Counsels on Christian Worldview

Counsel #5 — What Day Was The Sabbath?

Picture: Counsel #5 — What Day Was The Sabbath? CCW 97.1

How do we really know which day of the week is the Sabbath? One of the easiest ways to figure this out based on the Bible is by looking at when Jesus was crucified. According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified on the Jewish preparation day, and was resurrected on the first day of the week. We know that the Jews have always kept a careful record of the weekly cycle and seventh-day Sabbath for two reasons. First, breaking it was punishable by death.^[149] Second, they had learned the importance of diligence after they lost God’s protection for their disobedience and were conquered and captured by the Babylonians for 70 years. To this day, the preparation day for the Jews is Friday, which means that the Sabbath can only be Saturday. Furthermore, Luke 24:1 shows that the day after the Sabbath was the first day of the week.^[150] CCW 97.2

“That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.” Luke 23:54 NKJV CCW 97.3

“Christ rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day, and when holy beings of both Heaven and earth were astir on the morning of the first day of the week, he rose from the grave to renew his work of teaching his disciples.” Ellen White in The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, p. 204.2 CCW 97.4

Reflect: How does the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus provide clarity on the Sabbath day? CCW 97.5