Answer by Aguinaldo Angeles for Where is what Luke 24:46, 1Cor 15:4 states written in Heb Bible that Christ would rise from the dead on the Third Day?

Luke 24:46 connection with the OT
OT Reference concerning the third day Leviticus 23:11,15, Exodus 12:1-1, Numbers 28, 29,

Introduction:

The central theme and message of the New Testament is undoubtedly the story of the resurrected Jesus Christ. All four gospels end with it. The book of Acts also revolves around the preaching and declaring of this very message and all the doctrine presented in Paul’s epistles and other epistles holds on its truth. Romans 1:4. The hope of all the New Testament believers is the coming of the resurrected Christ. Acts 1:9-11, I Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:4-58, Titus 2:13. The Bible does not only declare that Jesus rose from the grave. IT strongly asserted that Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. Paul made it clear that the Gospel is about the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day according to the scriptures. 1Corinthians 15:3-4. The third-day resurrection was mentioned by the Lord Jesus, as a sign in John 2:19 as he was challenged by his hearers to prove His claims, and 13 times as a prophetic declaration in his private conversation with His disciples (I intentionally excluded Matthew 12:40 because I personally believed that it is not in line with this third-day slogan). It is worth noting here that He made this declaration and introduced this new truth – that he will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day when His disciples were already convinced that he is the Messiah. Matthew 16: 21, Mark 8:32, Luke 9:21. One other observation we may point out is that this third-day language seems to be absent in John’s Gospel except in John 2:19. One of these utterances by Jesus Christ with this “third-day” language is the focus of our case study today. It is found in Luke 24:46:

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

This He uttered on the same day He was resurrected from the dead as He explained from the Scriptures to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus that the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.

Paying close attention to the wording of the passage shows that Jesus Christ was making a connection between His third-day resurrection to the OT writings.The passage reads, “thus it is written... and to rise from the dead the third day.” This is the first time this third-day resurrection was connected to the OT, the second is in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, which solidifies that this is true. (Two Witness). The OT presented clearly that Jesus will suffer, die, and be raised from the dead. Psalms 22, Isaiah 53, and Psalms 16:10 are some of the examples of this prophecy. But looking thoroughly throughout the Old Testament, we will learn that there is no direct Old Testament passage that prophesies or mentions that the Messiah will rise from the dead or from the grave on the third day. So, where and how can we find the OT reference that pertains to Jesus' resurrection on the third day as He stated in Luke 24:46?

In this presentation, I will offer two possible ways we can make a connection between Luke 24:46 and the OT writings.

1. By looking at how OT used this Adverbial phrase the third day and how these verses can be related to Jesus' resurrection.

The adverbial phrase the third day was mentioned 36 times in the OT. In all these 36 verses, the closest verse with which we can make a connection to the third-day resurrection language is found in Hosea 6:2 which is also the last verse in the OT. This is the prophecy proclaimed by the prophet Hosea to backslide Israel and Judah. The promise of the restoration or resurrection will come on the third day if they will repent. This is somewhat of an obscure verse and can only be a good reference if we combine all the OT verses that mention the third day. Looking at these 36 verses, there is a recurring idea and motif that this third-day language is presenting in OT and that is “the shortness of time”. In a very short time, Jesus rose from the grave as he promised according to the scripture.

But more interestingly, there is seemingly a progressive truth that is being built in this third-day phrase in the Bible in connection to God’s divine plan of salvation. which culminates in Jesus Christ's resurrection. In the New Testament, this adverbial phrase the third day was mentioned 16 times. In fourteen out of the 16 verses, we will find out that it always qualifies the verb “raise” or “rise” and is always in relation to Jesus’ resurrection. Looking to all these 56 verses we will see this progressive truth.Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19, 27:64; Mark 9:31,10:34, Luke 9:22, 13:32, 18:33, 24:7,24:21, 24:46, Acts 10:40, 1 Corinthians 15:4

These are the following:a. It implies shortness of time, a period of short time, Genesis 1:13, Esther 4:16, John 2:19b. It implies the bringing forth of life and fruitfulness Genesis 1:13, 1 Kings 3:18c. It implies judgment Genesis 34:25, Genesis 40:20d. It implies confirmation of promise. Exodus 19:11,15-16, 1 Samuel 20:5-12: 1 King 12:12; 2 Kings 20:5-8e. It implies hope and deliverance Genesis 42:18; Numbers 19:12-19, Esther 5:1f. It implies completion Ezra 6:15,g. It implies a new beginning, John 2:1, and all the references about the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day.h. It implies Good news. 2 Samuel 1:2; Hosea 6:2

Uniting these 52 verses, 36 from the OT and 16 from NT passages we can arrive at a fuller meaning of Jesus' resurrection on the third according to scriptures or as it is written.

The resurrection on the third day of our Lord Jesus implies, in the shortness of time Christ brought life, fruitfulness, hope, deliverance, and judgment to those who rejected him and will reject him, confirmed the promise, completed his redemptive work, and offered good news to all.

