What Does High Sabbath Mean?
The term "high Sabbath" causes debate because it relies on interpretations from two religions. The major concept and concern arises from its use in the New Testament's Gospel of John 19:31. In most translations, the verse states that the Sabbath occurred on a "high" day, according to BibleGateway.
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Significance
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One theological question raised in the meaning of "high Sabbath" relates to the timing of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as recorded in John. The Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and ends sunset on Saturday. If Jesus' crucifixion occurred Friday, before the weekly Sabbath, he rose in less than three full days and nights, which creates conflicts with other biblical texts, according to religious writer D. Thomas Lancaster.
Jewish Sabbaths
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The Jewish Bible does not contain the term "high Sabbath." According to Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg, columnist for The Schechter Institutes and author, in Judaism, the "Great Sabbath" refers to the Sabbath before Passover and other Jewish holidays, Shavuot and Sukkot. Leviticus 23 lists seven festivals as Sabbaths.
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New Testament
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According to author Jeanie C. Crain, a Missouri Western professor, a high Sabbath applies to feasts falling on the weekly Sabbath. A high Sabbath might also refer to the beginning of Passover, according to Religious Tolerance.org, regardless of the day it began.
Meaning
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The Jewish Torah does not contain the term "high Sabbath" and the New Testament lacks clear explanation. Religious Tolerance.org and author D. Thomas Lancaster suggest "high Sabbath" applied to a Passover beginning midweek. Their explanation would allow for the crucifixion to occur at midweek, followed by three days of entombment and resurrection on Sunday.
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