Determining the Year of Christ's Birth

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Many people have tried to pin down exactly when the birth of Jesus occurred. I propose that 6 BC is the actual year and would like to focus on a few of the major details in the Gospel narratives that point to this general time. In presenting the various topics, only a summary of the evidences are discussed. Much more detail is given in the sources that are listed and in fact, entire books have been written about these topics themselves.

King Herod​

Nowhere in Scripture is the exact numerical year or even the exact date given for the birth. It is surprising that even though the change in eras from BC to AD is based on the birth of Jesus Christ, there is still so much uncertainty about the chronology of the period. The year numbering for BC/AD of the Julian/Gregorian calendar was determined by a monk named Dionysius around 525 AD. Originally the years were numbered beginning with the founding of Rome or the first year of Emperor Diocletian. Dionysius did not want the years to rely on a pagan ruler but wanted to memorialize the “Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Since that time, however, scholars have realized he had determined the wrong date but they have not found any obvious reason for his error.1

In Matthew's gospel, King Herod plays an integral role in the narrative of the birth. Scholars have alternatively placed Herod's death in either 4 BC or 1 BC. The birth of Jesus is considered at least two years prior since Herod desired the death of all the male children in Bethlehem younger than two years old (Matthew 2:13). As a result, dates proposed for the Nativity are in 6 BC or 3 BC and some propose various years within this range.

Although the Bible does not contain any details which can be used to date the reign of Herod, the writings of the historian Josephus do. These various details, like puzzle pieces, can be used to reconstruct the dates for the start and end of his reign.

Herod was installed as ruler by order of Octavian, the Roman emperor. His subsequent mission was to attack and capture Jerusalem and depose Antigonus, the current ruler. Josephus records the siege of the city as taking place during summer and describes how the residents “persisted in this war to the very last; and this they did while a mighty army lay round about them, and while they were distressed by famine and the want of necessaries, for this happened to be a Sabbatic year.”2 Since, by definition, Sabbatic years occurred every seven years, it would seem to be a simple thing to determine which year this was. However, no official temple records have been found which might state when these years occurred.3 Josephus includes several other historical markers:

“This destruction befell the city of Jerusalem when Marcus Agrippa and Caninius Gallus were consuls of Rome on the hundred eighty and fifth olympiad, on the third month, on the solemnity of the fast.”4

Investigating the details in the reverse order, the mentioned Jewish fast is probably the Day of Atonement, a fast that always occurs on the tenth day of Tishri. This fast is known as the most solemn day: “It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you” (Deuteronomy 16:31). Josephus states this was in the third month as related to the start of the Olympiad. The Olympiad started on the day of the first full moon after the summer solstice which confirms that the third month contained the Day of Atonement in the calendar. This was in the 185th Olympiad; each a group of four years. The first Olympiad occurred in 776 BC with the 185th range of years between 40 and 37 BC. Agrippa and Gallus were made consuls of Rome in 37 BC.

Josephus continues and describes the death of Herod:

“Now it happened, that during the time of the high priesthood of this Matthias, there was another person made high priest for a single day, that very day which the Jews observed as a fast. The occasion was this: This Matthias the high priest, on the night before that day when the fast was to be celebrated, seemed, in a dream, to have conversation with his wife; and because he could not officiate himself on that account, Joseph, the son of Ellemus, his kinsman, assisted him in that sacred office. But Herod deprived this Matthias of the high priesthood, and burnt the other Matthias, who had raised the sedition, with his companions, alive. And that very night there was an eclipse of the moon.”5 [emphasis added]

“When he [Herod] had done these things, he died, the fifth day after he had caused Antipater to be slain; having reigned, since he had procured Antigonus to be slain, thirty-four years; but since he had been declared king by the Romans, thirty-seven.”6

Shortly after a legislated period of mourning, a group formed committed to violence in order to avenge the death of Matthias and others that Herod had put to death. Their demise occurred “upon the approach of that feast of unleavened bread, which the law of their fathers had appointed for the Jews at this time, which feast is called the Passover.”7

These details specify that Herod's death occurred shortly after a lunar eclipse during a fast and shortly before the following Passover which was thirty-four years from the time Antigonus had been executed. Since the Jewish calendar is tied to phases of the moon, a lunar eclipse can only occur at the middle of a month during the full moon phase. The only Jewish fast which occurs during the middle of the month is the Fast of Esther or Purim which takes place in February/March.

Table 1: List of lunar eclipses around Herod's death

Although the 3 BC eclipse occurred during the appropriate time of the year, the particular type of eclipse would have been very difficult to observe. The partial eclipse during March of 4 BC is the most likely candidate. The Passover took place a month later with the death of Herod having occurred between those events. Starting at 37 BC and using inclusive reckoning, thirty-four years later also ends in 4 BC.

