Chronology of the Life of Jesus

1
Lesson 2

• Chronology of the Life of Jesus

2
Example of Differences With Regard to Biblical
Dates

• We commonly state that the church was established
  on Pentecost, 33 A.D.
• More accurately, the church was established on
  the first Pentecost following Christs
  resurrection (cf. Acts 2)
• According to Reese, the correct date would be
  Pentecost, 30 A.D.
• 33 A.D. derived from Dionysian calendar, Jesus
  exactly 30 when beginning his ministry, and a
  three year ministry.

3
Roman Imperial Chronology

• Augustus died in 14 A.D.
• Tiberius 14-37 A.D. (smothered to death)
• Caligula 37-41 A.D. (assassinated)
• Claudius 41-54 A.D. (poisoned)
• Nero 54-68 A.D. (suicide)
• Vespasian 68-79 A.D.
• Titus 79-81 A.D.
• Domitian 81-96 A.D.
• Nerva 96-98 A.D.
• Trajan 98-117 A.D.

As these emperors are mentioned in scripture, and
their reigns described, we are enlightened as to
the chronology of N.T. events
4
Dionysius was Wrong

• There are several theories (all unsubstantiated)
  as to why Dionysius arrived at the wrong date
  regarding the birth of Jesus.
• One theory is that he fudged the date to make the
  observance of Easter line up with the earlier
  Julian calendar.
• It can be substantiated that Herod the Great died
  in 4 B.C. Jesus was born during his reign, so
  must have been born that year or earlier.

5
Biblical Data Jesus Birth

• Augustus Emperor (Lk. 21) Quirinius in
  authority in Syria (Lk. 22) Herod the Great,
  King in Judah (Mt. 21)
• Summary
• Born before the death of Herod
• Born at the time of a census decreed by Augustus
  in Herods territory
• Census was ordered while Quirinius was exercising
  authority in Syria.
• These details can be correlated with Historical
  data

6
Augustus Census

• Augustus is known to have ordered several
  enrollments such as that mentioned in Luke 21.
• One of these was ordered in 8 B.C.
• History notes that it took a year from the time
  the census was ordered to the point where it was
  carried out in Gaul
• It is reasonable to assume it could take 2 years
  for it to be carried out in outlying provinces
  such as Judea, thus 6 B.C.

7
Herod the Great Death

• Jesus was born shortly before the death of Herod
  (Mt. 21-19)
• Several sources (Greek and Roman) fix Herods
  death at Passover, 4 B.C.
• Herod had all children below the age of two
  killed in Bethlehem (Mt. 216)
• Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that Jesus
  was born sometime between 6 and 4 B.C.
• The extent and end of the reigns of Herods three
  sons serve to further validate the date of 4 B.C.
  regarding his death.

8
Quirinius Ruling in Syria

• Josephus says that Quirinius began his reign as
  governor in Syria in 6 A.D.
• However, archaeological evidence has been
  uncovered that indicates that he reigned as
  Governor twice, the first from 4 B.C. to 1 B.C.
  Further, before reigning as governor (gk.
  legatus), he was the imperial commissioner (gk.
  quaestor) from 12 B.C. to 4 B.C.
• The gk. word translated governor in Lk. 22 (gk.
  hegemon) would have been used for either of these
  two offices.

9
The Day of Jesus Birth?

• There is a great uncertainty as to
  the day of Jesus birth. The New
  Testament gives no definite data on this point.
  The earliest reference ot this subject in early
  Christian literature is form Clement of
  Alexandria (about 190 A.D.). He states that some
  thought the date of Christs birth was April 21
  others thought April 22 and still others May
  20...
• The celebration of December 25 can be traced
  back as far as the 4th century A.D. It seems to
  have arisen in the West. The predominance of the
  Roman church led to its well-nigh universal
  acceptance. But the fact that shepherds were
  feeding their flocks at night when Jesus was born
  (Luke 28) makes it improbable that the season of
  the year was winter.
• New Testament Church Acts (Reese, pg. iv)

10
Biblical Data Jesus Baptism

• Jesus began his ministry at about 30 years of age
  (Geneology, Lk. 323)
• Approximately 28-32, combined with possible birth
  dates of 6 to 4 B.C., means that his ministry
  must have started between 22-28 A.D.
• Tiberius, emperor Pontius Pilate, governor of
  Judea Herod, tetrarch of Galilee Philip,
  tetrarch of Iturea Lysanias, Tetrarch of Abilene
  (Lk. 31).
• Annas Caiaphas, high priests (32)

11
Historical Data 22-28 A.D.

• Tiberius Caesar pronounced Imperator of the
  provinces in 11 A.D. (Though he co-reigned with
  Augustus until 14 A.D.) The 15th year of his
  reign would be 26 A.D.
• Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea from 26-36
  A.D.
• Reigns of Herod (4 B.C. 39 A.D) Philip (4
  B.C. 34 A.D.) Lysanias (4 B.C. 37 A.D.)
• Annas Caiaphas (7 A.D. 36 A.D.)

12
First Passover of Jesus Ministry (John 223)
27 A.D.

• At this Passover, the 46th year of building
  Herods temple is mentioned (John 220)
• Herod the Great began began the temple in the
  18th year after his accession to Jerusalem (37
  B.C.). Thus, the temple construction began in 19
  B.C.
• 46 years later puts this Passover at 27 A.D.
• The Temple was finished in 68 A.D., then
  destroyed during the destruction of Jerusalem by
  the Romans in 70 A.D.

13
The Date of the Baptism of Jesus

• Two dates (namely, the 15th year
  of Tiberius Caesar, and the year
  before Jesus first visit to the Temple during
  His ministry) have centered on the same year 26
  A.D. as being the year when Jesus was baptized.
  None of the other historical data is violated
  when this date is affirmed for the baptism of our
  Lord.
• New Testament Church Acts (Reese, pg. ix)

14
Second Passover of Jesus Ministry (John 51)
28 A.D.

• This is generally supposed, by the best critics,
  to have been the feast of the Passover, which was
  the most eminent feast among the Jews. In several
  excellent MSS. the article is added, h eorth, THE
  feast, the grand, the principal festival (Adam
  Clarke, on John 51)
• John 435, Jesus indicated that it was then four
  months to harvest. Harvests began after the
  Passover, so the time frame works for the
  Passover feast.

15
Biblical Data Jesus Death

• Crucifixion took place at 4th Passover in his
  ministry (John 131)
• Pilate was the governor of Judea, and Jesus was
  handed over to him by the Jews (Lk. 231)
• Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea
  (237)
• Annas and Caiaphas were High priests (John
  1812-14)

16
Historical Data 30 A.D.

• Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea from 26-36
  A.D. This date of Jesus crucifixion would fall
  within his rule.
• This date of Jesus crucifixion would fall within
  the time frame of the reign of Herod Antipas (4
  B.C. 39 A.D)
• This date of Jesus crucifixion would fall during
  the time when Annas Caiaphas served as high
  priests (7 A.D. 36 A.D.)
• Our examination of the four Passovers in relation
  to the beginning of Christs ministry would have
  this last Passover at 30 A.D.

17
The Date of Jesus Death

• Taking the date of 26 A.D. for His
  baptism, and allowing for a ministry of a little
  over three years, (encompassing 4 Passovers, SC),
  we have Jesus being crucified in the year 30 A.D.
  This date fits in with the historical and
  Biblical data without contradicting any element.
• New Testament Church Acts (Reese, pg. x)