Questions and Answers

How many nights was Jesus in the grave?

Orientals considered any part of a day as a whole day. Thus, one whole and two parts of a day, along with two nights, would be popularly styled as "three days and three nights."

Such usuage is seen elsewhere in Scripture.

Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave

Mark 16:1-3 - Very early on the first day of the week...asked each other, "Who will roll the stone?"

Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave

Matthew 12:40 - The Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth