Hello Mr Daniel Regha @DanielRegha,
Your question is very valid and it is one that many logical people like you have thought about. Even though I shouldnโt have answered, but I answered because I havenโt seen any satisfactory answer from your CS. In light of this, I will be answering the questions.
Note: my response here is not an attack on your faith, but an opportunity to look at some historical blind spots you might not be aware of.
First of all, when you place the modern church calendar next to the scriptures, the math does not add up. Specifically, Matthew 12:40 says three days AND three nights. If the crucifixion happened on Friday afternoon and the resurrection before dawn on Sunday, you only have two nights. The third night is missing.
This gap exists because the timeline you are trying to calculate is a historical patchwork. It was stitched together from different early traditions with varying theological goals.
For instance, if you read the works of top New Testament historians, you will see how this patchwork was formed. Bart Ehrman in his book "Jesus, Interrupted", explained how the gospel writers adjusted timelines for theological reasons. He pointed out that Matthew included the three days and three nights prophecy to draw a direct parallel with Jonah.
Even renowned Christian biblical scholars acknowledged these shifts. Raymond E. Brown, in his two volume book "The Death of the Messiah", specifically noted that the Gospel of John placed the crucifixion on the Day of Preparation.
John used this theological framing so the event would align with the precise moment the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the temple. This created a completely different timeline from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, where the Passover meal is eaten before the crucifixion.
Then the final patchwork was enforced centuries later at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Emperor Constantine and the early bishops wanted to distance the growing religion from the Jewish Passover calculations. So they officially locked the celebration into the Friday and Sunday structure to fit a Roman liturgical calendar, leaving behind the glaring mathematical hole you just noticed in the scripture.
So Daniel, what youโve discovered is a classic case of historical committees trying to harmonize a patchwork of different traditions, which inevitably leaves these logical blind spots. I hope this serves as a good learning opportunity for you and others asking the same question.
Thank you for your attention.
This is Eid al-Fiแนญr prayer ground from Alor-Agu Muslims community in Igbo Eze South LGA Nsukka District of Enugu state Nigeria. 01 / 10/ 1447.
20/ 03/ 2026