Nigerian social media commentator Daniel Regha has stirred conversation among Christians with a thought-provoking question about the timeline of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Posting on X, on Friday, Regha raised concerns over what he described as a discrepancy between the traditional Good Friday–Easter Sunday observance and the biblical account of “three days and three nights.”
“I have a question for we Christians. Sincerely asking,” he wrote. “24 hours make a day, and 72 make up three days; since this is common knowledge, how come Good Friday to Easter Sunday is just two days and a few hours?”
Citing Matthew 12:40, Regha noted that Jesus had said He would be in the tomb for “three days and three nights.” He also referenced Leviticus 23:32 to support the argument that, in ancient Hebrew tradition, a full day was counted as 24 hours—from sunset to sunset.
He questioned whether Jesus rose “on the third day” or “after three days” and whether the crucifixion may have occurred on Thursday rather than Friday. He further asked if the Church’s long-held calculation of the Easter timeline could be inaccurate.
Regha clarified that his inquiry was “for the purpose of learning,” but the post has since generated widespread reactions, with many users offering theological explanations and differing interpretations of biblical texts.
What We Know
Christian scholars often explain the timeline using the concept of inclusive counting, a Jewish cultural practice in which any part of a day is considered a full day. Under this interpretation, Friday (day one), Saturday (day two), and Sunday (day three) fulfill the “third day” prophecy, even if the total time is less than 72 hours.
Others, however, continue to debate alternative timelines, including the possibility of a Thursday crucifixion, reflecting longstanding discussions within biblical scholarship.
The post highlights how social media continues to serve as a platform for religious dialogue, especially during significant periods such as the Easter season, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
