2 Tim 3.16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

The Myth of the Friday Crucifixion of the Lord Christ

An Abbreviated Harmony

The PDF shown below is a table of the gospel accounts from six days before the Passover through the resurrection of the Lord Christ. The purpose of the table is to provide the details introduced in the previous chapter (which developed the timeline of events).

The table below takes advantage of the fact that the gospel accounts are recorded in the chronological order of the events they each document. To detail the progress of the last 11 days leading to and including the resurrection of the Lord Christ, the table below highlights “temporal markers” (and other items of interest). By aligning the gospel accounts according to these temporal markers (my term), it is relatively easy to determine the exact sequence of events for that period.

[Because there are too many verses to reproduce in full (without making this page essentially unusable), I implemented a small Javascript control that enables any verse reference to automatically open a popup window to display the verse. Simply click on the verse reference; a popup window with the full text will automatically open. It can be dismissed by clicking the corner "X" or pressing ESCape.]

Note: It is very important to remember that the Jewish day begins/ends at sunset, not midnight.

The table below is available for download.

 
 
 
12.1-3

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover,

 

Thu: 8th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh

5 days before Passover

The Triumphal Entry

12.12

On the next day

“I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!”

 
 
 

The Lord Christ wept over Jerusalem.

 
 
 

The Lord Christ visited the temple at evening.

 
11.11

Jesus ... left for Bethany ... since it was already late.

 
 

 

Fri: 9th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh

4 days before Passover

"May no one ever eat fruit from you again."

 
11.12-14

On the next day ...

 
 

Cleansing the temple.

 
"Hosanna to the Son of David"
 
 
The religious elite seek to destroy the Lord Christ.
 
 
Staying each night in Bethany
21.17

And He left them ... and spent the night there.

21.11-19

When evening came ...

 
 

 

Sat: 10th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
3 days before Passover

The barren fig tree is found withered.

21.18-22

Now in the morning

11.20-25

As they were passing by in the morning,

 

 

The Lord’s authority is challenged.

 

Parable 1 of 3:
Two Sons

 

 

 

Parable 2 of 3:
Wicked Stewards
Parable 3 of 3:
The Wedding Feast for the King’s Son

 

 

 

Question 1 of 3:
Tax to Caesar?

 

Question 2 of 3:
The Resurrection?

 

Question 3 of 3:
The Greatest Commandment?

 

 

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God”

 

 

Jesus questioned the Pharisees.

 

The Lord Christ publicly rebuked the scribes and Pharisees.

 

Jesus pronounced six woes upon the Pharisees.

 

 

 

“Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!”

 

 

 

The poor widow and her tiny contribution to the treasury.

 

 

“What is the sign of Your return?”

 

Things to Come

 

Spending the night on Mount Olivet.

 

 

 

Parable of the Ten Virgins

 

 

 

Parable of the Talents

 

 

 

“The hour has come.”

 

 

 

The Jews continued to reject their Messiah despite the powerful and plentiful signs He performed for them.

 

 

 

 

Sun: 11th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
2 days before Passover
26.1-5

... ”You know that after two days the Passover is coming ...”

14.1-2

Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away ...

22.1-2

... the Passover, was approaching.

13.1

Now before the Feast of the Passover ...

The woman anointed the Lord Christ with costly perfume.

 

 

 

Mon: 12th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
1 day before Passover

Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord Christ to the religious elite.

 

 

Tue: 13th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
1st day of unleavened bread.

The disciples prepared the Passover meal.

26.17-19

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread ...

14.12-16

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed ...

22.7-13

Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.

 

 

Wed: 14th
Twilight until the Garden
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh

The Passover meal began.

26.20

Now when evening came ...

14.17

When it was evening  ...

22.14-16

When the hour had come... “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover ...”

 
The Lord Christ prepared to wash the disciples’ feet.

 

 

 

13.2-10

Jesus ... got up from supper, and laid aside His garments ...

The Lord Christ washed the disciples' feet.

 

 

 

13.11-17

… So when He had washed their feet …

The Lord Christ told His disciples of the OT prophecy regarding Himself and the betrayal against Him.

 

 

 

The Lord Christ told His disciples that He will be betrayed by one of them.

 

“Surely not I!”

 

“Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.”
26.24-25

”... but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  ...”

14.21

”... but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  ...”

