It is believed by some that there is an apparent contradiction between Mark 15:25 “it was the third hour, and they crucified him,” and John 19:14 “about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!” Was he crucified at the 3rd hour or was he still in the judgment hall on the 6th hour?
The Jews have more than one way of designating the time of day. The accounts given in the Bible use different designations. One of which is:
- First hour …………. Sunrise to 9 a.m.
- Third hour ……………. 9 a.m. to Noon
- Sixth hour ……………. Noon to 3 p.m.
- Ninth hour …………. 3 pm to 6 pm
Recognizing this eliminates any contradiction.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all agree in the timeline.
6th-9th would be from 12 noon till 6 pm.
Matthew 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:33-34 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Luke 23:44-45 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Just before 3pm, 9th hour, Jesus cries out “Why hast thou forsaken me,” Between the 9th and 12th hour, 3-6 pm, Jesus was given the vinegar, cries out again and dies, the veil is rent, Christ is stabbed with the spear, taken down, and buried.
I do not believe anyone has a controversy with this timeline for Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The contention is that Mark says he was crucified the 3rd hour and John says he was being judged by Pilot at the 6th hour.
Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
- The third hour in this verse is from 9am-12 pm.
John 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
- Sixth hour is 12 noon -1pm
Hence, it was between 12 and 1 pm that Pilot brought Jesus out and handed him over to be crucified.
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