There is
no scripture that says Jesus had to be a full literal 72 hours in the grave that interpretation is reading into the scriptures what the scriptures do not say. That is also not how Hebrew reckoning of a day works. There are many scripture examples of "
part days" being referred to as "
a day".
In
Matthew 12:40 for example “three days and nights” is considered to be Hebrew figure of speech referring to any part of three days and nights. This is quite a common practice used within the scriptures.
For example in
Esther 4:16;
Esther 5:1 “three days and three nights” does not mean 72 hours. For, although they fasted three days and nights (4:16) between the time they started and the time she appeared before the king, the passage states that Esther appeared before the king “on the third day” (5:1). If they began on Friday, then the third day would be Sunday. Hence, “three days and nights” must mean any part of three days and nights.
Also you may want to consider Jesus used the phrase “
on the third day” to describe the time of His resurrection after His crucifixion (
Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 26:61; 1 Corinthians 15:4). But, “
on the third day” cannot mean “after three days” which 72 hours demands. On the other hand, the phrase “
on the third day” or “
three days and nights” can be understood to mean within three days and nights. If you follow the timings through Jesus perfectly fulfilled the prophecy as he died on Nissan 14, rested in the grave on Nissan 15 (Sabbath) and rose sometime on Nissan 16 (first day of the week).
Blessings