 

 

The communion of the wine.

 

 

 

The communion of the unleavened bread.

 

The “fruit of the vine” won’t be enjoyed by the Lord Christ until the Kingdom is established.

 

 

“… the hand of the one betraying Me …” is here now.

 

 

22.21-22

But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. ...

 

The disciples want to know who the betrayer was.

 

 

The Lord Christ idenitifed Judasas the betrayer; the other disciples completely missed the significance of Judas’ departure.

 

 

 

13.26b-30

… and it was night.

“After singing a hymn, they went out …”

 

 

“the Son of Man is glorified”, “I am with you a little while longer.”

 

 

 

The disciples argue regarding which of them was the greatest!

 

 

 

A new commandment: love one another.

 

 

 

“Lord, where are you going?”

 

 

 

The Lord Christ told Peter that He had prayed for him to protect him against Satan’s personal attack.

 

 

 

The shepherd will be struck down and the sheep will be scattered.

 

 

Peter: “I will never fall away.” Instead, he denied Him three times by sunrise.
“He was numbered with the transgressors.”

 

 

 

The beginning of the Lord Christ’s final words to His disciples (excluding Judas).

 

 

 

“A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”

 

 

 

 

Wed: 14th
The Garden until the Trials
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
The Garden and Arrest
The Lord Christ withdrew to pray (first time).

 

The “inner three” disciples waited near where the Lord Christ prays.

 

 

“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

He repeated His prayer two more times.

 

The disciples did not keep watch; rather, they fell asleep.

 

“…the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed …”

 

 

Judas arrived with the mob.
18.2-3

Judas then... came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

“I am!”: the mob fell to the ground.

 

 

 

Judas kissed the Lord Christ in order to identify Him to the mob (because it was still dark).

 

Peter attempted to use the sword to defend the Lord Christ.
“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”

 

The disciples fled.

 

 

Wed: 14th
The Trials until the Crucifixion
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
The religious trial began with Annas.

 

 

 

Peter and “the other disciple” followed at a distance.
“…hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

 

 

Peter denied the Lord Christ: 1.
Annas questioned the Lord Christ; He was then sent to Caiaphas.

 

 

 

Peter denied the Lord Christ: 2
Peter denied the Lord Christ: 3
Peter was deeply struck in his conscience when he heard the rooster crow (near sunrise).
26.74b-75
And immediately a rooster crowed.
14.72
Immediately a rooster crowed a second time.
22.66-71
When it was day ...
18.27b
and immediately a rooster crowed.
The Lord Christ was blindfolded, mocked and beaten.

 

 

 

Sunrise (the morning after the Passover meal).
27.1
Now when morning came ...
15.1a
Early in the morning ...
22.66-71
When it was day ...

 

The civil trial:
first appearance before Pilate.

Pilate departed the Praetorium to confer with the Jews.

18.28-32

Then they led Jesus ... and it was early ...

Judas “felt remorse” and committed suicide.

 

 

 

The civil trial:
second appearance before Pilate.

“Are you the King of the Jews?”

“Yes.”
Pilate was amazed at the Lord’s calmness and unwillingness to engage in His own defense.

 

 

Pilate: “no guilt” (1)

 

 

Pilate sent the Lord Christ to Herod.

 

 

 

The civil trial:
appearance before Herod.

Herod sent the Lord Christ back to Pilate.

 

 

 

The civil trial:
second appearance before Pilate.

“I have found no guilt in this man.” (2)

 

 

 

“Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”
Pilate’s wife warned him to refrain from what he was about to do.

 

 

 

The religious elite induced the crowds to call for the release of Barabbas.

 

 

Pilate: “what evil has He done?”
The Lord Christ was scourged.

 

 

The Lord Christ was handed over for crucifixion.

 

The Scarlet Robe and Crown of Thorns
The Romans soldiers mocked the Lord Christ.

 

Pilate Pronounced Sentence
“no guilt” (3)

 

 

 

6:00 am
“… away with Him, crucify Him …”

 

 

 

19.14-15
Now ... it was about the sixth hour.
Jesus was led out to crucifixion.

The Lord Christ started out, bearing the cross.

 

Simon of Cyrene was pressed into the service of bearing the cross for the Lord Christ.

