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The Third Day - Jonathan Speaks with David - 1 Samuel 20:12 - FreeBibleImages.org - Used under license
This study explains the biblical meaning of "the third day" using examples from both the Old and New Testaments. This study explains the timing from Jesus' death to Jesus' resurrection and why the biblical accounting of "three days" is correct according to language usage at that time.
Bible verse quotations in this lesson are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1995 version unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).
Consider. When the scripture (Matthew 17:22-23) says that Jesus would be raised on the third day, how do you count the three days?
1. The third day is the day after tomorrow.
"Then Jonathan said to David, 'The Lord, the God of Israel, be witness! When I have sounded out my father about this time tomorrow, or the third day, behold, if there is good feeling toward David, shall I not then send to you and make it known to you?'" (1 Samuel 20:12) For your best understanding of the context, please read 1 Samuel 20:1-40 (the entire chapter).
The simplest explanation of "the third day" in the Bible is that it means the day after tomorrow (1 Samuel 20:12). Jonathan said that he would "sound out" his father (Saul) about this time tomorrow, or the third day. 2. The third day is the third day in a sequence of time. A partial day counts as a whole day when counting 1, 2, 3.
God established the pattern for a natural, biblical day beginning in Genesis 1:5. A natural day began at sundown (sunset) when evening started, and continued through the next daytime until the next sundown (Genesis 1:8, 13, 19, 23, 31). Each "day" included evening (nighttime) as well as daytime. We see that pattern for a "day" repeated in Leviticus 23:32 where the Day of Atonement ran from evening to evening.
In ancient Jewish timekeeping, a partial day was reckoned as a whole day when counting a sequence of days. For example: a. A male infant was to be circumcised on the eighth day
"And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations ..." (Genesis 17:12)
A newborn male was to be circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12). The day of birth counted as a whole day even if the child was born a short time before sundown. b. Esther proclaimed a fast for three days
"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 'Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.'" (Esther 4:15-16)
"Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms ..." (Esther 5:1) Esther proclaimed that the Jews in Susa [the capital of the Persian empire - Esther 1:2 AMP] fast for "three days" to prepare for her to plead with the king for her people (Esther 4:6-8, 16). The "first day" was the portion of the natural day that Esther proclaimed the three-day fast to begin (Esther 4:16). Esther went to speak with the king on the "third day" and to invite the king and Haman to a banquet that day (Esther 5:1, 3-5). Thus, the total period of fasting was three days including a partial first day and a partial third day according to the way the Jewish people counted partial days as full days at that time (Ref. 2). c. Jonah was in the stomach of the great fish three days and three nights
"And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:17)
"for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) What we call day and night made up a natural day (Genesis 1:5, 31). According to Matthew Poole's Commentary, "three days and three nights" is the same thing as three natural days (Ref. 3). In our modern way of thinking, Jesus' body was in the grave two nights and part of three days. In the Jewish way of thinking at that time, Jesus' body was in the grave three natural days -- a portion of the first day in which he was buried, a full second day, and a portion of the third day when he rose from the dead. Taking into consideration the Jewish way of including partial days as whole days in a sequence of days, the prophesy in Jonah 1:17 and Jesus' quotation in Matthew 12:40 are consistent with Jesus being raised on the third day (Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:31). 3. The third day is the day when Jesus rose from the dead
"And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.' And they were deeply grieved." (Matthew 17:22-23)
"He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24:6-7) In Luke 23:50-54, on the afternoon that Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus (Luke 23:52). Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in a linen cloth, and laid Jesus' body in a tomb "cut into the rock" (Luke 23:53). Joseph did this hastily because it still was "preparation day" (Ref. 4), and "the Sabbath was about to begin" (at sundown) (Luke 23:54). This portion of the sixth day of the week when the body of Jesus was entombed counted as the first of the "three days." Women who had come with Jesus out of Galilee saw the tomb and how the body was laid (Luke 23:55). The "second day" of the "three days" was the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath began at sundown a short time after Jesus had died and his body was entombed. On the "second day," the women rested according to the commandment (Luke 23:56, Exodus 20:10). On the first day of the week (we now call Sunday), the women came to the tomb bringing spices (Luke 24:1) and were expecting to find the body of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:2-3). This was the "third day." The men in dazzling appearance who spoke with the women at the tomb (Luke 24:4) told them that He had risen (Luke 24:5-6). They reminded the women that Jesus had said that he would be "delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again" (Luke 24:6-7). Jesus' death and resurrection perfectly fulfill Jesus' prophecy that on the third day he would rise again (Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:31).
