The exact dates of Jesus’ birth and death are unknown. However, most scholars agree that Jesus was alive during the first century AD and died around 30-33 AD in Jerusalem.
When was Jesus born?
The Bible does not mention the exact date of Jesus’ birth. However, based on biblical accounts and other historical sources, most scholars believe Jesus was born between 6-4 BC. Here are some key points regarding Jesus’ birth:
- Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod the Great who ruled Judea from 37-4 BC. Jesus was born before Herod died in 4 BC (Matthew 2:1).
- Jesus was born when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Quirinius became governor in 6 AD. However, he had an earlier role in Syria previously (Luke 2:2).
- Jesus was conceived six months after John the Baptist’s conception. John’s father, Zechariah, was a priest in the division of Abijah which served in the temple in late June or early July. Adding six months brings us to late December or early January for Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:5-25).
Based on these biblical clues and other historical facts, most scholars conclude Jesus was likely born between 6-4 BC.
When did Jesus begin his ministry?
Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30. His ministry lasted approximately 3-3.5 years before his death and resurrection. Here are some indicators of when Jesus’ ministry began:
- Jesus was “about thirty years old” when he began his ministry according to Luke 3:23.
- John the Baptist began his ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign. This corresponds to around 28-29 AD (Luke 3:1-3). Jesus began his ministry shortly after John the Baptist.
- Jesus attended at least three Passovers during his ministry according to the Gospel of John. His public ministry likely lasted about 3 years spanning from approximately 28-30 AD.
Based on these details, most scholars conclude that Jesus began his ministry around 28-30 AD at approximately 30 years old.
When did Jesus die and resurrect?
Jesus was crucified under the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate who ruled Judea 26-36 AD. Based on biblical and historical accounts, Jesus death and resurrection likely occurred between 30-33 AD.
Here is an overview of key details supporting these dates:
| Detail | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Jesus died under prefect Pilate | Pontius Pilate ruled Judea 26-36 AD which dates Jesus’ death within this window. |
| Jesus died after 3 Passovers | The Gospel of John records 3 Passover feasts during Jesus’ ministry, implying at least 2-3 years of ministry before his death. |
| Darkness & earthquake | Some historical accounts record a strange darkness and earthquake in Judea around 33 AD which aligns with biblical details of Jesus’ crucifixion. |
| Daniel’s prophecy | Some scholars interpret Daniel’s “70 weeks” prophecy to predict the Messiah’s death around 33 AD (Daniel 9:24-27). |
Taking these details into account, most scholars conclude that 30-33 AD is the likely range for the date of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Conclusion
In summary, while the exact year is uncertain, there is compelling biblical and historical evidence that Jesus was born around 6-4 BC, began his ministry around 28-30 AD at approximately 30 years old, and was crucified and resurrected between 30-33 AD.
The ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus stand at the very heart of Christianity and have reverberated through history to the present day. Knowing the approximate timeline helps place Jesus and the origins of Christianity within the broader context of ancient history.
References
- Habermas, Gary. “When Did Jesus Die?” In Defense of Miracles: A Comprehensive Case for God’s Action in History. InterVarsity Press, 2021.
- Humphreys, Colin, and W. Graeme Waddington. “The Date of the Crucifixion.” Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, vol. 37, March 1985, pp. 2-10.
- Maier, Paul. “Sejanus, Pilate, and the Date of the Crucifixion.” Church History, vol. 37, no. 1, 1968, pp. 3-13.
- Pratt, J. P. “Yet Another Eclipse for Herod.” Planetarian, vol. 19, no. 4, 1990, pp. 8-14.