In the biblical context, particularly within the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the "sixth hour" primarily refers to 12:00 PM, or noon, in modern time. However, depending on whether the day or night cycle is being referenced, it could also indicate midnight. This understanding is rooted in the ancient Jewish system of timekeeping, which differs from our modern 24-hour clock.
Understanding Ancient Jewish Timekeeping
The ancient Jewish day began at sunset (around 6:00 PM in modern time) and concluded at the following sunset. Each full day was divided into two main periods, each consisting of 12 hours:
- Nighttime Hours: Counted from sunset to sunrise.
- Daytime Hours: Counted from sunrise to sunset.
This means that the length of an "hour" could vary slightly with the seasons, as the duration of daylight and nighttime changes. However, for practical purposes, each period was divided into 12 segments.
Translating Biblical Hours to Modern Time
To understand what the "sixth hour" means, it's essential to align the Jewish time system with our contemporary clock. The daytime hours were counted starting from sunrise, which was generally considered the "first hour" of the day (around 6:00 AM).
Here's a general conversion for the daytime hours:
| Jewish Hour (Daytime) | Modern Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1st Hour | 7:00 AM |
| 2nd Hour | 8:00 AM |
| 3rd Hour | 9:00 AM |
| 4th Hour | 10:00 AM |
| 5th Hour | 11:00 AM |
| 6th Hour | 12:00 PM (Noon) |
| 7th Hour | 1:00 PM |
| 8th Hour | 2:00 PM |
| 9th Hour | 3:00 PM |
| 10th Hour | 4:00 PM |
| 11th Hour | 5:00 PM |
| 12th Hour | 6:00 PM (Sunset) |
The Sixth Hour Explained
Based on this system, specifically as observed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke:
- The sixth hour of the day corresponds directly to 12:00 PM (noon). This is because it marks the midpoint of the daylight period, six hours after sunrise.
- Conversely, if the context referred to the sixth hour of the night, it would align with 12:00 AM (midnight). This would be six hours after sunset, marking the midpoint of the nighttime period.
While "the sixth hour" in common biblical narratives (especially relating to events during the day) typically refers to noon, the dual possibility of midnight exists depending on the specific scriptural context.
Why This Interpretation Matters
Understanding this ancient timekeeping system is crucial for accurately interpreting events and narratives found in the Gospels. For instance, knowing that the "sixth hour" is noon helps clarify the timeline of significant events described, such as the darkness that fell over the land during the crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44), which is stated to have occurred from the sixth hour until the ninth hour.