Prayer. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for redeeming us, your people, through your willing, sacrificial death on a cross. We praise you, Lord Jesus, that you rose from death on the third day as you predicted. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your gift of eternal life so that we may live with you now and forever. Amen.
References
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB1995/ 2. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/esther/5.htm Keil and Delitzsch OT Commentary - Esther 5:1 3. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/matthew/12.htm Matthew Poole's Commentary - Matthew 12:40 4. https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Preparation-Day
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Image source - Arabs for Christ at FreeBibleImages.org - Used under license  "And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" (John 8:11)
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." (Isaiah 42:3)
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." (Matthew 12:20)
This lesson explains the meaning of the three phrases from Isaiah 42:3 -- "A bruised reed he will not break," "A faintly burning wick he will not quench," and "He will bring forth justice" which Matthew quoted in Matthew 12:20.
Consider. Are you a "bruised reed" (emotionally, spiritually, physically) needing the mending of Jesus? Come to him. Jesus specializes in mending broken lives.
The Bible verse quotations in this lesson are taken from the English Standard version (ESV) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 1).
1. "A bruised reed he will not break"
Jesus, our Savior, mends broken lives. Instead of "breaking" (or discarding) people who are weak morally, physically, or spiritually, Jesus strengthens them and binds them up (Ref. 2). Instead of dealing roughly with us when we come to him in our weakness, Jesus is tender and uses all gentleness and kindness toward us.
Example
Consider the account of the woman caught in adultery (the "bruised reed" in this example). The scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus seeking to stone her to death (John 8:1-11). Jesus made the woman's accusers realize their own sinful condition, and the scribes and Pharisees left the scene without casting a stone at the woman (John 8:5-9). Then, without condemning her or further "breaking" her, Jesus spoke with her tenderly as follows. "'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more'" (John 8:10-11).
Biblical Background
The prophet Isaiah, writing several hundred years before Christ, prophesied about the Servant who was to come (Isaiah 42:1-4). In Isaiah 42:1, God says "I have put my Spirit upon him." This prophecy was fulfilled at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). In Isaiah 42:3, the prophet says, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice."
Matthew, the disciple of Jesus and the gospel writer, witnessed Jesus and his ministry. In Matthew 12:17, Matthew observed that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4. In Matthew 12:18-21, Matthew quotes (and in places paraphrases) Isaiah 42:1-4. When Matthew stated in Matthew 12:17 that Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, Matthew had just witnessed Jesus healing and restoring the man with the withered right hand (Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11). That man also was an example of a "bruised reed" that Jesus restored. After Jesus healed him, the man, who likely was a mason or plasterer by trade, could return to working with his hands again for a living instead of begging bread (Ref. 3, Ref. 4). Matthew also had observed that multitudes of people -- including Gentiles (non-Jews) -- came to Jesus, and Jesus healed them all (Matthew 12:15, Mark 3:7-8). Jesus' ministry of healing and restoring "bruised reeds" then and today was and is for all people. That is good news. Biblical Meaning of "Bruised Reed" Reeds on the Side of the Jordan River Flowing into the Sea of Galilee - iStock Photo - Used under license
Reeds are leafy cane plants that grow in watery or marshy areas. (See the picture of reeds near the Jordan river) (Ref. 5). However, scripture refers to reeds as fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, easily broken, and unreliable when used as a staff (2 Kings 18:21, Matthew 11:7).
In Isaiah 42:3 the Hebrew word translated as "bruised" means broken or crushed but not entirely broken off (Ref. 6, Ref. 7). Thus, the words, "bruised reed," refer to a person who has been crushed or broken down by a sense of sin, by calamity, or by affliction (Ref. 7).
