The Two Evenings by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 26, 1871

The Two Evenings.

By C. H. Bliss

THAT the Bible recognizes two evenings is clearly shown from two or three passages. In the margin of Ex. 12:6 we read the following language, “Between the two evenings.” The passover was to be slain during this time. How could this be if the Bible recognized only one evening, as some affirm.

But the most striking example is found in Matt. 14:15–23. In verse 15 we read: “And when it was evening his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place. Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals,” &c. We then learn that Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes which they had with them, and divided them among the people, and they all ate and were filled. He then sent the multitude away, and in verse 23 we read: “And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray. And when the evening was come [of the same day] he was there alone.” Here, two evenings are plainly recognized, and it is also plain that one began much later than the other; hence, we conclude that this last evening must have been the true evening, which ever began at sunset and marked the

beginning of the next day. See Gen. 1; Lev. 23:32; 22:6, 7; Josh. 8:29; Mark 1:32.

In regard to the first evening the Bible does not tell us just when it began; but according to history it commenced about three o'clock. See Bible Dict. Art. Evening. C. H. BLISS.