What Time Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?




  • Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which is Sunday, according to all four Gospels.
  • The Gospels describe different timings: Mark mentions “when the sun had risen,” Matthew and Luke refer to “at early dawn,” and John states it was “still dark” when Mary arrived.
  • Disagreements about the exact timing stem from differences in language, authorship perspectives, and interpretations of ancient time-keeping practices.
  • The resurrection’s timing symbolizes the victory over death and is foundational for Christian faith, marking the beginning of a new creation.
This entry is part 15 of 21 in the series Easter in Christianity

What time did jesus rise from the dead

What do the Gospels say about the time Jesus rose from the dead?

The Gospels provide slightly different accounts regarding the exact time of Jesus’s resurrection, but they all agree that it occurred on the first day of the week, which we now call Sunday or Easter Sunday. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024; Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536)

According to the Gospel of Mark, the women who went to the tomb found it empty “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) The Gospel of Matthew states that “as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week” the women came to the tomb and found it empty (Matthew 28:1). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) Luke’s Gospel says the women came to the tomb “at early dawn” (Luke 24:1). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) And in the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb “while it was still dark” and found it empty (John 20:1). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536)

So the Gospels indicate that the resurrection occurred sometime around dawn or the early morning hours on the first day of the week, with some accounts suggesting it may have happened before the sun fully rose. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024; Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536)

Why do Christians disagree about the exact time of Jesus’s resurrection?

Although the Gospels agree that the resurrection happened on the first day of the week, they provide slightly different details about the precise timing. This has led to some disagreement and discussion among Christians about the exact time of the resurrection. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)

Some of the reasons for this disagreement include:

  1. The Gospels use slightly different language to describe the timing, with terms like “when the sun had risen,” “as it began to dawn,” “at early dawn,” and “while it was still dark.” This leaves room for interpretation about whether the resurrection occurred before or after sunrise. (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536)
  2. The Gospels were written by different authors, each with their own perspective and emphasis. The slight variations in timing details may reflect these different perspectives rather than contradictions. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)
  3. The resurrection was a miraculous, supernatural event that transcended normal time and space. Trying to pin down the precise timing may be less important than understanding the theological significance of the resurrection itself. (โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)
  4. Ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman conceptions of time and the start of a new day were not always identical to modern Western understandings. This can complicate efforts to harmonize the Gospel accounts. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)

While Christians may debate the finer details, the Gospels unanimously testify that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which is the foundational truth that unites the Church. The exact timing is less important than the reality and meaning of the resurrection itself. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)

Was Jesus’s resurrection at dawn or before dawn on Easter morning?

Based on the Gospel accounts, it seems the resurrection of Jesus likely occurred sometime around dawn or the early morning hours on the first day of the week, which we now call Easter Sunday. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024; Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536)

The Gospel of Mark states that the women found the tomb empty “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) This suggests the resurrection had already taken place by the time the women arrived at the tomb as the sun was rising.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke use language indicating the women came to the tomb “at early dawn” (Luke 24:1) or “as it began to dawn” (Matthew 28:1). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) This implies the resurrection may have occurred just before the sun fully rose, in the early morning twilight.

The Gospel of John says Mary Magdalene came to the tomb “while it was still dark” (John 20:1). (Siniscalchi, 2022, pp. 534โ€“536) This could mean the resurrection happened even before the first signs of dawn, in the very early morning hours.

So Although the Gospels don’t provide an exact timestamp, the overall testimony points to the resurrection taking place around dawn or the early morning on the first day of the week. The slight variations in the accounts may reflect different perspectives on the timing rather than contradictions. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)

The precise timing is less important than the theological significance of the resurrection itself โ€“ that Jesus, who was crucified, rose from the dead, conquering sin and death. This miraculous event is the foundation of the Christian faith and the source of our hope in eternal life. (Cook, 2016, pp. 193โ€“207; โ€œInterpretations of Jesusโ€™ Resurrection in the Early Church,โ€ 2024)

The Significance of the “Third Day” in Relation to Jesus’s Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ on the “third day” is a pivotal event in the Christian faith, rich with theological and symbolic meaning.(Brodd, 2015) The number three holds deep significance in Scripture, representing completeness, divine perfection, and the triune nature of God. (Setzer, 2004) By rising on the third day, Jesus Christ demonstrated the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation, the triumph of life over death, and the restoration of humanity’s relationship with the Heavenly Father.