 

“Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”>

 

 

 

 

Wed: 14th
The Crucifixion until the Tomb
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
Jesus is crucified.
9:00 am

The Lord Christ’s garments were divided by lot, then He was crucified.

15.24b-25
It was the third hour when they crucified Him.

 

The Jews look on and mock:“If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”

 

 

 

The soldiers cast lots for the outer garment of the Lord Christ.

 

 

 

The Jewish crowds begin to mock Him: “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!

 

 

The two criminals crucified at the same time as the Lord Christ also began to mock Him.

 

 

12:00 noon – 3:00 pm

Darkness over the land.

27.45
Now from the sixth hour ... >
15.33

When the sixth hour came ...
23.44-45
It was now about the sixth hour ...

 

The Lord Christ asked that John care for Mary, His mother.

 

 

 

The Lord Christ tasted the sour wine.

 

 

 

3:00 pm

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”

27.46-49
About the ninth hour ...
15.34-36
When the sixth hour came ...

 

 

Jesus yielded up His Spirit and died.
Many believers who had died were resurrected and appeared to many.

 

 

 

The centurion: “Truly this was the Son of God!”

 

The soldiers ensured a quicked death to the two criminals (by breaking their legs); the Lord Christ was already dead: “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.”

The Jews sought to have the bodies removed from the cross before sundown because OT law specified that a person hung on wood should not remain so overnight.

 

 

 

19.31-37
... it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross ...
The body of the Lord Christ was entombed. (All the events were completed just prior to sundown.)
27.57-58a
When it was evening ...
15.42-43
When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath ...
The centurion confirmed to Pilate that the Lord Christ was dead.

 

 

 

Pilate granted permission to Joseph of Arimathea to take away the body of the Lord Christ.
23.53-54
It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
19.38b-42
Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation ...
Two of the women observed where the Lord Christ was entombed.

 

 

Thu: 15th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
1st day of the Feast
Special Sabbath (“High Day”)

The religious elite sought to have the tomb guarded, claiming the Lord Christ was a “deceiver”.

27.62-66
Now on the next day, the day after the preparation ...

 

 

 

 

Fri: 16th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
2nd day of the Feast

The women bought and prepared spices to anoint the body of the Lord Christ.

 

16.1
When the Sabbath was over ...
23.56a
Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.

 

 

Sat: 17th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
3rd day of the Feast
Weekly Sabbath

 

 

23.56b
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

 

 

Sun: 18th
Mat
Mar
Luk
Joh
4th day of the Feast
Resurrection Sunday

The women arrived at the tomb.

28.1 [lit.]
But after the Sabbaths, dawning to the first of the Sabbaths ...
16.2-3 [lit.]
Very early, the first of the Sabbaths ...
24.1 [lit.]
But the first of the Sabbaths, at early dawn ...
20.1a [lit.]
But the first of the Sabbaths ...
An angel rolled away the stone from the entrance into the tomb.

 

 

 

The women saw that the large stone had been rolled away.

 

“He is not here, for He has risen.”

 

 

 

The women entered the tomb but did not see a body.

Again: “He is not here ...”

 

 

Another angel appears:
“Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen.”

 

 

 

“Go tell His disciples!”

 

 

The women began the walk back to the disciples but spoke to no one along the way because they were afraid.

 

 

 

The women brought the news to the disciples.

 

Peter and John ran to the tomb.

 

 

The disciples remained in their characteristic “sluggish faith”.

 

 

 

The disciples returned to their homes.

 

 

Mary (Magdalene) returned to the tomb and met the resurrected Lord Christ!

“… go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'”

 

 

 

Mary Magdalene:
“I have seen the Lord!”

 

 

 

Peter and Cleopas met the Lord Christ on the way to Emmaus (without realizing who He was).

“And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

 

 

 

The Lord Christ appeared to the eleven in Jerusalem.

“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself ...”

 

20.19 [lit.]
... that day, the first of the Sabbaths ...
The disciples worshiped the Lord Christ.

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

 

 

“You are my witnesses.”.

 

 

 

The Lord Christ commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they are ““clothed with power from on high””.

 

 

 

The Lord also commanded His disciples to go to Galilee. [This is in preparation for His ascension.]

 

 

 

The soldiers were bribed to lie about the resurrection.

 

 

 

The disciples arrived in Galilee as commanded.

The Lord Christ ascended to heaven.

 

 

 

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