Luke 24:31). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They then returned to Jerusalem to report to the disciples that they too had seen Jesus (Luke 24:33). Luke 24:13 also adds that they were about seven miles (threescore furlongs) from Jerusalem, so they would have met up with the disciples at their house later in the day after the women had reported seeing Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 28:16\u201317 records the Galilean meeting of the eleven disciples with Jesus in a mountain in Galilee. Amazingly, some still doubted. A miracle had occurred that challenged the faith of some of the disciples even after they saw Jesus and had time to think about it and to discuss it. The man of miracles had been crucified and buried. How could He possibly overcome His own death? And why not rather prevent His death?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 1:3 says that Jesus \u201cshewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.\u201d There were many needing to be convinced that Jesus had truly been raised from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary of events after the crucifixion of Jesus <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus died Wednesday afternoon around 3:00pm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph received permission from Pilate to bury Jesus. While he and Nicodemus wrapped the body with a hundred pounds of spice and aloes at the tomb, the women watched. Then the high Sabbath was observed, beginning at 6:00 pm Wednesday, which is the beginning of the Jewish Thursday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the high Sabbath, called a high day because it was Thursday and not Saturday, the Jewish leaders convinced Pilate to seal the tomb and set up a guard for at least three days. On Friday the women purchased and prepared spices to complete the burial process, then rested on the Saturday Sabbath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the Saturday Sabbath, 5:59 pm, which is the beginning of the Jewish Sunday, a great earthquake occurred, an angel descended to roll the stone from the tomb entrance, and the guards fainted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early Sunday morning just as it was dawning and still dark, the women went to the tomb and discovered that the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance, and there were no guards on duty. Mary Magdalene immediately ran to tell the disciples that the body of Jesus was gone and that they didn’t know where He was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, still at the tomb, the other women talked to the angel, who gave them a message for the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee. They leave to tell the disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back at the disciples’ house, after hearing Mary Magdalene’s report, Peter and John ran to the tomb, and Mary followed behind them. At the tomb, Peter and John saw that it was empty, and there was no indication of angels present. They returned to the disciples’ house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary followed John and Peter to the tomb but stayed at the tomb weeping, where Jesus appeared first to her and talked to her. She was not allowed to touch Him. She then went to tell the disciples that she had seen Him. Jesus ascended to the Father and then appeared to the other women before they reached the disciples house. They were allowed to hold His feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the women talked to Jesus, Mary arrived at the disciples’ house, where Peter and John had already returned, and reported that she had seen Jesus, but they did not believe her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon after Mary’s report, the other women arrived at the house, and they delivered Jesus\u2019 message to go to Galilee. But the disciples still did not believe. Later in the afternoon, two others walked seven miles to come to the disciples’ house in Jerusalem to report that they had talked with Jesus. Still the disciples did not believe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then that evening, while the doors to the house were shut, Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them His wounds. Thomas was not there at the time and later said that he would not believe unless he saw Jesus for himself. Eight days later, Jesus reappeared at the house, and Thomas believed. Over a period of forty days, Jesus showed Himself to many to prove that He indeed had been raised from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning the World Upside Down<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The disciples’ lives were changed by Jesus and His resurrection. Seeing the risen Savior convinced them that death was not to be feared. They boldly proclaimed the good news to the world. Acts 17:6 says that others were saying of them that they had \u201cturned the world upside down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These men suffered for their faith. They were tortured and killed for their testimony. But they could not deny the risen Savior they had seen. He is alive, and they knew where He was. They knew that He was not in the grave. He was sitting at the right hand of the Father’s throne. They no longer feared death because Jesus was their Savior, and he had conquered death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were willing martyrs for a true testimony of their risen Savior. And their willing martyrdom is proof that there was no deception, no stealing of the body, and no lies to be told. Had deception been the case, their deaths would be meaningless and without explanation. They would have no motivation to suffer for a lie. But having seen Jesus risen, there was no stopping them from telling the world He is alive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus\u2019 resurrection is a testimony that He paid for all sins completely and totally. It is for this reason that death, hell, and the grave can no longer hold on to Him. His payment is complete\u2014an infinite debt paid in full with an infinite death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To all those who know Him, He says, Go and tell others that they too might believe. Go and make disciples so that the news will spread around the world. Go and let all men on earth know that salvation is possible through Him and that eternal life is a free gift that He offers to everyone. Go and tell others where Jesus is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is our duty as Christians while on earth. This is the reason Jesus leaves us here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you telling others the good news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection? Are you telling them where they too can find Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is our duty as Christians while on earth. This is the reason Jesus leaves us here. