Three Days and Three Nights

The Different Calendars

Several details might be helpful while analyzing this story. First, the “different calendars” concept: the Passover feast days were calculated differently by different groups. The difference between the Pharisaic date of Passover and the Saduccean date a day earlier, might explain the discrepancy between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John. The Essenes also used their own calendar, and Jesus could have celebrated Passover in the Essene facilities, according to their calendar. 
 

The Fast of the Firstborns

Even more important is the fact that as Galileans, Jesus and his disciples would have observed the Galilean traditions. One of the most important differences between Judean and Galilean Passover observance was a special fast—the Fast of the Firstborns. In Jewish tradition, the last meal before a fast is a very significant event. Thus, on Wednesday night, Jesus and His disciples gathered to eat this special Last Supper – the last meal before the Fast.
 

See the Sign of Jonah fulfilled

According to this concept, Jesus died on the cross on Thursday, 14th of Nisan. In this case, the sign of Jonah was fulfilled precisely—and even though it’s still just a guess, you can see that without knowing Jewish customs connected to Passover at the time of Jesus, we can really miss a lot. Sign up for our course Jewish Background of the New Testament and the last week of Jesus’ earthly life will become much clearer to you.