Jesus was in the tomb only about thirty-six hours (from late Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning)-not three full days as some people might conclude from Paul’s statement that He was raised on the third day.

The day for the Jewish people during New Testament times began after sundown and ended at the following sundown (read John 11:9). They referred to a partial day as if it were a full day.

Thus, Jesus was laid in the tomb on late Friday after noon, just before the day ended. He was in the tomb one full day-from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. He was resurrected early on Sunday morning, or on the the “third day” by paul”s Jewish method of reckoning time.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:4 – That he [Jesus] was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.