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you telling others the good news of Jesus Christ’s resurrection? Are you telling them where they too can find Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APPENDIX<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1<\/strong> Jewish days of the week begin at 6 pm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2<\/strong> Paradise or hell? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What and where is paradise? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only three verses in the Bible refer to paradise. Luke 23:43 records Jesus telling one of the men that was crucified with Him, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo day shalt thou be with me in paradise.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 2:7 tells us that paradise is where the tree of life is located: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Paradise is another reference to heaven. This makes sense because Jesus completed the work of redemption on the cross, as He indicated by saying, \u201cIt is finished\u201d (John 19:30). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And His fellowship with His Father was restored, as He indicated by commending His spirit into the hands of His Father (Luke 23:46). So going to heaven with His Father was going to paradise. It is important to note that, though Jesus was in heaven and in fellowship with His Father spiritually, His physical body was still in the tomb until the three nights and three days were complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Does First Peter 3:18-22 say that Jesus went to hell for three days after His crucifixion?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
No. It says: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. <\/p>
\u201cThe like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
This passage does not say that Jesus spent three days and nights in prison or in hell. To use this verse to support the idea that Jesus went to hell for three days after His crucifixion contradicts Luke 23:43, which says that He was in paradise. Paradise is not in hell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The phrase spirits in prison<\/em> refers to lost souls in bondage to sin and the fear of death. Through Him there is liberation from sin and death. The same quickening Spirit that gave Him life also gives us life, and it is by this same Spirit that He preached to the spirits in prison during the days of Noah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The message was the same then as it is today, namely, God judges sin. But He makes a way to escape. Just as the ark saved from the flood judgment, Christ is the like figure, providing the way of escape from the spiritual judgment of God. Heeding the quickening Spirit delivers from judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reference to baptism refers to being baptized into Christ, not into water. We are baptized into Christ when we believe in God for salvation. For this reason, Peter clarifies his meaning, saying, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c…not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Was Jesus’ Soul in Hell? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 16:10 says, \u201cFor thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 2:27 also says, \u201cBecause thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These two verses refer to the resurrection victory of Jesus. He would not spend eternity in hell paying for sins. Being God, Jesus paid for all sins in full by applying an infinite payment for an infinite debt while on the cross. His time of suffering hell’s pain was fulfilled on the cross. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His separation from the Father was indicated in Matthew 27:46 by His prayer to the Father, \u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d and by the darkness that covered the land from noon to 3:00 pm. After His payment was made, He said, \u201cIt is finished\u201d (John 19:30). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The physical depiction of His victory over death, hell, and the grave was the resurrection of His body three days and three nights after having been crucified. Jesus\u2019 body was raised new and glorified without corruption and reunited with His soul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lower Parts of the Earth <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ephesians 4:9 says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
This statement is a hyperbole to contrast highest ascension with lowest descension in the context of Ephesians 4:8\u201310. Jesus ascended victoriously to the highest level possible to accomplish anything and everything He desires to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He brought captivity into captivity by conquering death. He brought an end to that which conquers us. He conquered our conqueror, captured our captor, and slew our slayer. This refers to His victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul elaborates on Christ’s achievement by contrasting the highest achievement with the lowest experience. He accomplished everything by giving up everything. Christ achieved that which required the fullest extent of loss and suffering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He suffered the pain of separation from His Father to an infinite degree. It was the sum of all hell’s fury and suffering. It was the price required to set men free from sin and death. And Jesus experienced all of this on the cross, as indicated in Matthew 27:46, which says He cried out, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
