It’s becoming more clear that April 3, 33 AD is our date. An ancient and startling Jewish prophecy of the Messiah adds more evidence.
Centuries before the birth of Christ, a young Jew was taken prisoner. He was abducted from his homeland and all that he had known. Perhaps he went along stumbling, bloody-footed with other prisoners. More likely, he rode a camel or cart because of his high birth. History does not say. He journeyed months from Judea, which he would never again see. But, when uprooted from everything familiar, this young man did not forget. According to the Bible, he did not lose faith in his god. His name was Daniel.
It was 605 BC. The tiny state of Judah was overrun by the great army of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Judah had taken the wrong side in a regional conflict between Egypt and Babylon, and it paid the price (1). To ensure its submission as a vassal state, many from Judah’s royal and aristocratic families were carried away in what is sometimes called the first Babylonian captivity. Daniel was among these.
The Bible records that Daniel was groomed for service in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. He learned the Babylonian language, literature and customs. With time, he became a trusted advisor to the king, more accomplished than all the other royal advisors. The Bible says that his true strength was in his faith and his god, not his personal ability.
Though his success in the king’s court was remarkable, and though he never returned to his homeland, still his heart must have remained in the land of his birth. The Bible records his prayers—heartcries, really. Pleas of such passion that there must have been tears on his face (2). Daniel pleaded with God for his people, that their captivity might end, that the temple at Jerusalem might be rebuilt.
The Bible records that during such a time of passion, Daniel had a vision. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and spoke. The Book of Daniel, Chapter 9 records:
21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed…
25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens’, and sixty-two ‘sevens’… 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens’, the Anointed One will be cut off…”— Daniel 9:21-26
The word “Christ” means “anointed one.” For this and other reasons, most commentators conclude that Daniel received a prediction of Messiah’s coming. More than that, Daniel was told the date of Messiah’s death, the date he would be “cut off.” That’s the date we seek for our astronomical investigation. So, can the numeric symbolism of Daniel’s “sevens” be deciphered? Perhaps it is not terribly complicated.
Taking a direct approach, let us assume that the “sevens” are seven years. Gabriel told Daniel that after the decree to rebuild, there would be “seven sevens” (which is 49), plus “sixty-two sevens” (which is 434). After these 483 years, the Anointed One would be cut off. If the prophecy is true, this would be the year of the crucifixion.
Remember that in ancient times, our modern calendar system was not in use. In other prophetic passages a year of 360 days is used (3). To convert to our modern system which uses the longer solar year, we must divide by the time it takes for Earth to orbit the Sun, which is 365.24 days. This yields 476 years on our calendar (4).
We now have a number of years, but when do we start the countdown? Gabriel said to count “from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.” When was that? The prophet Nehemiah records such a decree, and he dates it as the twentieth year of Artaxerxes (5). On our calendar, that date is 444 BC (6). Counting 476 years from 444 BC, and remembering that there is no year numbered “zero” AD, we discover what Gabriel told Daniel: the Messiah would be cut off in 33 AD.
This stunning prophecy, made over 500 years before Christ was born, is consistent with all of the other evidence we have seen. So, we have increasing confidence that Jesus was crucified on April 3, 33 AD. But the “clincher,” perhaps the most powerful evidence, is astronomical. Let’s consider Peter’s argument.
Footnotes:
- The Book of Daniel, Chapter 1: “1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…”
Malamat, Abraham, Caught Between the Great Powers, Biblical Archaeology Review, ISSN-0098-9444, Volume 25, Number 9, July/August 1999.
- The Book of Daniel , Chapter 9: “16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. 17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
- For example, in the Book of Revelation , Chapter 11, verses 3 and 4, a period of 42 months is equated with 1260 days. These are lunar months of 30 days, a 360 day lunar year, like that used by the ancient Egyptians.
- The math is straightforward:
7 x 7 = 49
7 x 62 = 434
49 + 434 = 483
483 years x the 360-day lunar year = 173,880 days
173,880 days / the 365.24 day solar year = 476 years in our calendar system - The Book of Nehemiah , Chapter2: “1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live for ever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.” 6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. 7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.”
- Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, Chapter VI: “Daniel’s Seventy Weeks and New Testament Chronology” (Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1977) ISBN 0-310-26211-9
I keep reading 445 BC for the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign. Are you sure about 444 BC? If it is 445 BC it matches Sir Roberl Anderson’s calculation of 32 AD and that would settle it for me once and for all.
Please see “Academic Resources” in “The Study” menu. Hohner is a good place to start.
Looking at your calculations utilization of the 360….. Now your into ancient calender and jubilee cycles systems Your 7×7=49 may have touched upon why the Dead Sea Scroll authors use of 49 with inter-calculations of Sabbatical, Lunar, Jubilees cycles of 49 and 294 year cycle of six jubilees associated with Codexs Calendar of the Heavenly Signs, Priestly service as to the seasons, Synchronistic Calendars etc. . Also Benedict’s hypothesis regarding Essene passover (calendar) and Johns Gospel.