The “third day” motif is found throughout the Old Testament, foreshadowing the resurrection of the Messiah. For example, in the book of Hosea, God declares, “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” (Hosea 6:2) (Jendza, 2009, p. 310) This prophetic utterance points to the central role of the third day in God’s redemptive work, culminating in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What the Church Fathers Taught about the Time of Jesus’s Resurrection

The exact time of Jesus’s resurrection is not explicitly stated in the Gospels, but the Church Fathers offered various insights and interpretations. (McGrath, 1998) Some, like Tertullian, believed that Jesus rose at the exact moment of his resurrection, while others, such as Origen, suggested that the resurrection occurred at dawn on the first day of the week.

Despite the lack of a definitive timeline, the Church Fathers unanimously emphasized the theological significance of the resurrection, rather than the specific timing. They saw the resurrection as the culmination of Christ’s earthly ministry, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the foundation of Christian faith and hope. (รญโ„ขยฉรญโ€บห†รฌโ€นย, 2015, pp. 33โ€“56)

The Church Fathers also recognized the symbolic importance of the resurrection occurring on the first day of the week, which later became known as “the Lord’s Day” or Sunday. This day was chosen to commemorate the new creation and the dawn of a new era in salvation history.

The Significance of Easter Sunrise Services

Although the exact time of Jesus’s resurrection is not known, the tradition of Easter sunrise services has deep roots in Christian history and theology. (Jenson, 2011) These services, which typically take place at dawn on Easter morning, symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, the dawning of a new day, and the hope of the resurrection.

The Easter sunrise service, therefore, is not about determining the precise time of the resurrection, but rather about celebrating the transformative power of the event itself. It is a time to reflect on the new life and hope that Jesus’s resurrection brings, and to rejoice in the promise of eternal life for all who believe in him.

The timing of Jesus’s resurrection, while not definitively known, is a powerful mystery that invites us to ponder the depth of God’s love and the wonder of his redemptive plan. Let us continue to draw strength and inspiration from the “third day” motif, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the timeless tradition of the Easter sunrise service, as we proclaim the good news of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

How does Jewish time-keeping help us understand when Jesus rose from the dead?

The timing of Jesus’s resurrection is deeply rooted in the Jewish calendar and time-keeping traditions. In the Jewish reckoning of time, a new day begins at sunset, not at midnight as in the modern Western calendar. This means that the Sabbath, which runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is considered a single day.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath, which was the Preparation Day (Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, John 19:31). He was buried before sunset on that day, as the Sabbath was about to begin. The Gospels then state that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, which would have been Sunday, the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1).

This timing is major because it aligns with the Jewish understanding of the Messiah’s resurrection. In Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to rise from the dead on the third day, as a sign of God’s power and the inauguration of the new age. By rising on the third day, Jesus fulfilled this expectation and demonstrated that He is the promised Messiah.

The timing of the resurrection on the first day of the week, Sunday, holds deep symbolic meaning. Sunday was the day when God began the work of creation (Genesis 1:1-5), and it became the day when Christians celebrated the new creation brought about by Christ’s resurrection.

Does the timing of Jesus’s resurrection have spiritual significance for Christians today?

Absolutely. The timing of Jesus’s resurrection has powerful spiritual significance for Christians, both then and now.

The resurrection on the third day affirms the power of God to overcome death and the grave. It demonstrates that Jesus is the true Son of God, with the authority and ability to conquer the ultimate enemy of humanity. This gives Christians a living hope in the face of death, knowing that they too will be raised to new life.

Second, the resurrection on the first day of the week, Sunday, represents the dawn of a new era. Just as God’s creative work began on the first day, so too does the new creation in Christ begin with His resurrection. This is the foundation for the Christian practice of gathering for worship on Sundays, as a celebration of the new life and new possibilities that Jesus’s resurrection has brought.

The timing of the resurrection has deep psychological and emotional significance. The disciples had experienced the trauma and despair of Jesus’s crucifixion, only to be met with the joy and wonder of His resurrection just three days later. This dramatic shift from darkness to light, from death to life, mirrors the spiritual journey that all Christians undergo as they move from sin to salvation, from brokenness to wholeness.

The timing of Jesus’s resurrection, rooted in the Jewish calendar and time-keeping traditions, holds powerful spiritual significance for Christians. It affirms Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, establishes the foundation for Christian worship and celebration, and provides a powerful symbol of God’s ability to transform even the darkest of circumstances into the brightest of new beginnings. As we reflect on these truths, may our hearts be filled with gratitude, hope, and a renewed commitment to live as people of the resurrection.

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