“SPECULATION about the day and year timing of Christ’s crucifixion and death stems from the lack of direct day-to-day correlation in the Gospel accounts,” says christianity.com. Gospel writers wrote about events — not specific timings. They presented Jesus to various groups and did not give detailed dates. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John say Jesus died on Preparation Day. But was that day a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?”
Friday fits best with the Gospel accounts, christianity.com says. The New Testament says Jesus rose on the third day — not necessarily after three full days.
“It is not all that important to know what day of the week Christ was crucified,” gotquestions.org says. “If it were very important, then God’s Word would have clearly communicated the day and timeframe. What is important is that he did die and that he physically, bodily rose from the dead.”
“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17 ESV). The following account is largely from Matthew 27:1-56 ESV:
THEY CAPTURED JESUS in the Garden of Gethsemane. Morning came, and the chief priests and elders talked about how to legally kill Jesus. They bound him and led him to Roman Governor Pilate. Judas saw Jesus was condemned and brought back the 30 pieces of silver, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” He then hanged himself.
JESUS STOOD before the governor who asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” The chief priests and elders accused Jesus, but he said nothing. Pilate said, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” Jesus gave him no answer to any charge. The governor was amazed.
BARABBAS WAS NOTORIOUS. It was custom at the feast for the governor to release for the crowd any prisoner they wanted. Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate knew they were jealous of Jesus and had brought Jesus to him for that reason. While Pilate was judging Jesus, Pilate’s wife had sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for last night I had a dream about him, and it troubled me very much.”
THE CHIEF PRIESTS and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor asked again, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” They said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They said, “Let him be crucified!” Pilate said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” Ultimately, sentencing was up to Pontius Pilate.
PILATE SAW he was getting nowhere and feared a riot might ensue, so he washed his hands with water in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” The people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” He released Barabbas, scourged Jesus, and delivered him to be crucified.
PILATE’S SOLDIERS took Jesus into the headquarters, gathered the whole battalion before him, stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. They placed a soldier-made crown of thorns on his head. They put a reed (a stick) in his right hand and kneeled before him and mocked, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spit on him and took the stick and struck him on the head. They stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
SIMON OF CYRENE was forced by soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross. Roman soldiers had the legal right to make Simon do that.
ON GOLGOTHA (meaning “Place of a Skull”), they nailed Jesus to his cross. They offered him wine mixed with gall, but he tasted it and wouldn’t drink. They crucified him and divided his clothing among them by casting lots. Over his head they put a sign that had told the charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
TWO ROBBERS were crucified with him — one on the right and one on the left. People passing by shook their heads and said, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” The chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now… For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
THE SIXTH HOUR (noon) brought darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3 p.m.) when Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” meaning, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Soon Jesus cried out loudly again and gave up his spirit. The curtain in the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and many bodies of dead saints were raised and appeared to many in the city.
THE CENTURION (a Roman army officer in charge of 100 men) and many with him saw the earthquake and what took place at the crucifixion. They were stunned and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
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