The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith and theology, celebrated worldwide every Easter Sunday. The exact time of Jesus’ resurrection, however, is a topic that has been widely debated among scholars and theologians. The Gospels offer a few details regarding the events of Easter Sunday, but they do not specify a precise hour of the resurrection. Instead, they describe the moments leading up to the discovery of the empty tomb, the arrival of the women to the tomb, and the angelic announcement of Jesus’ rising.
Despite the lack of an exact timestamp, understanding the timing of Jesus’ resurrection requires a deep dive into the cultural and historical context of the first century, as well as the accounts given in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Additionally, the timing of Jesus’ resurrection carries significant theological implications for Christians around the world, as it affirms His victory over death and guarantees the hope of eternal life for believers.
In this article, we will explore the timing of Jesus’ resurrection, discuss the key Gospel passages that describe the events of Easter Sunday, and reflect on the significance of the resurrection in Christian doctrine.
The Biblical Accounts of the Resurrection
The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—each provide accounts of the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though the details of these accounts vary slightly, they all agree on one essential point: Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecies and promises made throughout His ministry. The Gospels offer some clues about the time of day, but they do not provide a precise hour.
Matthew’s Account of the Resurrection
In the Gospel of Matthew, the resurrection is described in Chapter 28. Matthew writes that after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb. When they arrived, there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord appeared, rolling back the stone that sealed the tomb. The angel declared that Jesus had risen from the dead and instructed the women to go quickly and tell the disciples (Matthew 28:1-7).
Here is the relevant passage from the Gospel of Matthew (KJV):”In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.” (Matthew 28:1)
The phrase “as it began to dawn” suggests that the resurrection occurred at or just before sunrise, when the first light of the new day began to break over the horizon. This indicates that Jesus likely rose from the dead at some point during the night, but the exact time remains unspecified.
Mark’s Account of the Resurrection
In Mark’s Gospel, the women arrive at the tomb early in the morning, after the sun has risen. The specific time mentioned is “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2), indicating that the resurrection occurred before they arrived at the tomb. Mark 16:1-6 describes the women bringing spices to anoint Jesus’ body and finding the stone rolled away. Inside the tomb, they encounter a young man (an angel), who tells them that Jesus is no longer there because He has risen.
Mark’s description of the timing emphasizes the early morning hour, indicating that by the time the women arrived, Jesus had already risen. This further supports the idea that the resurrection likely occurred sometime before sunrise.
Luke’s Account of the Resurrection
The Gospel of Luke provides a more detailed account of the events surrounding the resurrection. In Luke 24:1-3, we learn that the women came to the tomb early in the morning, bringing the spices they had prepared. They were surprised to find the stone rolled away and the body of Jesus missing. Two men in dazzling clothing appeared and told them that Jesus had risen. In Luke 24:22-24, two disciples on the road to Emmaus later describe how some of the women had reported the empty tomb, and the resurrection was proclaimed as a reality.
Luke does not give an explicit time for the resurrection, but his narrative aligns with the others in indicating that it occurred early in the morning, before the women arrived at the tomb. The timing seems to align with the events described in the other Gospels—at or around dawn.
John’s Account of the Resurrection
In John’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is mentioned as arriving at the tomb early while it was still dark (John 20:1). Upon seeing the stone rolled away, she runs to inform Peter and the beloved disciple (traditionally understood to be John). Afterward, Peter and the disciple return to the tomb and find it empty, with the burial cloths neatly arranged. In John’s account, Mary Magdalene later encounters Jesus outside the tomb, and He reveals Himself to her.
The detail that it was “still dark” when Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb in John 20:1 suggests that Jesus’ resurrection may have taken place during the darkness of the night, likely at some point before dawn. However, the Gospel does not provide a specific hour for the resurrection itself.
Theological Significance of the Timing
While the Gospels do not provide a precise time for Jesus’ resurrection, the emphasis on the early morning hours has theological significance. The resurrection occurred on the first day of the week, which became a cornerstone of early Christian practice. Sunday, or the “Lord’s Day,” has been celebrated as the day of Jesus’ resurrection ever since the early church, as it symbolizes the new creation that began with Jesus’ victory over death. The early morning hours also signify a new beginning, as darkness gives way to the light of a new day.
Additionally, the resurrection at dawn signifies the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that He would rise from the dead. In John 2:19 (KJV), Jesus declared:”Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
By rising on the third day, Jesus confirmed His authority over death and demonstrated that He was the promised Messiah who had come to offer salvation to the world. The timing of the resurrection is less important than the event itself, which is the foundation of Christian hope.
The “Third Day” and the Timing of Jesus’ Resurrection
Another important aspect to consider is the significance of the “third day” mentioned in the Gospels. Jesus’ resurrection occurred three days after His crucifixion, which is a key element in Christian doctrine. The third day is symbolic of completion and fulfillment, echoing Old Testament themes of the third day as a time of divine intervention and blessing.
For example, in the book of Jonah, the prophet is swallowed by a great fish and is in its belly for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). On the third day, Jonah is spit out onto dry land, which many Christians interpret as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection. Similarly, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Himself alludes to the “sign of Jonah” in Matthew 12:40, indicating that His resurrection would occur after three days.
The reference to the third day in the resurrection narrative highlights the significance of Jesus’ triumph over death, symbolizing both a literal and spiritual renewal.
Conclusion
Although the Bible does not specify an exact time for Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday, the accounts in the Gospels make it clear that it occurred on the first day of the week, during the early hours of the morning. The resurrection is described as taking place “as it began to dawn” (Matthew 28:1), “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2), and “while it was still dark” (John 20:1). These descriptions suggest that Jesus rose from the dead at some point in the darkness before dawn, though the exact time remains unspecified.
What is most important, however, is not the precise time but the fact of the resurrection itself. The resurrection of Jesus is the central event in Christianity, affirming His divinity and offering the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him. The resurrection marks the victory of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (KJV):”But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
The timing of the resurrection may remain uncertain, but its significance remains clear: Jesus rose from the dead, and through His resurrection, He has conquered death for all who trust in Him.
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