# Why did it take Jesus 3 days to rise from the dead? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 28, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959 "2008-12-28T14:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/61 "2008-12-29T19:48:49Z")
Dad had a lot of chores for him to do? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/62 "2008-12-29T19:49:24Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > actually the tradition goes, he rose and was seen outside the cave. If he sees his shadow we have six more weeks of winter. > or something like that It seems he did see his shadow, so we have 2,000 years, and counting, of no return. Damn those sunny Palestinian days. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/63 "2008-12-29T21:33:32Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > God seems to use certain numbers, though I don’t know the reason why, it acts as confirmation. God has OCD? ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/64 "2008-12-29T22:33:26Z")
> [@Hap\_Shaughnessy](#): > > Zombies do require at least the beginnings of decomposition to set in… it’s vampires that can reanimate in less than a day. > > Edit: > > On second thought, Jesus may qualify as some sort of reverse-vampire – he requires his followers to drink his blood. I’m not sure how this impacts his undead status though. Further research is needed… You’ve obviously never heard of [Blood Bonds](http://whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_bond_(VTM)) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/65 "2008-12-30T04:35:44Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > I’m sure it has been debated as to whether or not mention of the “Trinity” is referenced in the Bible. I’m asking for the cite on which his claim is based. Cite: The Bible Would you like me to list every verse individually? Perhaps, instead, you could list the verse that mentions the Trinity? ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/66 "2008-12-30T04:45:35Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > Cite: The Bible > Would you like me to list every verse individually? > > Perhaps, instead, you could list the verse that mentions the Trinity? One has already been mentioned above. Use the vertical scrollbar located on the right side of the screen to navigate this web page. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/67 "2008-12-30T17:42:51Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > I’m sure it has been debated as to whether or not mention of the “Trinity” is referenced in the Bible. I’m asking for the cite on which his claim is based. I’m sure too, but that doesn’t mean that an opinion on it must be based upon those debates. It could be that his opinion is based upon his personal reading of the Bible. It could be he disagrees with the debaters on one side, which would rather tend to make sense otherwise there would be no debate. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/68 "2008-12-30T18:52:21Z")
Wasn’t it a prophecy? Just like him being born in the City of David and such, didn’t he have to rise “on the third day” (not 72 hours) to fullfill an Old Testament prophecy? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/69 "2008-12-30T19:12:56Z")
> [@](#): > > Why did it take Jesus 3 days to rise from the dead? “Thank you for calling Microsoft Resurrection Support Solutions. Your call is important to us. All of our representatives are currently busy, but if you stay on the line, someone will be with you shortly. Average current wait time is … nine thousand minutes.” ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/70 "2008-12-31T00:23:43Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > One has already been mentioned above. Use the vertical scrollbar located on the right side of the screen to navigate this web page. Since you apparently can’t be bothered to cite it yourself, I’m going to go ahead and assume you’re referring to I John 5:7 KJV: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. I guess that if we assume “the Word” is referring to Jesus of Nazareth instead of the more logical interpretation of “the Bible”, then, yeah. Got anything better? Or shall I begin listing bible verses that _don’t_ mention the trinity? (I’ll be beginning with Genesis.) ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/71 "2008-12-31T00:29:57Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Wasn’t it a prophecy? > > Just like him being born in the City of David and such, didn’t he have to rise “on the third day” (not 72 hours) to fullfill an Old Testament prophecy? I don’t know about an OT prophecy, but we have Matthew 26:61: > [@](#): > > And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. Mark 14:58 > [@](#): > > "We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’ " John 2:19 > [@](#): > > Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Of course, this doesn’t really count. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/72 "2008-12-31T03:17:38Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > KJV: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. > > I guess that if we assume “the Word” is referring to Jesus of Nazareth instead of the more logical interpretation of “the Bible”, then, yeah. More logical? Only to those who haven’t read John 1:1-3. ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/73 "2008-12-31T03:42:34Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > More logical? Only to those who haven’t read John 1:1-3. > [@](#): > > In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. No mention of Jesus here. But if we replace “the Word” with “God”, then we get: > [@](#): > > For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, God, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Not sure how this helps your argument. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/74 "2008-12-31T06:42:25Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > No mention of Jesus here. Well then, page down to John 1:14, which says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Who do you suppose that is? This passage might not mention Jesus by name, but it’s pretty obvious who it’s referring to – especially since it’s the introduction to a book in which Jesus himself is undeniably the focus. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/75 "2008-12-31T06:58:48Z")
Gees guys it was the Easter holiday weekend. You ever tried getting a carpenter to work over Easter? ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/76 "2008-12-31T07:06:15Z")
I think it’s because he had to descend and ascend. Hell and Heaven, respectively. Possibly, the shelflife of a body in a desert environment becomes officially unclean, untouchable, and ooky in decay upon the 72 hour mark. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/77 "2008-12-31T07:21:34Z")
The first Christian writer to say anything about Jesus being raised on the 3rd day was Paul (1 Cor. 15:4), who said it was done “in accordance with Scripture.” Now, it isn’t clear what scripture he was talking about since there was no Jewish scripture which made any such prediction for the Messiah, but it’s often proffered that Paul was alluding to Jonah being in the whale for three days. In any case, Mark got the 3rd day meme from Paul and built it into his empty tomb narrative. The rest of the evangelists took it from Mark. ---
**Author:** ![Hap\_Shaughnessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecc23a/32.png) [@Hap\_Shaughnessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hap_Shaughnessy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/78 "2008-12-31T10:40:18Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > You’ve obviously never heard of [Blood Bonds](http://whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_bond_(VTM)) 😃 Oh, ya, I know about vampires… I was referring to his daylight showings. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/79 "2008-12-31T11:45:35Z")
He was playing final fantasy 7 and the CD kept crashing after Sephiroth torched the village. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2008, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959/80 "2008-12-31T12:04:27Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Pilate posted a guard on Saturday, placing a seal on the stone, which, presumably was unmoved: > > Matthew 27:62-66 > > The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” > > Take a guard," Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. The Resurrection reports are full of contradictions\*. Mark (16:1-4) makes no mention of any guard and says the stone had already been rolled back. Jesus was not in the tomb. Luke (:1-3) also doesn’t mention any guard, says the stone was rolled back and that Jesus was not in the Tomb. John (20:1-7) ditto. \*apart from the guard and the stone; - who entered the Tomb - how many people they found there - who saw Jesus risen + when they saw him [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959.md?page=5)