Jewish Day (1st Century) explained

What does the first watch mean? What is the “third hour”? The Jewish day ran from sunset to sunset and was divided in 8 equal parts called watches and hours. Here’s what they mean.

The Watches

• First watch – sunset to 9pm
• Second watch – 9pm to midnight; Luke 12:38.
• Third watch – Midnight to 3am; Luke 12:38.
• Fourth watch – 3am to sunrise; Matt 14:25; Mark 6:48.

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The 1st Century Jewish Day

Jewish Time	Roman Time	Event	Mentioned in Scripture
1st hour	dawn to 8:00 am	The first male lamb of the Tamid sacrifice was tied to the altar at dawn.
2nd hour	8:00 to 9:00 am
3rd hour	9:00 to 10:00 am	Morning prayer service; The incense is offered in the Sanctuary. The first male lamb is sacrificed as the temple gates open. Jesus went to the cross at the 3rd hour.	Matt 20:3; Mark 15:25; Act 2:15; Act 23:23.
4th hour	10:00 to 11:00 am
5th hour	11:00 am to Noon
6th hour	Noon to 1:00 pm	The second lamb is tied to the altar at noon	Matt 20:5; Matt 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44; John 4:6; John 19:14; Act 10:9
7th hour	1:00 to 2:00 pm		John 4:52
8th hour	2:00 to 3:00 pm
9th hour	3:00 to 400 pm	The second Tamid lamb is sacrificed. The second hour of prayer, also called the hour of confession. Jesus gave up his life at the 9th hour.	Matt 20:5; Matt 27:45-46; Mark 15:33-34; Luke 23:44; Act 3:1; Act 10:3; Act 10:30.
10th hour	4:00 to 5:00 pm
11th hour	5:00 to 6:00 pm	The afternoon service concludes with the burning of the incense and priestly benediction.	John 1:39
12th hour	6:00 pm to sunset		Matt 20:9

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Days

The Jewish day begins at sunset. With the exception of the Sabbath, the weekdays had no names, only numbers.

• 1st day – sunset Saturday to sunset Sunday
• 2nd day – sunset Sunday to sunset Monday
• 3rd day – sunset Monday to sunset Tuesday
• 4th day – sunset Tuesday to sunset Wednesday
• 5th day – sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday
• 6th day – sunset Thursday to sunset Friday
• 7th day – Sabbath; sunset Friday to sunset Saturday

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Photo by Ann Savchenko on Unsplash