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The Star​

What exactly was the “star” and can any of the details in the biblical narrative be used to give clarity to the date? Many have suggested various astronomical events: a comet, a super-nova, planetary conjunctions. Others consider a star that moves around in the sky and then stands still so preposterous that they either consider it a unique miraculous event or allegorize it completely away. The text in Matthew assumes a natural phenomenon since the super natural elements are clearly described (i.e. various angelic visions which occur throughout the narrative).

There have been proposals trying to connect the star with planetary conjunctions in 2-3 BC. However, these theories erroneously transfer modern astrological methods and concepts to an ancient culture which would not have understood them in the same way.

Another proposal which considers the star as a planetary conjunction is put forward in Molnar's book “The Star of Bethlehem.” He considers the significance of the heavenly bodies involved and their astrological symbolism from a more accurate cultural and historical viewpoint. His research shows that this event occurred in 6 BC.

Molnar traces how the Magi continued to improve their understanding of astronomy over the centuries from the empires of Babylon, Persia and eventually adopting Greek influences.1 This Greek-influenced astrology is recorded around 150 AD in the works of Claudius Ptolemy who collected information from first century BC sources.2 Ptolemy's work contains details of how nations and regions were symbolized by their own unique astrological zodiac sign. The Syrian region, including Judea, was symbolized by Aries, the ram. Molnar gives evidence of this by describing the history and including images of Syrian coins which were minted several times during the early decades of the first century which prominently featured the sign of Aries and a star on one side.3

Molnar goes on to describe the astronomical phenomena that the Magi would have considered astrologically significant. Jupiter as a regal planet was occulted by and emerged from behind the moon on April 17, 6 BC. At this exact time, Jupiter rose above the eastern horizon – a helical rising – as a star rising in the east. In addition, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon all were significantly located in the sign of Aries – the symbol of the region of Judea.4

The term “went before” that is in Matthew's narrative has been found in Ptolemy's writings where it is used to refer to retrograde motion of the planets. Planets, in their orbits as viewed from the earth, slow to a stop, move backwards relative to the other objects in the sky, then again slow to a stop and finally begin moving in their normal direction and speed. During 6 BC, Jupiter slowed and stopped on August 23 for about a week. It began to move westward in the night sky and re-entered the sign of Aries on October 27. It again stopped and stood still for a week on December 19 and then resumed its eastward motion in early January of 5 BC.5 Matthew's account paraphrased by Molnar to contain astronomical language is: “And behold the planet which they had seen at its heliacal rising went retrograde and became stationary above in the sky (which showed) where the child was.”6

These various astrological elements were based on uniquely positioned astronomical observations during that year. Although conjunctions such as these happen roughly every sixty years, the exact combinations that occurred during 6 BC are extremely rare.7

Early Christian Assumption​

Al-Biruni, although a moslem scholar, states a very intriguing fact in his writings: “Further, Jews and Christians unanimously suppose that the birth of Jesus the son of Mary took place Anno Alexandri 304.”8 Al-Biruni based the start of the Anno Alexandri era at the point when Alexander the Great entered Jerusalem in 330 BC. However, the commonly used Seleucid Era dating begins from 311-310 BC which he never seems to recognize in his long and very detailed work.

330 BC(Anno Alexandri) + 304 years = 26 BC

The result of 26 BC is much too early to be correct. But by redoing the calculation starting with the Seleucid era instead, the resulting date is 7-6 BC; a date that is extremely relevant.

310 BC(Seleucid Era start) + 304 years = 6 BC

Al-Biruni states that the number of '304' was commonly known in the Christian community of his time. It is possible that the era was misrepresented and instead of Anno Alexandri, it should have actually been counted from the beginning of the Seleucid Era.

Summary​

Unfortunately, there are no definitive historical records that shed light as to Jesus' exact date of birth . However, there is enough plausible evidence in the topics discussed that point to the mid first decade BC and more specifically to 6 BC as the year.


This is an excerpt from my book Hidden Rhythms in Prophecy

 

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Syrian coin from circa 6AD. Governor Quirinius. A ram - the symbol of the Syrian province of the Roman Empire. From Schick Coins.


Who hasn't watched "The Charlie Brown Christmas Special"? When it gets to the part where Linus recites the Christmas narrative found in the Book of Luke, you wonder what is all that crazy stuff he's talking about? Caesar. Taxation. Governor Quir-something-something. Boring.

They definitely did have a different style of writing 2000 years ago. There was no thought to keep the readers interested. However, all those details serve to give authentication to what follows. Luke was a medical doctor - one of the most learned people in that society. His goal in writing his Gospel ("good news") was to record the factual information about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Therefore, starting at the birth of the baby, he gives the factual details of the time so that people could place the event in historical context. There was no standard date numbering system at the time - each country had its own based on their cultural history.

