{"id":44293,"date":"2021-04-11T22:50:55","date_gmt":"2021-04-11T19:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44293"},"modified":"2025-05-06T03:42:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T00:42:26","slug":"at-what-time-was-jesus-crucified-was-it-the-third-hour-9-a-m-as-stated-in-the-gospel-of-mark-or-the-sixth-hour-noon-as-mentioned-in-the-gospel-of-john","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/04\/11\/at-what-time-was-jesus-crucified-was-it-the-third-hour-9-a-m-as-stated-in-the-gospel-of-mark-or-the-sixth-hour-noon-as-mentioned-in-the-gospel-of-john\/","title":{"rendered":"At what time was Jesus crucified\u2014was it the third hour (9 a.m.) as stated in the Gospel of Mark, or the sixth hour (noon) as mentioned in the Gospel of John?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This <\/span>question <\/span>often <\/span>arises <\/span>due <\/span>to <\/span>an <\/span>apparent <\/span>time <\/span>discrepancy <\/span>between <\/span>Mark <\/span>and <\/span>John <\/span>regarding <\/span>the <\/span>crucifixion <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus. <\/span>Let <\/span>us <\/span>look <\/span>closely <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>relevant <\/span>passages:<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark <\/span>15:<\/span>24\u2013<\/span>25 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201c<\/span>And <\/span>they <\/span>crucified <\/span>him <\/span>and <\/span>divided <\/span>his <\/span>garments <\/span>among <\/span>them, <\/span>casting <\/span>lots <\/span>for <\/span>them, <\/span>to <\/span>decide <\/span>what <\/span>each <\/span>should <\/span>take. <\/span>And <\/span>it <\/span>was <\/span>the <\/span>third <\/span>hour <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>crucified <\/span>him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According <\/span>to <\/span>Mark, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>was <\/span>crucified <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>third <\/span>hour<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>which <\/span>corresponds <\/span>to <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong> using <\/span>the <\/span>Jewish <\/span>method <\/span>of <\/span>timekeeping<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>where <\/span>the <\/span>day <\/span>begins <\/span>at <\/span>sunrise (<\/span>approximately <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.).<\/span><\/p>\n

John <\/span>19:<\/span>14 (<\/span>ESV)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\u201c<\/span>Now <\/span>it <\/span>was <\/span>the <\/span>day <\/span>of <\/span>Preparation <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Passover. <\/span>It <\/span>was <\/span>about <\/span>the <\/span>sixth <\/span>hour. <\/span>He <\/span>said <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>Jews, \u2018<\/span>Behold <\/span>your <\/span>King!\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

John <\/span>seems <\/span>to <\/span>indicate <\/span>that <\/span>Jesus <\/span>was <\/span>still <\/span>on <\/span>trial <\/span>before <\/span>Pilate <\/span>at <\/span>about <\/span>the <\/span>sixth <\/span>hour<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>which <\/span>appears <\/span>to <\/span>contradict <\/span>Mark\u2019s <\/span>account. <\/span>However, <\/span>a <\/span>closer <\/span>analysis <\/span>shows <\/span>that <\/span>this <\/span>is <\/span>not <\/span>a <\/span>contradiction <\/span>but <\/span>a <\/span>matter <\/span>of <\/span>differing <\/span>timekeeping <\/span>systems<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Understanding <\/span>the <\/span>Timekeeping <\/span>Systems<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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    Jewish <\/span>Time (<\/span>used <\/span>by <\/span>Mark):<\/span><\/strong>
    The <\/span>day <\/span>begins <\/span>at <\/span>sunrise (<\/span>around <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.).<\/span><\/p>\n

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      1st <\/span>hour = <\/span>7:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      3rd <\/span>hour = <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      6th <\/span>hour = <\/span>12:<\/span>00 <\/span>noon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      9th <\/span>hour = <\/span>3:<\/span>00 <\/span>p.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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      Roman <\/span>Time (<\/span>likely <\/span>used <\/span>by <\/span>John):<\/span><\/strong>
      The <\/span>day <\/span>begins <\/span>at <\/span>midnight, <\/span>like <\/span>our <\/span>modern <\/span>system.<\/span><\/p>\n

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        6th <\/span>hour = <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        9th <\/span>hour = <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        12th <\/span>hour = <\/span>12:<\/span>00 <\/span>noon<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        John\u2019s <\/span>Gospel <\/span>was <\/span>likely <\/span>written <\/span>later <\/span>and <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>a <\/span>broader <\/span>Greco-<\/span>Roman <\/span>audience. <\/span>Therefore, <\/span>John <\/span>appears <\/span>to <\/span>use <\/span>Roman <\/span>time<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>placing <\/span>Jesus’ <\/span>appearance <\/span>before <\/span>Pilate <\/span>around <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>after <\/span>a <\/span>night <\/span>of <\/span>trials <\/span>and <\/span>interrogation.<\/span><\/p>\n

        This <\/span>timing <\/span>aligns <\/span>well <\/span>with <\/span>Mark’s <\/span>account:<\/span><\/p>\n

