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Lesson 2

Lesson 2. Chronology of the Life of Jesus. 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 Christ’s resurrection (cf. Acts 2)

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Lesson 2

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  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 Christ’s 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. 2:1); Quirinius in authority in Syria (Lk. 2:2); Herod the Great, King in Judah (Mt. 2:1) • Summary: • Born before the death of Herod • Born at the time of a census decreed by Augustus in Herod’s 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 2:1. • 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. 2:1-19) • Several sources (Greek and Roman) fix Herod’s death at Passover, 4 B.C. • Herod had all children below the age of two killed in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:16) • 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 Herod’s 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. 2:2 (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 Christ’s 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 shepherd’s were feeding their flocks at night when Jesus was born (Luke 2:8) 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. 3:23) • 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. 3:1). • Annas & Caiaphas, high priests (3:2)

  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 2:23) – 27 A.D. • At this Passover, the 46th year of building Herod’s temple is mentioned (John 2:20) • 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 5:1) – 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 5:1) • John 4:35, 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 13:1) • Pilate was the governor of Judea, and Jesus was handed over to him by the Jews (Lk. 23:1) • Herod Antipas was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (23:7) • Annas and Caiaphas were High priests (John 18:12-14)

  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 Christ’s 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)

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