WHEN WAS JESUS (YESHUA) BORN?
From “Hope For Today” Ministries
www.DavidHocking.org
(With Interesting ‘End-Notes’ from TheProphecies.com)
Every year around Christmas and Hanukkah we get this question from many of our listeners. In my University days, Ancient History was of great interest and became a major field of study along with the Bible and Biblical Languages. This question becomes a serious argument and most churches and Bible schools have no desire to tell the truth about it.
The details are presented in Luke 2:1-14 and start with the recorded fact of Caesar Augustus (Octavian, nephew of Julius Caesar) making a “decree” that “all the world should be taxed.”
Here is what we learn from historical facts of that time:
- Caesar Augustus ruled from 43 BC to 14 AD. Under his administration the famous Pax Romana (the Roman peace) was declared throughout the Empire beginning in 30 BC.
- Cyrenius (Quirinius) is called the “governor” of Syria in Luke 2:2 and we are told that “this taxing was first made when Cyrenius “was governing” in Syria. Flavius Josephus refers to a census in 6 AD when Quirinius was the actual governor of Syria. But, at the time of Luke 2:2 Quirinius was merely handling administrative duties in behalf of Varus, the actual Governor.
- Egyptian records tell us that a census was done by Rome every 14 years and that it took several years to accomplish it.
- Herod the Great was alive at the time of the Messiah’s birth according to Matthew 2:1. One of the problems which scholars have had in dealing with the time of our Lord’s birth is a reference in Josephus where he records an eclipse on March 13, 4 BC and says that it was “shortly before Herod died.” However, the actual date of the eclipse; was December 29, 1 BC. Time between the birth of the Messiah and Herod’s death is necessary since Joseph and Mary with the baby fled to Egypt and did not return until after Herod’s death according to Matthew 2:18-21. The actual date of Herod’s death (Roman history) was January 14, 1 BC.
- TERTULLIAN, church leader and historian, said that the birth of Yeshua was 41 years after Augustus began his rule, and that Augustus died 15 years after the birth of Yeshua. The actual date of the death of Augustus Caesar was August 19, 14 AD. It is interesting to note that Tertullian also said that Yeshua was born 28 years after the death of Cleopatra who died in 30 BC.
- IRENAEUS, a disciple of Polycarp who was a disciple of the Apostle John, says that Yeshua was born in the 41st year of the reign of Caesar Augustus. Eusebius, a great church historian, also says about the same things. The 42nd year of Augustus ran from the autumn of 2 BC to the autumn of 1 BC.
- ZECHARIAS, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest “of the course of Abia (Abijah)”according to Luke 1:5. There are 24 courses (division) of priests according to I Chronicles 24. Abijah’s course (division) was the 8th course among the 24 courses. When the Jewish Temple was destroyed by the Roman Governor Titus on August 5, 70 AD, the first course of priests had just taken office. By tracing back carefully, the 8th course would have ended their duties on July 13, 3 BC.
- The birth of John the Baptist would be 280 days later – around April 19-20, 2 BC (which, interestingly, was Passover that year!
- The birth of Jesus (Yeshua) would have been six months later (Luke 1:36) which would place it in the fall of 2 BC.
- The very interesting fact in all this is that the actual date in the fall of 2 BC would have been Tishri 1 on the Jewish calendar – which was Rosh HaShana – the Feast of Trumpets!
Our conclusion (if we have gotten all the facts straight!) is that the Messiah, our blessed Lord Jesus (Yeshua) was “probably” born on September 29 in 2 BC (which was the day of Rosh HaShana that year!)
Personally, I am happy to celebrate the birth of the Messiah on any date of the year you wish it to be! The good news is that in the city of Bethlehem, ISRAEL, the city of King David, the Savior was born, and He is Messiah the Lord – KING of kings and LORD of lords!
The celebration of Christmas Day on December 25 arises out of pagan practices, not out of the accuracy of Biblical facts. The focus on a special “Christmas Tree” is also found in pagan practice, not in the Word of God!
The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah (8 days) was known as the Festival of Lights, and according to John 10:22-23 our Lord Jesus (Yeshua) was there!
John 10:22-23 – “And it was at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus (Yeshua) walked in the Temple in Solomon’s porch.”
Some Added Notes from www.TheProphecies.com :
- According to some, Rosh Hashanah (September 29) in 2 BC marked a “Jubilee” Year.
- If Jesus Christ was born on September 29, 2 BC then the date on which God’s Light (Messiah) actually entered into the World would be on the day of His Conception when God conceived His Son in the virgin Mary’s womb. This would have been 280 days (40 Weeks) prior to September 29, 2 BC. September 29, 2 BC minus 280 days = December 23, 3 BC (Add or Subtract Date Calendar Calculator ). December 23 was the Winter Solstice in 3 BC (http://www.cgsf.org/dbeattie/calendar/?roman=-2). The Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year. If this is indeed the case, then the Light of God entered into the World on the Darkest Day (and longest night) of the Year, which would be both significant and prophetic. So, celebrating the Birth (and Conception) of God’s Son, our Savior, sometime around December 25 (close to the dark night of the Winter Solstice) with beautiful lights and joy is a very good thing as we remember and receive with great thanksgiving God’s Gift of Light and Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven for ALL who receive His Gift (His Son) with a heart filled with sincere thanksgiving, faith, and love. (Prophecies of Jesus Christ)
- Passover 2021 will fall on the evening of March 27, 2021 (evening of March 26) and will mark 738,337 days ÷ 365.2425 days (modern calendar) = 2021.50 modern years and 40.43 Jubilees since Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha’Mashiach in Hebrew) was born in Bethlehem. This coming Passover will also mark 2050.94 years and 41 Jubilees using the Biblical 360-Day prophetic years.
- So, we could now be nearing the very end of the 40th Jubilee after God’s Light entered into the World.
- Which would also mean we are nearing the Year 6000 … “The 7th Day”
- Significant? I don’t know (but could be) … we’ll just have to wait and see.
- But, please make sure you’re always “Dressed and Ready” for His Return …
Grace and Shalom