Conflict: John and the Synoptics re the day of Crucifixion

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Claim: Two different days are given for the crucifixion – John saying the day before Passover, the synoptic gospels saying the day of Passover.

Investigation results: The claim is false; each of the gospels stating that the crucifixion was conducted on the day before Passover.

Jhn 19:14-18a
14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” 16 Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away 17 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha 18 where they crucified Him ...

Luke 23:46,54
And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. .... 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

Mark 15:37
37,42 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

Matthew 27:35, 62
35 Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: 62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,

Conclusion: Each of the gospels declares that Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation.

Objection: John says it was the preparation day for the Passover, but the others say it was the preparation day for the Sabbath.

Response: The Passover is a Sabbath – and Luke explicitly states that the Sabbath in question is in fact the preparation day of the Passover.

Luke 22:7
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”

With commencement of  the day of preparation, Jesus sent Peter and John to make preparation for the passover meal, and he himself arrived during the evening.  The Hebrew reckoning of “evening” began at three p.m. and continued through to roughly seven p.m. (that is, evening covered the period from the last three hours of the day (the new day beginning at sunset) and continued through twilight until nightfall).  Thus, Jesus sent the disciples into the town at the start of the day of preparation for the Sabbath, and he arrived not too long after them.

Objection: According to Mark 14:12,17 , Jesus was killed on the day after the day of preparation.
Response: As can readily be seen (below), Mark and Luke are not materially different. Mark does not specify “with the commencement”of the day of unleavened bread, nor does he name the disciples who were sent. By contrast, Luke does not specify that Jesus arrived in the evening, though Mark does. However, interpreting Mark to be in conflict with Luke simply can’t be justified.

Mark 14:12-13,17
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?” And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. ... 17 In the evening He came with the twelve.

Luke 22:7-8
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” ...  14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.