Good Friday Coincidence
Clint Mooney, Calgary
Volume 38 Issue 1, 2, & 3 | Posted: April 2, 2023
The late John P. Meier (d. Oct. 18, 2022) was a very great Catholic New Testament scholar, author of the multi-volume work, “A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus”.
In his discussion of Jesus’ death, he notes that, if one accepts the date sequence from the Gospel of John (different from the Synoptics), then Jesus dies on the day of preparation for Passover. For John, Jesus is the paschal lamb that takes away the sin of the world. For John’s Gospel, the next day is Passover; it is also the Sabbath.
Meier notes that during Pilate’s time in Jerusalem, C.E. 26 to 36, Passover only happened on a Sabbath twice, namely in C.E. 30 and 35. He suggests that the latter of these dates is probably too late in Pilate’s proconsulship to be considered.
Therefore, he concludes that, if John is followed, Jesus would have died in C.E. 30 and in that year, the Friday before Passover / Sabbath (Good Friday in Christian parlance) fell on April 7. (See Meier, MJ, vol. 1, p. 407.)
Good Friday this year, 2023, is on April 7. Does that give a special solemnity to the occasion?
Clint Mooney, Calgary
Clint Mooney, Calgary