2. Another way that I found as a possible OT allusion to the resurrection of Jesus on the third day in the OT is the Feast of the Passover or the Unleavened Bread and the Feast of the First Fruits.

The death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ are clearly associated and are in line with the date and timing of the Feast of the Passover or Feast of the Unleavened Bread and the Feast of First Fruits. Paul used the Passover lamb as a typology of Jesus as our Passover lamb. In the New Testament, there are 4 passages that allude that Jesus was the First Fruit which was foreshadowed by the first fruits that were offered during the Feast of the First Fruits.

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

Acts 26:23 KJV

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Colossians 1:18 KJV

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Revelation 1:5 KJV

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

All these 4 verses echoed the Feast of the First Fruits and the First Fruit offering and were intentionally or unintentionally connected by the writer to the resurrection from the dead or from the grave of Jesus Christ. Because of these obvious connections and how the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day happened exactly on the day of the First Fruits, it is of great importance that we account for the dating of these events properly. We need to answer and account properly the date of the Feast of the First Fruit. I personally believe that the proper interpretation of these events is the link that connects with the third-day resurrection language we read Luke 24:46 as was mentioned by Jesus.

The passage to be studied:Leviticus 23:4-11 and Exodus 12:15-16;

The Problem Text verse 11,

First, looking at Leviticus 23:4-11

The date or even the time of the killing of the Passover lamb as well as the date and the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was clearly stated in the Scriptures. Exodus 12:6, Leviticus 23:5-8. As for the killing of the Passover lamb, it must be killed on the even or 3 PM of the 14thday of the month of Nisan Exodus 12:6. The Feast of Unleavened Bread actually begins on the last meal of the 14th Day or the evening of the 15th day of the same month Leviticus 23:6-7. The unclear date is the Feast of the First Fruits. The only hint that was given is found in Leviticus 23:11, in the phrase “tomorrow after the sabbath...”

Two interpretation

For millennia, this statement “tomorrow after the sabbath”, found in these passages, has become a subject of great debate dating from before Christ leading up to our time. This problematic passage has been interpreted differently by the two religious parties in Jesus’ time – the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees interpret the sabbath mentioned in Leviticus 23:11, tomorrow after the sabbath as the first day of the Unleavened Bread which is the 15th of Nisan.

Because the 15th day is a Holy Convocation no servile work will be done. Maybe it is because the convocation day was also considered a sabbath in Leviticus 23:23-44. Comparing the 15th as a holy convocation to the other feast days that were referred to as Holy convocations where no servile work should be done as Sabbath aside from regular Sabbath, one can conclude that the phrase found in Leviticus 23:11 was referring to the 15th or the first day of the unleavened bread.

The dating will be as follows:

• The 14th is the day where they are commanded to kill the Passover Lamb at even (3 pm)
• The 15th is the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread
• The 16th is the Feast of the First Fruits

With this line of interpretation, the feast of the first fruits will always be on the 16th but can fall on any day of the week.

Looking at this line of interpretation we can simply say that the feast of the first fruits as being the third day is closely related to the third-day resurrection mentioned by The Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 24:46

Let us also consider the other side of the interpretation of this problematic text. The Sadducees interpret this very differently. They interpret this tomorrow after the Sabbath as the regular sabbath. This means that the feast of the first fruits could fall on a different date as the years go by, but will always fall on the first day of the week or Sunday.

The dating will be as follows:

• 14th is the day they are commanded to kill the Passover Lamb at even (3 pm)
• 15th is the beginning of the feast of Unleavened BreadAfter the regular Sabbath is The First Fruit. It always falls on the first day of the week or Sunday

Which one is right?

The big question is which interpretation leads to the proper accounting of the third day? These two cannot be both right. Only one will hold water on properly accounting for the third-day connection to the OT if we compare the day Jesus was Crucified and rose again as narrated in the Gospels. Here we will encounter another problem if we compare the synoptic Gospel accounts Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:12, and Luke 22:7, to John 13:1, John 18:28, and 19:14 of the passion week, which we don’t have time to discuss.

A scenario where this can both fall on the same dating

These two differing interpretations can only be accidentally or providently correct if one will hold on to the narration found in the Gospel of John and have a valid biblical and historical explanation of why the Synoptic Gospel accounts these days differently.

Timing of Jesus' Death Burial and resurrection according to John’s narration

• The 14th of Nisan-Passover was killed- Jesus' crucifixion. (6th day- Friday)
• 15th of Nisan-Feast of Unleavened Bread- Jesus being buried from the dead (Sabbath day, Saturday)
• 16th of Nisan-Feast of the First Fruits- Jesus, early in the morning rose from the grave. (First day of the week, Sunday)
  But it will have a different effect if one follows the Synoptic narration of the passion week.

