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Scott P. Richert

Why Is Good Friday Called Good?

By , About.com GuideJanuary 25, 2013

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Ash Wednesday is still a little less than three weeks away, and Good Friday is exactly nine, but readers are already asking a question that arises every Lent: Why is Good Friday called good?Photo of the Cross in the Woods in Indian River, Michigan, the world's largest crucifix, © Scott P. Richert It seems a bit odd to call the day on which the Savior of mankind was crucified a "good" day. So how did this name arise?

You might be surprised to find out that we don't actually know the historical origins of why Good Friday is called good. But there is a theological explanation that serves us just as well. Intrigued? You can find out more about the various historical theories for why Good Friday is called good, and learn the theological explanation for the name, in Why Is Good Friday Good?

(Photo of the Cross in the Woods in Indian River, Michigan, the world's largest crucifix, © Scott P. Richert)

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Comments
February 5, 2012 at 3:21 pm
(1) Karen says:

The way I learned it was that Good Friday is an elision and that it was once called God’s Friday. Over the centuries, it became Good Friday.

Karen

March 29, 2013 at 3:49 am
(2) Robin says:

Karen do you really think that could be the reason?

March 29, 2013 at 6:29 am
(3) Jerry says:

There are still so many reasons why we call good friday good,.
the main and leading hemth why we call so is because we belive Savior of mankind was crucified to save us from all the sins we have made and to please our Father Loard.
so for all human kind he did a good thing to save us all though.

i dont think its a valid reason, but still i belive so.

March 30, 2013 at 2:00 am
(4) Geof says:

So, the article “Why Is Good Friday Good?” doesn’t actually answer the question? It just says “We don’t know, go look somewhere else”.

How disappointing.

April 1, 2013 at 2:32 pm
(5) This is God! says:

“You might be surprised to find out that we don’t actually know the historical origins of why Good Friday is called good.” This is just to convenient so in other word we don’t know much that is just sad!

May 22, 2013 at 6:58 pm
(6) Stephen says:

It’s Called good friday because he died for all the sins of humans to be forgivin, our ignorance will only last until we are dead. Forgive them father for they know not what they do.

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