Jesus after the Resurrection

It is interesting to look at the timing of events from the resurrection of Jesus to the time when He ascends. He is removed from the cross before the Sabbath (Saturday), which is the Sabbath of the Passover feast (the major Jewish feast that occurs once a year). So He, His body, is put into the tomb on Friday, He is dead for 3 days as prophesied, or really a part of 3 days, and He is raised from the dead on Sunday.

A key fact on this subject that may not be well known by all Bible students is that Jesus spent 40 days on the earth after His resurrection. This is recorded in Acts 1:3, "....He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." It is in this first chapter of Acts that Jesus reminds them that they are to remain in Jerusalem after He ascends into heaven until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Then in Acts chapter 2 we see the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles just as Jesus had said.

As we pursue the discussion on timing, we see that the Holy Spirit comes upon the Apostles, as recorded there in Acts 2, upon the day of Pentecost. Pentecost (meaning "50") is the next great Jewish feast occurring 50 days after the Passover Sabbath. So the Passover Sabbath occurs on Saturday, add 50 days to that and you get Pentecost occurring on Sunday. Then, backing up, since Jesus walked on the earth for 40 days starting on Sunday, the day after the Passover Sabbath, there are about 9 days left after Jesus ascends for the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem.

This might all seem a bit involved, but I think it helps to get further understanding of the timing of the final events of Jesus' life. He spent the 40 days showing himself to numerous witnesses so that faith would be strengthened.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a great week!