The Crucifixion Conundrum

While talking with a friend of mine about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, he mentioned this article.

I have had a question about the time line of Jesus in the tomb for a while. The article pretty well sums up the question I had.

That got me to thinking. If this man, considered one of the Bible scholars of today, does not understand that the period between ‘good Friday’ and ‘resurrection Sunday’ does not equal three days and three nights (72 hrs) – then how many others are missing what Jesus himself called “the ONLY sign” that He would give that He was who He said he was?
Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
This was the ONLY sign ...
Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

So, how does Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday add up to make three days and three nights (72 hrs)? Well it doesn't.

It is an interesting problem. There are several interpretations, and I am not sure how he came up with the date for the crucifixion. But I think this article has some good points, and certainly provides a viable answer that is in line with Scripture.

I hope you find it interesting, and I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter, remembering that Christ died, in fulfillment of the law, so that we wouldn't have to. But don't forget, He also rose, conquering death, so that we can all have eternal life with Him!