Herbert W Armstrong - Wednesday crucifixion theory - Why it is unlikely to be correct

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Armstrong, his Worldwide Church of God, and the many offshoots that exist today insist on a Wednesday crucifixion. The view often imagines a kind of conspiracy by those who hold to a Friday crucifixion, as though the traditional understanding were not only mistaken but deliberately deceptive.

A Wednesday crucifixion is also held by some outside Armstrongism. It is not a commonly accepted view, but it is worth examining. Personally, I do not regard it as a matter of special importance; however, because the claim is made so forcefully - and because it accuses the Friday view of intentional error - it deserves careful comment.

Central to the Wednesday theory is the counting method derived from Matthew 12:40, where Jesus refers to Jonah being “three days and three nights in the whale’s belly.” Advocates insist this must mean a literal seventy‑two hours from crucifixion to resurrection. Matthew 12:40 is therefore the pivotal text for the Wednesday position, and in this study I will examine whether its counting method is supported by Scripture and by Jewish custom.

All other passages relating to the timing of the crucifixion will also be considered.

For further context, see my Quora post titled: Herbert W. Armstrong & his associated churches (United, Restored, Philadelphia, Living, and others) insist Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday. Is this sensible?


Hello. My name is Bill. I live in Canberra, Australia. I retired from work some 5 years ago, I believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour by whom we are justified and sanctified by the miraculous workings of God. I don't attend a particular church but may go from time to time. I like to study the scriptures and I read quite widely generally. I had an experience over four decades ago with a church founded by Armstrong which claimed to be the one true church of this time. My wife (who passed away five years ago) and I left it a long time ago and one is grateful such bonds were broken.

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