Return to Answers to Missionary Proofs
Jesus spent three days and nights in the tomb.
Prophecy:
Jonah 2:1: And the Lord appointed a huge fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
Proof:
Matthew 28:1,6: (1) Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ... (6) He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mark 16:1,6: (1) Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ... (6) But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Luke 24:1,6: (1) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. ... (6) He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,...
John 20:1-2: (1) Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (2) Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
Jesus was not in the tomb three days and three nights.
If Jesus was crucified on Friday as traditionally believed and was raised on Sunday, he did not spend three days and nights in the tomb. He only spent two full nights, one full day, and two partial days in the tomb.
*Jewish Scripture from The Complete Jewish Bible with Rashi Commentary
**Christian Scripture from the New King James Version |