On which day is the Resurrection celebrated?

• A. On the first day
• B. On the second day
• C. On the third day
• D. On the fourth day

Answer: (C)

The event is described as taking place on the third day after Jesus’ death. In the Gospel timeline, Jesus dies on Friday, lies in the tomb on the Sabbath (Saturday), and rises early on Sunday. Because ancient counting includes part of a day as a day, Friday afternoon counts as day one, Saturday as day two, and Sunday as day three. So the Resurrection is celebrated on the third day. This is why Easter Sunday is the principal feast of the Resurrection. It isn’t placed on the first or second day, which would not align with the sequence, and it isn’t on the fourth day.