And when He was done paying the price for sin, He said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost\u201d (John 19:30). <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
He paid for all sins by suffering the greatest of all horrors. Jesus then ascended triumphantly to be with His Father. He went from one extreme to the other. This is who our Savior is and who graciously and mercifully blesses us with good gifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3 Summary time line of events after the crucifixion of Jesus. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
JEWISH WEDNESDAY, 3:00 pm to 5:59 pm<\/strong> (contemporary Wednesday, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus dismissed His spirit into the hands of His Father. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The temple veil was rent in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graves were opened, and resurrected saints showed themselves to others in the city (Matthew 27:52\u201353). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph received permission from Pilate to bury Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped the body with a hundred pounds of spice and aloes at the tomb while the women watched. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
JEWISH THURSDAY, 6:00 pm to 5:59 pm<\/strong> (contemporary Wednesday, 6:00 pm to Thursday, 5:59 pm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The high Sabbath was observed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jewish leaders convinced Pilate to seal the tomb and set up a guard for at least three days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FRIDAY, from morning to evening <\/strong>while the market was open for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women purchased and prepared spices to complete the burial process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
JEWISH SATURDAY, 6:00 pm to 5:59 pm<\/strong> (contemporary Friday, 6:00 pm to Saturday, 5:59 pm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The regular SABBATH day<\/strong> of rest was observed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
JEWISH SUNDAY after 6:00 pm<\/strong> (contemporary Saturday, 6:00 pm to Sunday, 5:59 pm)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A great earthquake occurred. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An angel descended to roll the stone from the tomb entrance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The guards fainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY MORNING<\/strong>, just as it began to dawn (moments before sunrise)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women went to the tomb and discovered that the stone was rolled away from the tomb entrance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary Magdalene immediately ran to tell the disciples that the body of Jesus was gone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other women talked to the angel, who gave them a message for the disciples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They left to tell the disciples. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John ran to the tomb, and Mary followed behind them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John saw that the tomb was empty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They returned to the disciples’ house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary stayed at the tomb weeping and talked to an angel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus\u2019 first appearance after His resurrection was to Mary at the tomb, and she was not allowed to touch Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary ran a second time to the disciples’ house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus ascended to the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus appeared to the other women before they reached the disciples’ house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were allowed to hold His feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter and John arrived at the disciples’ house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mary arrived at the disciples’ house and reported that she had seen Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other women arrived at the disciples’ house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SUNDAY AFTERNOON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two others walked seven miles to come to the disciples’ house in Jerusalem to report that they talked with Jesus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
JEWISH SUNDAY EVENING near 5:59pm<\/strong> (contemporary Sunday evening)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus appeared to the disciples and showed them His wounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
EIGHT DAYS LATER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus reappeared at the disciples’ house, and Thomas believed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
OVER A PERIOD OF FORTY DAYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus showed Himself to many to prove that He indeed had been raised from the dead. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The morning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ had many wondering, Where is Jesus? When Mary Magdalene was weeping at the empty tomb, John 20:13 says that the angels asked her, “Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,24,25,56],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus.jpg",1920,900,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus-480x225.jpg",480,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus-768x360.jpg",768,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus-1024x480.jpg",1024,480,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus-1536x720.jpg",1536,720,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/where-is-Jesus.jpg",1920,900,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Dr. Patrick Briney","author_link":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/author\/prbriney\/"},"uagb_comment_info":40,"uagb_excerpt":"The morning of the resurrection of Jesus Christ had many wondering, Where is Jesus? When Mary Magdalene was weeping at the empty tomb, John 20:13 says that the angels asked her, “Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifechangingscriptures.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}