I have been studying the feasts of Israel, and in particular, the Passover. As you teach, I agree that the crucifixion was not on Friday. It would also seem clear to me that it took place simultaneously with the slaughter of the Passover Lamb in the temple on 14th Nisan. There is no mention of a Passover lamb being eaten at the last supper! Just bread and wine; perhaps they had a seder meal with all the accompaniments (bitter herbs etc), but no meat! -- Jack Ingle (Johannesburg)
Actually, I do believe Jesus died on the Friday, and am pretty sure I have addressed this briefly at the website. There are, however, a minority of scholars who opt for a Thursday crucifixion, which in itself should tell us not to be too dogmatic about this one. But I think the evidence points to Friday, the traditional day of the crucifixion.
As for three days in the tomb, in ancient times reckoning was nearly always inclusive, and even Friday pm-Sunday am could be described as "three days and three nights" -- even though you and I would never put it that way. But then we aren't ancient Jews, Romans, or Greeks!
I think your observation that no Passover lamb (or goat -- see Exodus 12) is very interesting. But, as they say, "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Since Jesus himself is the lamb of the world (John 1:29), perhaps the evangelist felt it unnecessary or superfluous to mention the other lamb. That makes sense to me. Anyway, most scholars interpret the last supper as a Passover Meal, and I agree with them. (Not that we should always go with the majority -- but in this case I think we should.)
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