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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Bible does not provide the exact day or even the exact year in which Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But a close examination of the chronological details of history narrows the possibilities to a ...
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Mike Dumais
Supporter
The most compelling case is for in September of 3 or 4BC, as we would reference it from the Gregorian calendar we use today. The Julian calendar was implemented in 45 BC by Julius Caesar, and replaced the Roman Calendar that required a committee to establish anything like a date. Average folks didn't use it, know about it or even reference calendars, they followed the cycles of the moon or in written documents referenced the "years in the reign" of their rulers. The Gregorian calendar we use today was implemented by Pope Gregory and had it's own problems with getting the "early years" correct. It is a few years off in dating the Birth of Christ as "year one". There is no year zero as there might be on a number line, so that puts it as 3 BC by our reckoning. BC stands for "Before Christ", AD stands for "Anno Domini" Latin for Day of Our LORD. The calendar wasn't adopted universally until the 19th century or last in Russia in 1918. BCE is the paganized version of BC, meaning "before common era". If this all seems strange to you, remember that here in the US we didn't keep a common time until the railroads theorized standardized time in 1860 and on November 18, 1873 implemented a plan for our clock settings beginning on the 75 meridian which established the time we use today. Jews, along with just about every other culture, based their lives, crop cycles, worship system, etc. On the lunar calendar. Nissan was the first month of the Year. That would be September on our calendar. God made the stars...for signs and times and seasons. (Gen 1:14-16). There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. (Num 24:17) He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. (Ps 147:4). There has been a lot written about the Gospel in the stars beginning with the Virgin Birth in Virgo and ending with the Lion of Judah. " The Feast of Trumpets began on the first day (at the new moon) of the seventh month. Its name comes from the command to blow trumpets (Lev 23:24; Numbers 29:1-6). It is also called Rosh Hashanah, which means “Head of the Year,” because it marks the beginning of the Jewish civil calendar. " The Feast of Trumpets, along with the other six festivals of the LORD, foreshadowed certain aspects of the ministry of Jesus Christ. " Genesis 35: Jacob came to Bethlehem, where Rachel bore Benjamin as she died. She called him Benoni (Son of my sorrow), but Jacob called him Benjamin (Son of my right hand). He is a double type of Christ. " Jacob traveled beyond the tower of the flock, the place where Benjamin was born. " Numbers 24:17-19: "A star out of Jacob, and a Scepter out of Israel" shall have dominion. "In ancient times this was a military tower to view into the valley near Bethlehem. Near the time of Jesus' birth it became the tower of the flock, where the priests examined newborn lambs, which were designated for sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. " Luke 2: The angel said, "This shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." Only in the shelter of this particular tower did the temple priests clean the lambs with swaddling clothes as they examined them for temple sacrifice! The shepherds knew exactly where to go! The manger where Jesus lain as a baby was actually a doctor recommended "best practice" at the time and still holds true today: face up, head slightly elevated, snuggled. The idea that Jesus was poor is probably not correct either. His adoptive father was a craftsman and small businessman, like contractors from every small town in America are today they do OK. There was no room in the usual spots in town because of New Years (which the tourist trade could handle) was combined with a census requirement imposed by the Romans and made the area overflow that year. Joseph and Mary traveled a little early in order to kill two birds with one stone and to make sure they weren't on the road at delivery time.
D W
Supporter
Someone discovered that there was an error in the calendar. The birth year of Jesus had to be adjusted. Although He was still born in year 1, the year 1 had to be adjusted. So number a piece of paper horizontally, like this.........
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
That's the adjusted day He was born (the second line). But today we still use the first line. So if someone today says Jesus went to the Cross in 33 a.d.,the adjusted calendar says no, 29 a.d. Aren't you glad we don't have to lose any sleep over it? (p.s. There was no year zero).
Kenneth Heck
Supporter
Another factor to consider in determining Christ's birth date is the date of his crucifixion. It appears from geological evidence that the earthquake mentioned occurring after Jesus' death was on April 3, 33 AD (http://www.icr.org/article/greatest-earthquakes-bible/). The darkness may have been caused by a dust storm. If Christ was about 32 when his ministry began, he would have been about 35 or 36 when it ended. This gives a birth date of around 3 BC. The Levitical priesthood began at age 30, but Christ was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi; his priesthood was of Melkizedek, so the age 30 requirement didn't apply to him.