The authors of the Dead Sea Scroll had been aware of the 365.2422, and incorporated this into their inter-calculations. Time was Holy, the week was Holy, thus it could not be broken. They went to great lengths to assure the week was kept whole in their inter-calculations.
I love your work and the material presented is great. However, I agree with Peter and do not see how your date 444bc makes sense. You are depending heavily on Hoener but the date of 445BC is more plausible. With respect to the Friday crucifixion I do not agree also. Trying to defend a Friday crucifixion has created more problems than before. 483X360 equals 173880; History show that the command was given March 14th 445 BC and Jesus made his triumphany entry on April 6 32 AD that would equal 173880 days
Don’t want to be a broken record, but please see the FAQ on the Friday crucifixion. I am familiar with the Jonah/High Sabbath issues. It seems that many of the ‘problems’ arising here are caused by picking and choosing among Jesus’ words. People may not intend to do this, but they do.
I believe that everything Jesus said and taught is true. I believe the Sign of Jonah is true. I believe Jesus (and Luke) are correct that Jesus rose on the third day, not the fourth. This is not isolated teaching; it appears in scripture at least eight times. These ideas must be reconciled. So, we begin the analysis with a given: Jesus did not teach He was in the grave for 72 hours. Jesus was not operating from our modern idea of a 24-hour day.
Fortunately, this is not a strange word usage. Each of us has said something like “I’ve been working on this all day!” when we have not, using a strict 24-hour day or even during all daylight hours. It is natural language.
Yes, your right about the 24hours. But wrong on the day he died. The problem is >>>What is a Day for God?
Look at Gen. 1:5 “God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” Notice in chapter 1 that a “Day” is >>>”evening and the morning was a Day” and NOT morning then evening. This is not 24 hours.
In the Law it states the day and time of the passover. Ex.12 “(twilight)Between the evenings(3pm-6pm). That’s when Jesus died at 3pm. This lamb was to be brought in on the 10th day(Palm Sunday). Note!! What day Jesus came in! Yep, It was Sunday the 10th day(Palm Sunday)<<>>after 6pm <<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day ===evening and morning
And using our Days
Day 1 ====Thursday (14th) evening to morning Friday(15th)
Day 2 ==== Friday(15th) evening to morning Sat.(16th)
Day 3 === Sat.(16th) evening to morning Sun.(17th)
Note –that a evening is darkness and morning is first light.
This adds up to three nights and three days.
I am familiar with these issues. Please see the FAQ.
Not sure why this got cut off?
It was to be kept till the 14th day. On the 14th day it was to be killed at twilight(3-6pm). The 14th day is the preparation day(Ex.12:16 “…that only may be prepared by you”) & John 19:14 & 31. The next day(after 6pm) is the 15th day (Feast of Unleavened). This is Sabbath NUMBER 1 or called High day sabbath(John 19:31). Second Sabbath is the the normal 7th day(16th day).
So, Jesus was taken on Thursday(our Wed.) the 14th Day. Died on the 14th at 3pm. Jesus died on both Jews Thursday and our Thursday.
Using God’s Day:
Day ===evening and morning
And using our Days
Day 1 ====Thursday (14th) evening to morning Friday(15th)
Day 2 ==== Friday(15th) evening to morning Sat.(16th)
Day 3 === Sat.(16th) evening to morning Sun.(17th)
Note –that a evening is darkness and morning is first light.
This adds up to three nights and three days.
there are some other factors that have not been considered. time span and earth expansion.
there were many earthquakes on the earth and times could have changed significantly. we have seen in recent years how the speed of the globe has changed due to tsunamis and other earthquakes. these are things to consider also in dating. even though most of these earthquakes recorded in israel, through the scriptures. it doesn’t necessarily correlate with the rest of the world. so i injected these verses to illustrate. what was the rest of the world doing?
Genesis 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Genesis 10:25 And unto Eber were born two sons: The name of the one was Peleg. For in his days was the earth divided. And his brother’s name was Joktan.
1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Isaiah 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Zechariah 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Really liked what you had to say in your post, The Star of Bethlehem | Daniel's prophecy, thanks for the good read!
— Ilana
http://www.terrazoa.com
It is interesting to note that, using free planetary software at http://www.stellarium.org, looking at the sun from the location of the moon, the earth eclipses the sun from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on 4/3/33 AD (see http://www.bethlehemstarsequel.com for a screenshot). I don’t understand how the time zones affect this, but the software gives this time frame. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm? He died at the same time the lambs were being slaughtered for Passover. The eclipse takes place in the foreground of the constellation Aries – The Ram – and a male lamb is called a ram.
http://wp.me/p3tGFm-17
Dear Brothersand Sisters.
This make 69 periodes of 7. 69 year-weeks.
Where is the last week? Number 70?
At the end of time for gentiles, then the last week for Israel starts up.
SOON to come.
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21.
Thank you for a very enlightening study!
Is there any evidence, in writings of the Magi or other ancient sources, that the Magi of the time of Christ were aware of the writings of Daniel? Because he had been designated the “master of the Magi (Daniel 2:48, 4:9), I think it very likely the would be, but is there any evidence?