Matthew 27:63

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

For a summary of Pharisaical criticism of Christ, see under Matthew 11:19. The statement of the Pharisees quoting Jesus as promising to rise again "after three days" is viewed by some as evidence for a 72-hour period in the grave. On this complicated question, the near-unanimous opinion of scholars holds the traditional Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection to be correct and views the traditional days of those events as harmonizing with the word of God. A. T. Robertson is very firm in that position, as indeed are most of the others; and yet it is absolutely certain that a strong case can be made out for the longer period. This expositor finds no fault with either view, inasmuch as the whole question is irrelevant anyway, provided only that whatever view is held, it should be grounded upon a faithful acceptance of all that the sacred Scriptures have revealed (see under Matthew 12:40).