In a previous article, I wrote about the Magi - the wise men - who sought out Jesus in Bethlehem. The sign in the sky (the star) was most likely a significant arrangement of planets, moon and sun in the zodiacal sign which was recognized as significant to these astrologers. Jupiter has long been recognized as a regal planet being the largest in the solar system. In 6 B.C. it emerged from behind the moon as it rose in the eastern direction within the sign of Aries - the Ram. As mentioned, Syria was well known to have the ram as a symbol of the area. The image above shows a Syrian coin from the period which has the sign of the ram on one side of the coin and Governor Quirinius on the other. Very likely these wise men began their quest to search for a new born king in the Syrian area, in Judea and where else to find this baby king - but in the capital of Judea, Jerusalem. This is why King Herod was so angry and jealous. He was not Jewish and had been placed in power by Roman decree. How dare they say there was a new and legitimely Jewish king foretold in the stars.

Luke begins his narrative with several factual details:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

[Luk 2:1-7 ESV]

Excerpt from my book "Hidden Rhythms in Prophecy":

Caesar Augustus​

Caesar Augustus wrote of his accomplishments during his reign and listed the various times a census was taken: 28 BC, 8 BC and 14 AD.

“When I was consul the fifth time (29 B.C.E.), I increased the number of patricians by order of the people and senate. I read the roll of the senate three times, and in my sixth consulate (28 B.C.E.) I made a census of the people with Marcus Agrippa as my colleague. I conducted a lustrum, after a forty-one year gap, in which lustrum were counted 4,063,000 heads of Roman citizens. Then again, with consular imperium I conducted a lustrum alone when Gaius Censorinus and Gaius Asinius were consuls (8 B.C.E.), in which lustrum were counted 4,233,000 heads of Roman citizens. And the third time, with consular imperium, I conducted a lustrum with my son Tiberius Caesar as colleague, when Sextus Pompeius and Sextus Appuleius were consuls (14 A.C.E.), in which lustrum were counted 4,937,000 of the heads of Roman citizens.”1

Although the census of 14 AD is obviously too late to be the one referenced by Luke, there have been questions raised when trying to connect the 8 BC census of Augustus. It is said that the census was only of Roman citizens in Roman provinces – which Judea was not at that time. However, there are records that show other Roman client kingdoms were included in these types of census. The requirement that all family members, no matter their nationality, had to go personally to their place of ancestry instead of just to the local taxation centre has been shown as a Roman requirement in ancient papyri. The purpose wasn't to pay taxes at that point, but to register all family members for taxation in the future.2

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Quirinius​

Luke's narrative mentions Quirinius. In Luke 2:2, almost all popular English translations give him the title of governor of Syria. However, historical records show that Quirinius did not have the title and position of Governor until 6 AD and he oversaw a census of the region after that point. This is detailed in the writings of Josephus. This information gives rise to what some say is a contradiction since the time period of the 8 BC census can not be reconciled with the historical information pointing to after 6 AD.

Roman governors of Syria from 23 BC - 17 AD3


The word translated as “governor” as used in Luke's Greek gospel is not a noun but a verb – “was governing” (S#2230). This does not state an official governmental title but is pointing to the time when Quirinius was active in that provincial region of Syria. Records do exist that show he was active in the region's political structure over the decade previous to his official position of Governor; however, records don't exist as to the exact timing of his positions.4 A possible translation of Luke 2:2 reads: “it was the first census in the period of time when Quirinius was governing in Syria.” Therefore, Luke is making a definite distinction between Quirinius' later census and the earlier one he oversaw on behalf of Augustus.

Tertullian's writings in 211 AD make mention of the census that is recorded in Luke's narrative. However, instead of stating that the title of Governor belonged to Quirinius, he lists the historically accurate name of Sentius Saturninus. “At that time there were censuses that had been taken in Judea under Augustus by Sentius Saturninus, in which they may have enquired about Jesus' ancestry.”5 The supposed textual contradiction does not even get mentioned in his discussion.

The second issue raised about Luke 2:2 is the Greek usage of the word “first.” Many English translations treat it as an adjective for the census (i.e. “this first census”). However, the King James version treats it as an adverb: “this taxing was first made”. Dr. Wallace, a New Testament Greek scholar, says “this issue cannot be resolved with certainty,”6 and especially does not like the option of treating it as an adjective of the census since he claims there is difficulty in finding multiple censuses. But he does not offer a theory of how to reconcile the two censuses which have historical evidence of occurring a decade apart.

When comparing the passage in Greek with the Aramaic, the order matches word for word. Although the Greek grammatical rules are imprecise, the grammatical rules of Aramaic are similar to Hebrew in that adjectives are placed after the nouns that they modify. In this passage it is clearly meant as “the first census.”7

1[Augustus]

2[Caesar]

3[Molnar] p.59

4[Compton] p. 45-54

5[Tertullian] p. 363

6[Wallace]

7[Dukhrana] Luke 2:2