When Was The Hour of Crucifixion?
Problem: Some assert there is a discrepancy between the Gospel writers on the hour in which Jesus was crucified. Mark states in Mark 15:25 that it was the third hour while in John 19:14,15, it was the sixth hour.
Solution: One proposal to this supposed discrepancy is to note that ancients had a different concept of time than we do today. The general attitude toward time was divided into four periods: (1) 6 A.M. - 9 A.M., (2) 9 A.M. - 12 P.M., (3) 12 P.M. - 3 P.M., and (4) 3 P.M. - 6 P.M.
It is interesting to look at all these Scriptures that mention the concept of time in the New Testament: Matthew 20:3,5,9; 27:43,46; Mark 15:25,33,34; Luke 23:44; John 1:39; 4:6, 52; 14:14; Acts 2:15; 3:1; 10:3,9,30; 23:23.
Only Matthew 20:9, John 1:39, and John 4:52 have other times besides the 3,6 and 9. It seems to be the case that the ancients rounded off to these hours.
So, there is no discrepancy when we look closely at the hour of the crucifixion where Mark rounds off to the end of the third hour, which would have been at the end of the 9-12 P.M. John rounds off to the beginning of the sixth hour, which would have been around the 12 P.M. - 3 P.M.
Mark John
9 A.M. – 12 P.M., 12 P.M. - 3 P.M.
End of the third hour | Beginning of the sixth hour
Hour of Crucifixion
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