Good news
The good news is that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, does not break, consider useless, or discard people who are "bruised" emotionally, spiritually, or physically (Matthew 12:20). Instead, Jesus forgives our sins, tenderly binds up our wounds, and cares for us. Consider the multitudes of people who came to Jesus. The scripture says, "And many followed him, and he healed them all" (Matthew 12:15).
Similar verses
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) 2. "A faintly burning wick he will not quench"
When Jesus encounters people whose faith has dimmed or who have lost hope because of the hard knocks of life, Jesus does not ignore, discard, or "extinguish" us. Jesus nourishes the feeble flame, and rekindles our faith so his light in us shines brightly again.
Example
Consider the example of the man whose son had an unclean spirit which made his son mute, seized him, and threw him down in convulsions (Mark 9:14-29). The man is an example of a "smoldering wick" whose faith was dimming from the long-term afflictions of his son. The boy's father explained to Jesus that he had brought his son to Jesus' disciples, and they were not able to cast out the unclean spirit (Mark 9:18). That must have been terribly disappointing. Jesus asked that the boy be brought to him (Mark 9:19). When the boy was brought to Jesus, the unclean spirit -- seeing Jesus -- immediately threw the boy into convulsions (Mark 9:20).
The man's despair and weak faith is evident in the next verses. Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (Mark 9:21-22). "And Jesus said to him, 'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes'" (Mark 9:23). "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24). Note that the man cried out to Jesus in his despair and asked Jesus to help him believe. Jesus answered the man's plea. Jesus rekindled the faith of this man who was a "faintly burning wick." Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man's son, and the boy arose -- healed (Mark 9:25, 27). A smoldering wick (or smoking flax) Close-up of a smoldering wick - Alamy photo - Used under license
A smoldering or faintly burning wick of a lamp is just barely burning before the fuel runs out (Matthew 25:8). The King James Version in both Isaiah 42:3 (KJV) and Matthew 12:20 (KJV) refers to the faintly burning or smoldering wick as "smoking flax." In ancient lamps, the wick was a few strands of flax fiber or twisted cotton thread (Ref. 8).
The Good News
Jesus does not give up on us or chastise us when our faith becomes weak because of the calamities of life. Jesus cherishes the feeble flame, ministers to us the "oil" of grace, and through the Holy Spirit, rekindles our faith in him.
Example verses
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16).
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) 3. "He will faithfully bring forth justice"
Jesus, the Servant prophesied by Isaiah, brought forth [proclaimed], and through his followers today still proclaims the Gospel truth -- God's good news of salvation through faith in Christ -- to all people (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18, Ref. 9). In Isaiah 42:3, the justice [judgment] that the Servant would bring forth refers to the entire system of God's truth (Psalm 19:9-10 NASB, Psalm 119:160 NASB, Ref. 10, Ref. 11).
Note that Isaiah prophesied that the Servant would spread justice [God's system of truth] not just to the Jewish people, but to the "nations" [all races, all people] (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:17-18, Ref. 11, Ref. 12). Through Christ, the Christian gospel -- God's truth -- is being preached and taught by Jesus' followers throughout the world today (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16).
Apply. Are you a "bruised reed" (morally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually weak) needing the mending of Jesus? Come to Jesus now. In prayer, tell him your needs. Jesus will forgive your sins, and he will mend your broken life.
Are you a "faintly burning wick" with faith or hope that is nearly extinguished by affliction or by the calamities of life? Put your faith and trust in Jesus again. Jesus will supply the "oil" of his grace to rekindle your faith into a bright flame that will shine and bless others.
References
1. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/ 2. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/isaiah/42.htm Matthew Poole's Commentary - Isaiah 42:3 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_man_with_a_withered_hand 4. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/12.htm Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - Matthew 12:10 5. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7070.htm 6. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7533.htm 7. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/isaiah/42.htm Barnes' Notes on the Bible - Isaiah 42:3 8. https://www.gotquestions.org/smoking-flax-not-quench.html 9. https://biblehub.com/greek/518.htm Note, the Greek word for "proclaim" in Matthew 12:18 10. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4941.htm 11. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/matthew/12.htm Barnes' Notes on the Bible - Matthew 12:18 12. https://biblehub.com/greek/1484.htm |
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