STANLEY S. DRANE
Supporter
I'm glad you asked. In answer to you question, we don't know, but we do know he was born in Bethlehem, lying in a manger, and came into the world, to save his people from their sins.
John Appelt
Supporter
The year Jesus Christ was born can be determined by clues in the Scriptures and history. The first clue is that it was before Herod’s death, Matthew 2:1-16. A majority of scholars place his death at about 4 BC, which places the birth of Jesus at about 6 BC. But Herod did not die in 4 BC, as is supposed. In 4 BC Herod sent raiders to Arabia to suppress robbers hiding there and to collect a huge debt owed him by the ruler Syllaeus. The ruler misinformed Augustus of Herod’s actions and Augustus responded with the demotion of Herod from “Caesar’s Friend” to “subject.” Herod would live a few more years until 1 BC. His subsequent record would have been expunged allowing the sons, Antipas, Philip, and Archelaus to antedate their reigns to 4 BC, which they did. Herod reigned 37 years having been made king by Rome in 38 BC. Herod lived from 72 to 1 BC, dying when he was 70. Jesus was born before 1 BC. Herod had closely calculated the child was in the age group of two years and under. The second clue was the census by Augustus Caesar, Luke 2:1. Two upcoming anniversaries were going to be observed in 2 BC. One was the 750th anniversary of Rome. The other was the 25th year of Augustus Caesar’s reign from the time of the restoration of the Republic and when he was sole leader and given titles of “Augustus” and “Princeps” (the first head) in January, 27 BC. In anticipation of this momentous occasion and that it was time for the periodic 5-year census, Caesar, in 3 BC, authorized a census and loyalty oath be conducted in every province done between 3 and 2 BC. This registration was not likely for taxation. This census was recorded in such places as Paphlagonia and Armenia in 3 BC, the same that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, Luke 2:1. The third clue is Quirinius who governed Syria and conducted the census in the region for Rome, Luke 2:2-5. History records these governors of Syria: 6-4 BC - Publius Quintilius Varus c 3-2 BC -? 1 BC to AD 4, Gaius Julius Caesar Vipsanianus AD 4-5 - Lucius Volusius Saturninus AD 6-12 – Publius Sulpicius Quirinius It is not known who the governor from 3-2 BC was, but there is no reason to not place Quirinius there, because history records that Quirinius was twice governor. Acts 5:37 alludes to the enrollment in AD 6, which corresponds with Quirinius’ governorship. Luke would be correct in having Quirinius governor at the first census. This corroborates Jesus’ birth then. The fourth clue is Luke 3:1-2, 23. Jesus was about 30 years old in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. Tiberius was co-regent for two years with Augustus beginning in AD 12. The 15th year was in AD 27. Thirty years before then would be 3 BC. According to all of these details, the birth of Jesus was in 3 BC.
Jason Corning
Supporter
Traditionally speaking the last second before Jesus Christ was born was the end of the year 1 B.C. while every second after He was born was considered to be the beginning of the year 0 A.D..1 A.D. would have started upon His 1st birthday and every year after that until His death in the year 33 A.D.
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
I believe if you watch the video, "the star of Bethlehem" which you can see on you tube, you will be convinced that Jesus was born Sept. 3rd, 3 BC or 9 months later dependent upon if Sept 3rd was the conception date or the birth date. The later date would be in June 2 BC. This is possible because the date of Herod's death comes from the writings of Josephus. That date is listed in modern documents as 4 BC but according to older documents before 1500 ad or so, list that date as 1 BC. Which would make the birth of Jesus in 2 or 3 BC match up with scripture. The death of Jesus was in April, 33 AD. I encourage you to watch this video. It will make many scriptures come alive for you and even aid in your understanding of Revelations.