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          By <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong> (<\/span>the <\/span>third <\/span>hour), <\/span>as <\/span>Mark <\/span>states, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>was <\/span>already <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>cross.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Before <\/span>that, <\/span>Jesus <\/span>had <\/span>been <\/span>presented <\/span>before <\/span>Pilate <\/span>at <\/span>around <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>as <\/span>John <\/span>notes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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          Luke <\/span>23:<\/span>44\u2013<\/span>46 (<\/span>ESV) \u2013 <\/span>The <\/span>Death <\/span>of <\/span>Jesus<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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          \u201c<\/span>It <\/span>was <\/span>now <\/span>about <\/span>the <\/span>sixth <\/span>hour, <\/span>and <\/span>there <\/span>was <\/span>darkness <\/span>over <\/span>the <\/span>whole <\/span>land <\/span>until <\/span>the <\/span>ninth <\/span>hour, <\/span>while <\/span>the <\/span>sun’s <\/span>light <\/span>failed. <\/span>And <\/span>the <\/span>curtain <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>temple <\/span>was <\/span>torn <\/span>in <\/span>two. <\/span>Then <\/span>Jesus, <\/span>calling <\/span>out <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>loud <\/span>voice, <\/span>said, \u2018<\/span>Father, <\/span>into <\/span>your <\/span>hands <\/span>I <\/span>commit <\/span>my <\/span>spirit!\u2019 <\/span>And <\/span>having <\/span>said <\/span>this <\/span>he <\/span>breathed <\/span>his <\/span>last.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

          This <\/span>passage <\/span>from <\/span>Luke <\/span>confirms:<\/span><\/p>\n

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            From <\/span>noon (<\/span>sixth <\/span>hour)<\/span><\/strong> to <\/span>3:<\/span>00 <\/span>p.<\/span>m. (<\/span>ninth <\/span>hour)<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>darkness <\/span>covered <\/span>the <\/span>land.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Jesus <\/span>died <\/span>around <\/span>3:<\/span>00 <\/span>p.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>fulfilling <\/span>prophetic <\/span>symbolism (<\/span>see <\/span>Amos <\/span>8:<\/span>9\u2013<\/span>10, <\/span>Isaiah <\/span>53).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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            Conclusion: <\/span>No <\/span>Contradiction\u2014<\/span>Only <\/span>Different <\/span>Clocks<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

            When <\/span>we <\/span>recognize <\/span>the <\/span>use <\/span>of <\/span>different <\/span>timekeeping <\/span>systems:<\/span><\/p>\n

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              John’s <\/span>sixth <\/span>hour (<\/span>Roman <\/span>time) = <\/span>6:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong> \u2014 <\/span>Jesus <\/span>is <\/span>still <\/span>before <\/span>Pilate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Mark’s <\/span>third <\/span>hour (<\/span>Jewish <\/span>time) = <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong> \u2014 <\/span>Jesus <\/span>is <\/span>crucified.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The <\/span>Gospels <\/span>are <\/span>consistent <\/span>when <\/span>understood <\/span>in <\/span>their <\/span>historical <\/span>and <\/span>cultural <\/span>context. <\/span>Jesus <\/span>was <\/span>crucified <\/span>around <\/span>9:<\/span>00 <\/span>a.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>darkness <\/span>fell <\/span>at <\/span>noon<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>and <\/span>He <\/span>died <\/span>at <\/span>3:<\/span>00 <\/span>p.<\/span>m.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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              Theological <\/span>Significance<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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                Jesus’ <\/span>crucifixion <\/span>at <\/span>Passover<\/span><\/strong> fulfills <\/span>the <\/span>imagery <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>Passover <\/span>Lamb<\/span><\/strong> (<\/span>1 <\/span>Corinthians <\/span>5:<\/span>7, <\/span>Exodus <\/span>12).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                The <\/span>darkness <\/span>and <\/span>tearing <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>temple <\/span>veil <\/span>symbolize <\/span>judgment <\/span>and <\/span>access <\/span>to <\/span>God <\/span>through <\/span>Christ (<\/span>Hebrews <\/span>10:<\/span>19\u2013<\/span>20).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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                The <\/span>specific <\/span>timing <\/span>fulfills <\/span>God’s <\/span>sovereign <\/span>plan <\/span>and <\/span>aligns <\/span>with <\/span>Messianic <\/span>prophecy<\/span><\/strong>, <\/span>such <\/span>as <\/span>Psalm <\/span>22 <\/span>and <\/span>Isaiah <\/span>53.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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                Final <\/span>Challenge:<\/span><\/strong>
                \nHave <\/span>you <\/span>received <\/span>Jesus <\/span>as <\/span>Lord <\/span>and <\/span>Savior? <\/span>The <\/span>Bible <\/span>declares <\/span>that <\/span>He <\/span>is <\/span>coming <\/span>again (<\/span>Revelation <\/span>22:<\/span>12), <\/span>and <\/span>He <\/span>will <\/span>return <\/span>for <\/span>a <\/span>people <\/span>who <\/span>are <\/span>born <\/span>again <\/span>and <\/span>walking <\/span>in <\/span>holiness (<\/span>John <\/span>3:<\/span>3, <\/span>Hebrews <\/span>12:<\/span>14). <\/span>Salvation <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>free <\/span>gift (<\/span>Ephesians <\/span>2:<\/span>8\u2013<\/span>9), <\/span>but <\/span>it <\/span>must <\/span>be <\/span>received <\/span>by <\/span>faith <\/span>and <\/span>repentance.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Will <\/span>you <\/span>be <\/span>among <\/span>the <\/span>few <\/span>who <\/span>will <\/span>meet <\/span>Him <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>clouds (<\/span>1 <\/span>Thessalonians <\/span>4:<\/span>16\u2013<\/span>17)?<\/span><\/strong> The <\/span>choice <\/span>is <\/span>yours\u2014<\/span>eternal <\/span>life <\/span>or <\/span>eternal <\/span>separation. <\/span>Today <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>day <\/span>of <\/span>salvation (<\/span>2 <\/span>Corinthians <\/span>6:<\/span>2).<\/span><\/p>\n

                Maranatha \u2014 <\/span>the <\/span>Lord <\/span>is <\/span>coming!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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