resurrection sunday?
I was at a Church service some time back and the minister said that the reason we meet on Sundays was because that was the day upon which Christ was resurrected. He may have been thinking of any number of verses in support of that assumption, but this one in MARK is one of the most common.
- MARK 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
As written in this King James version, it certainly says that Yeshua rose early Sunday morning. But the Greek text from which the English translation was made could be read in an entirely different light.
- Now having risen, early the first day of the week He appeared first to Mary the Magdalene....
It all depends a great deal upon where you place the punctuation. Did Mark write that Yeshua rose early on Sunday or did he write that Yeshua appeared to Mary early on Sunday, having already risen sometime before? As there was no punctuation in the original text, if we are to understand what Mark wrote, we must compare and consider elsewhere where this account of the resurrection is recorded.
Below is a sequence of the events of those days which I believe reflect an accurate chronology of the events as recorded in all four of the Gospels. The reader should be reminded that in Gospel times, the Jewish day began at sunset. Following below is a chart listing the scriptures substantiating this sequence.
- He was crucified on Wednesday, dying sometime after 3 pm.
- Joseph laid Him in his tomb and rolled the stone in place.
- After watching all this, the women then left.
- Nicodemus came and prepared the body for burial and then replaced the stone.
- The soldiers came and sealed the stone and set a guard.
- At sunset came Thursday, the special High Sabbath, which was the first day of of the feast of Unleavened Bread.
- Friday, the women prepared spices so as to anoint the body, not knowing Nicodemus had already done so.
- Then Saturday, the regular weekly Sabbath.
- Resurrection was some time after 3 pm on Saturday, 3 days and 3 nights after the Wednesday burial.
- The two Marys came to see the Sepulchre just before sunset late Saturday afternoon, noticing that the stone had already been removed from the tomb itself.
- Mary Magdalene brought the other women at sunrise to anoint His body who now saw how far the stone had been flung from the opening.
- An angel announced that Yeshua had been risen and invites them to look into the Sepulchre.
- Several other angels within the Sepulchre confirmed that He was risen and instructed them to go and tell the disciples.
- The women rushed from the tomb to tell the disciples what they had experienced. Mary Magdalene found Peter and told him that Yeshua's body had been taken.
- Peter and Lazarus came to the tomb and looking in, saw the grave clothes.
- Mary Magdalene arrived after Peter and Lazarus, but remained at the tomb where she saw the risen Lord, first mistaking Him for the Gardner.
- Yeshua revealed Himself to Mary but warned her not to touch Him, yet.
- She went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, but they still didn't believe her.
- At some point Yeshua appeared to Peter, who evidently related the experience to other un-named disciples.
- Yeshua then appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and they returned to Jerusalem so as to tell the disciples that they had seen Him.
- As they spake Yeshua appeared to all eleven, Thomas not being there (but Judas Iscariot was).
- Later Yeshua appeared to all Twelve.
- They went to Galilee where He appeared to them along with five hundred others.
- They returned to Jerusalem where He ascended into heaven to be seated upon GOD's right hand.
- They witnessed for about forty years and then He returned in 70 A.D.
MATTHEW |
MARK |
LUKE |
JOHN |
Joseph of Arimathaea 26:57-60 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. |
Joseph of Arimathaea 15:42-46 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom ofGod, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. |
Joseph of Arimathaea 23:50-53 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. |
Joseph of Arimathaea 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being adisciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. |
Mary and Mary 26:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. |
Mary and Mary 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother ofJoses beheld where he was laid. |
Mary and Mary 23:55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
Nicodemus 19:39-40 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 19:41-42 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. |
Sealed the Sepulchre 26:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. |
. |
. |
. |
Thursday Sabbath (JOHN 19:31) |
Thursday Sabbath (JOHN 19:31) |
Thursday Sabbath (JOHN 19:31) |
Thursday Sabbath (JOHN 19:31) |
Friday |
Friday 16:1 And when the [High] sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. |
Friday 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the [weekly] sabbath day according to the commandment. |
Friday |
Saturday Sabbath Resurrection after 3 pm |
Saturday Sabbath Resurrection after 3 pm |
Saturday Sabbath Resurrection after 3 pm |
Saturday Sabbath Resurrection after 3 pm |
End of the Sabbath 28:1-4 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn [sunset] toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (And, behold, there was [had been] a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.) |
. |
. |
Before Sunrise Sunday 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. |
. |
About Sunrise Sunday 16:1-4 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall [did] roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was [had been] rolled [back far] away: for it was very great. . |
About Sunrise Sunday 24:1-2 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. |
. |
Women at Sepulchre 28:5-8a And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy. . . |
Women at Sepulchre 16:5-8a And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed. . . |
.Women at Sepulchre 24:3-9a And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed there about, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. And returned from the sepulchre. . . |
. |
They told the Disciples 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. |
They told the Disciples 16:8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man [along the way]; for they were afraid. |
They told the Disciples 24:9-11 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven [not Peter?], and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. |
Mary runs to tell Peter 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved [Lazarus], and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. |
. |
. |
Peter to Sepulchre 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. |
Peter to Sepulchre 20:3-10 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did out run Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 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. |
. |
. |
. |
Mary alone at Sepulchre 20:11-13 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto 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. |
. |
. |
|
Mary Magdalene sees the risen Lord 20:14-17 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, 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. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. |
. |
. |
. |
Mary tells disciples she has seen the Lord 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her. |
. |
Road to Emmaus 16:12-13 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. |
Road to Emmaus 24:13-35 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. |
. |
Yeshua appears to the disciples 28:9 . . .behold, Jesus met them saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. |
Yeshua appears to the disciples. 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven [without Thomas] as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. |
Yeshua appears to the disciples. 24:36-49 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when hehad thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of abroiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. |
Yeshua appears to the disciples 20:19-23 Then the same day at evening [3 pm to 6 pm], being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. |
. |
. |
. |
Thomas Does Not Believe 20:24-25 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. |
. |
. |
. |
After eight days... 20:26-29 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he toThomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. |
Into Galilee 28:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. |
. |
. |
. |
Their Commission 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HolyGhost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. |
Their Commission 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. |
. |
. |
The Ascension |
The Ascension |
The Ascension |
The Ascension |
The Parousia- 70 A.D. |
The Parousia- 70 A.D. |
The Parousia- 70 A.D. |
The Parousia- 70 A.D. |