Different Effects with Synoptic Narration

This dating will be different if we follow the narration of the Synoptic and somewhat go against the interpretation of the Pharisees and the translation of the Septuagint.)

The timing of Jesus' Death Burial and resurrection according to the Synoptic narration will be as follows:

• 14th of Nisan-Passover was killed- Jesus ate the Passover with the disciples. (Thursday)
• 15th of Nisan-Feast of Unleavened Bread-Jesus was Crucified (6th day, Friday)
• 16th of Nisan-Jesus was buried and on the grave. (Sabbath day)
• 17th of Nisan-Feast of the First Fruits-Jesus, early in the morning rose from the grave. (First day of the week, Sunday)

Links that solved and connect these two events with Luke 24:46

1. All the New Testament references that connect the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the feast of the first fruits paint the picture of resurrection from the grave.

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJVS

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

Acts 26:23 KJVS

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Colossians 1:18 KJVS

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Revelation 1:5 KJVS

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

2. All the post-resurrection declaration of Jesus' resurrection has an image of resurrection from the grave. Matthew 28:6-7, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:5-7, John 21:14, Acts 10:40
3. Looking closely at the four Gospel narrations, Jesus' burial started around 6 PM and finished around 3 AM after the crucifixion.

Accounting this third-day resurrection will give us this scenario from

• 14th of Nisan-Passover was killed- Jesus was crucified. (Thursday)
• 15th of Nisan-Feast of Unleavened Bread- he was buried around 6 PM – 3 AM (6th day, Friday) First day
• 16th of Nisan-Jesus was on the grave. (Sabbath day) Second day
• 17th of Nisan-Feast of the First Fruits- Jesus, early in the morning rose from the grave. (First day of the week, Sunday) Third dayComparing this to the feast of Unleavened bread the day to the Feast of the First Fruits as explained in Exodus 12:15-16. Will give us the third-day link.

15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 And in the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.

• First day of Unleavened bread: 15th of Nisan, Jesus was Buried (Friday)
• Second day of Unleavened Bread: 16th of Nisan, Jesus was in the Grave (Saturday)
• Third day of Unleavened bread: 17th of Nisan, (the feast of the first fruits) Jesus rose from the grave.

The first Passover lamb was sacrificed on the 14th of Nisan on the 5th day of the week, Thursday, The Feast of the Unleavened bread falls on the 6th day of the week 15th of Nisan, Friday, the sabbath day (the second day of the feast of the unleavened Bread) 16th of Nisan, Feast of the First Fruits falls on the Third day of Unleavened bread, first day of the week, Sunday 17th of Nisan, when it was first instituted. The Death, Burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ providentially fall on the same days of the week.

Conclusions
It is a big possibility that the OT passage Jesus and Paul that pertains to the third-day resurrection has something to do with the feast of the Unleavened Bread up to the feast of the first fruits in which through divine providential act happened on the exact day Jesus was buried and rose again.

I personally believe that the right interpretation of Leviticus 23:11 “ tomorrow after the sabbath” which links Luke 24:46 to the OT writings referring to the regular sabbath for the following reasons:

1. The law of first mention. Leviticus 23:3 refers to the regular sabbath, why interpret vs 11 as an irregular sabbath when this irregular sabbath was first mentioned in verses 24-44

2. The context itself. Leviticus 23:16 refers to the seven regular sabbaths so it follows that vs 11 is a regular sabbath. (Pentecost always falls on Sunday, the first day of the week)

3. The words of Jesus Christ in Luke 24:46 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:4Jesus is the Passover lamb, The Unleavened Bread, and the first fruits that foreshadow these events.

4. The New Testament teaching pictures in mind the resurrection from the grave on the third day, Matthew 28:6-7, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:5-7, John 21:14, Acts 10:40 (1 Corinthians 15:20 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept."; Acts 26:23 "That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."; Colossians 1:18 "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."; Revelation 1:5 KJVS "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.") and a closer inspection of the passages narrated in the Gospel suggests that the possible time of Jesus' burial begins somewhere from 6 PM which is considered as a new day in Jewish accounting of day.

5. The timing of Jesus' burial, his own prophecy and statement that He will rise on the third day, and other verses in the New Testament will help us connect Luke 24:46 to these OT Feast mentioned in Exodus 12, Leviticus 23:4-16

6. The timing of Jesus' Death as Narrated in the Four Gospels is in line with Leviticus 23:11-15, Exodus 12:18-19 Timing14th of Nisan Fifth day of the week (Thursday) -Jesus was Crucified and gave up the ghost at even, around 3 PM(First day of Unleavened Bread) 15th of Nisan sixth day of the week (Friday) Jesus was buried at even around 6PM(Second day of Unleavened Bread) 16th of Nisan, Sabbath day, Jesus was in the grave. (Third day of Unleavened Bread) 17th of Nisan, first day of the week, the feast of the first fruit, very early in the morning (still at night time) Jesus rose from the grave.