Alan Schuetz
Supporter
Christ was born on the Feast of Weeks (Heb. Shavu'ot/Gr. Pentékosté) in 6 CE during the first census of Quirinius. Shavu'ot roughly corresponds to the "evening" of June 3rd and the "morning" of June 4th on the Gregorian calendar. We can trace this given several key facts: Fact #1: Elizabeth (Heb. Elisheba) was six months pregnant in the sixth month; see Luke 1:26-38 concentrating on vv26 and 36. Fact #2: Zecharias (Heb. Tsekharya) was a Levite of the order/division of Abijah; see Luke 1:5-7 concentrating on v5. Fact #3: The mute and shaken Tsekharya returned home immediately after his weekly course was completed, and Elisheba conceived a son; see Luke 1:8-25. Fact #4: This is the calendar documented in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and it was employed by the “sect” called The Way during Christ’s incarnate life; see https://bit.ly/2msUI1B. Fact #5: For Elisheba to be six months pregnant in the sixth month, Tsekharya (of the division of Abijah) had to have served in the twelfth month. The only time this occurs is from the 14th-20th; see Cycle of Priestly Divisions from Calendrical Documents 4Q320 and 4Q321 > Division Year 3 of 6 in the Qumran calendar from Fact #4. Fact #6: As Tsekharya (and Elisheba) were righteous and walked in ALL requirements and commandments of the Lord (Luke 1:6), he could not have traveled more than a Sabbath day’s journey (2,000 cubits) on the 21st of the 12th month, which was a weekly Sabbath. Fact #7: The first day that Tsekharya could have returned home (likely Kiriath Arba — modern day Hebron — in the hill country of Judah) was the 22nd of the 12th month on the first day of the week. This was the day that John (Heb. Yochanan) was conceived. Fact #8: After Mary’s (Heb. Miryam) visitation with the archangel Gabriel (Heb. Gavri’el) in the sixth month (Luke 1:26), she left IN A HURRY to visit Elisheba (Luke 1:26-39). At the moment of arrival, Elisheba was overcome by the Holy Spirit and knew that Miryam had conceived a child (Luke 1:39-55). Fact #9: Exactly six months after Yochanan was conceived, Joshua (Heb. Yehoshu’a) was conceived. According to the Qumran calendar, that would have occurred on the 22nd of the sixth month on the first day of the week, which is the Feast of New Oil. The Feast of New Oil is the fourth of four agricultural feasts each occurring 49 days apart, exclusive (i.e., barley, wheat, wine, and olive oil). Olive oil is a component of anointing oil (Exodus 30:22-33). Also, the root of Christos is chrió meaning “to anoint with olive oil.” Fact #10: The gestation period for women is 38 weeks from CONCEPTION (not to be confused with last menstrual period or LMP) to birth. EXACTLY 38 weeks after Miryam conceived, Yehoshu’a was born on the Feast of Weeks (Heb. Shavu’ot) on the 15th day of the third month on the first day of the week. So, now we know the month, day, and day of the week of John’s conception and Christ’s conception and birth. Now, for the year… Fact #11: Yehoshu’a was born in 6 CE during the census of Quirinius; see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_of_Quirinius. For the Scriptural reference, see Luke 2:1-20 concentrating on v2. In summation when comparing the Lucan account with the Qumran calendar: * Yochanan was conceived on the 22nd day of the twelfth month on the first day of the week in 4 CE. * Yehoshu’a was conceived on the 22nd day of the sixth month on the first day of the week on the Feast of New Oil in 5 CE — exactly six months after Yochanan’s conception. * Yehoshu’a was born during the census of Quirinius on the 15th day of the third month on the first day of the week on the Feast of Weeks in 6 CE — exactly 38 weeks from His conception. Refer to https://bit.ly/2L7CgKK for additional details.
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
Jesus was probably born 6/5 B.C., during the end of Herod's rule which ended when he died in 4 B.C. Jesus was probably about 2 years old when Herod ordered all the male children to be killed according the date he established from the arrival of the wise men.... So he began his ministry when he was 30 years old, about 25/26 A.D. -6-5-4-3-2 -1+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18+19+20+21+22+23+24+25/26.
gary mcpherson
Supporter
Zechariah father of John the Baptist being the Hebrew temple priest by tradition went to the temple during the month of June to pray to God and was told by God that his wife Elizabeth was to have a child. Mary mother of Jesus went to visit her sister Elizabeth and while there, John the Baptist was born. (Probably in March). Mary being 3 months pregnant with Jesus. Therefore Jesus was probably born during the month of September.
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