‘What happened at Easter?’: Joey Johns Easter debate beggars belief

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have left Nine commentator Mat Thompson absolutely flabbergasted by their lack of knowledge about Easter.

Rugby league legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler have exposed their shocking lack of knowledge about Easter in a hilarious conversation on one of their weekly shows.

Ahead of the Easter long weekend of footy, the pair opened the latest episode of the Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth with the bizarre topic.

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Scarcely after being introduced by host Mat Thompson, Johns jumped in, asking: “I’m just thinking, what is the biblical thing at Easter?”

Fittler interjected: “You don’t eat meat on Sunday. No, you don’t eat meat on Friday.”

Johns continued: “What happened? What happened in biblical times?”

As any schoolchild would be able to tell you, Good Friday is the day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.

Some sources suggest it’s called Good Friday because of the medieval meaning of the word “good” meaning “holy”.

Jesus then rose from the dead on the third day, which Christians celebrate on Easter Sunday.

Fittler replied to Johns’ query: “Jesus — he died and then he came back Monday.”

“So on Thursday or Friday (he dies) then he comes back …” Johns began.

Thompson added: “He was on the cross and …” before Fittler finished, “Monday he come back.”

Thompson, who appeared baffled by the discussion, clarified: “No, Easter Sunday he came back.”

Johns then asked: “So what happened on Monday?”

Thompson, who was getting a little out of his theological depth added: “You’d have to talk to the Reverend Bill Crews but I think that’s generally the story.

“Biblical scriptures here on Freddy and the Eighth.”

It was the blind leading the blind in this discussion. Photo: YouTube

While Fittler was right that many Christians don’t eat meat on Good Friday as a way to honour Jesus’ sacrifice, it’s a tradition for most denominations.

While Catholics must abstain for eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent, religion and history expert Professor Constant Mews at Monash University told news.com.au in 2018: “Not eating meat on Good Friday was standard Catholic tradition in the middle ages, but it continued under Queen Elizabeth and in Anglican tradition, in part because of the continued influence of the fish industry.”

But the 49-year-old Johns and 52-year-old Fittler weren’t done, bringing the topic back around.

When Thompson brought up the Good Friday clash between the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, Johns was still baffled by what he could and couldn’t eat on Good Friday.

“Getting back to Good Friday, when can’t we have meat?” Johns asked.

“Friday,” Fittler added.

“I’m Catholic,” Johns replied.

Thompson was lost for words.

“Mate … he doesn’t even know … this is not the first Easter you’ve had,” Thompson finally spat out. “Haven’t you worked this out yet?

“It’s like every week we’re at the footy, he goes ‘what time are we on air?’ It’s been 7.30pm for the last 25 years.”

Joey was just asking questions. Photo: YouTube

Fittler stated: “Friday, no meat on Friday.”

Thompson: “Are you a seafood lover Joey?”

“Yeah,” Johns said.

“You can have fish,” Fittler interjected.

“It gets trying for me because I don’t like seafood,” Thompson said.

“Have you ever eaten meat (on Good Friday)?” Johns asked.

“Out of accident more than anything,” Fittler said. “Like it’s not hard. I think for accident I have but when I’m conscious I don’t.”

“Some people love Good Friday because they’re just seafood fiends,” Thompson said.