Theories discussing the death of Jesus Christ range from Wednesday through
to Friday.

 
     Wednesday - the '3 days and 3 nights' view.

     Thursday  - the exclusive 'third day' view.

     Friday    - the traditional view. 

The different views on the day of death claim different proofs:


     FRIDAY    - the day prior to the weekly Jewish Sabbath
                 Jesus Christ died prior to a Sabbath. (Mark 15:42)

               - fits the 'third day'(Matt 16:21) requirement, if the days
                 are counted inclusively (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

               - the 'day of Preparation'(Mark 15:42), if Scripture uses
                 this term in relation to preparation for the weekly
                 Sabbath.

        
     THURSDAY  - fits the 'third day' requirement, if the days are counted
                 exclusively, ie excluding the day of His death.


     WEDNESDAY - provides scope for the fulfillment of '3 days and 3 nights
                 in the heart of the earth' (Matt 12:40)

               - fits the 'after three days'(Matt 27:63) requirement, if
                 this expression is referring to three 24 hour periods

               - commonly understood to allow for the purchase and
                 subsequent preparation of spices between two holy days.
                 (Refer Mark 16:1 & Luke 23:56)

               - would coincide with the middle of the week, a time when
                 according to Daniel 9:27 there would be an end to
                 sacrifice and offering. 

Most agree that Christ rose Sunday morning.     


Nevertheless, those who believe Christ died on Wednesday often teach
that Christ rose late Saturday. 


Scripture repeatedly states Jesus Christ rose on the third day! So
which day is presented as 'the third day'?
     

    Luke 24:12  But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping
                down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves;
                and he departed, marveling to himself at what had
                happened.
           :13  Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day
                to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven
                miles from Jerusalem.

           :15  So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that
                Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
           
           :17  And He said to them, "What kind of conversation
                is this that you have with one another as you walk
                and are sad?"

           :19  ... And they said to Him, "The things concerning
                Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed
                and word before God and all the people,
           :20  "and how the chief priests and our rulers
                delivered Him to be condemned to death, and
                crucified Him.
           :21  But we were hoping that it was He who was going
                to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today
                is the third day since these things happened".


Jesus Christ met and talked with the two apostles travelling to Emmaus on
the afternoon of the same day that His resurrection was first apparent to
His disciples. This day, was the day following the weekly Sabbath.


This Sunday is described in Luke 24:21 as the 'third day since', suggesting
Sunday was the prophesied 'third day' of resurrection. Luke 24:21 uses the
word 'since', however, one should keep in mind the bible in counting days
normally counts inclusively, ie without the implication of such notions as
'since' or 'after'.


It should also be noted this Sunday was no ordinary Jewish day. This Sunday
was the day of the commanded wave sheaf offering, a ceremony which initiated
the new years harvest.

Other factors need to be considered, but there is a strong suggestion that
Sunday was indeed the day of resurrection.