There have been numerous dates offered for the crucifixion. Over time these have been whittled down to a few possibilities 27 AD, 30 AD, & 33 AD. In the 1980s and 1990s, two Oxford scientists made a strong case that was published in the most prestigious scientific journal in the world, no less (Nature) that showed the most likely date for Jesus's crucifixion was Passover, Friday 3, 33 AD.
They showed how the Bible, prophecy, and additional historical sources, and science all coincide with each other.
A key witness for this was Peter's speech on the Day of Pentecost when he said these things were in fulfillment of Joel:
People wonder when the sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood, and it seems Peter was referring to the day of the crucifixion. The sun was darkened for three hours (many think this was a khamsin desert dust storm)
But what about the moon turning to blood? This is was a common way to describe a lunar eclipse in ancient times. In addition, later second to third century Christian accounts also reference a lunar eclipse occurring during the crucifixion.
So, the scientists reconstructed the astronomical history and discovered that there was indeed a lunar eclipse visible from Jerusalem on Friday, April 3, 33 AD during Passover around 6 pm, the time of Christ's death (*and the only lunar eclipse on a Passover that ever occurred during that time period). Around the time of Christ's death and start of Passover sacrifices in the temple. Lunar eclipses were also seen as a omen, and sign of (God's) wrath. "Before the great and glorious day of the Lord" (resurrection).
A beautiful testimony to the most important events in history. The redemptive work of Christ's death, the resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost (the birth of the early church and outpouring of the Holy Spirit), all connected!
References: Here's a link to the abstract of the original 1983 study by Humphreys & Waddington. And here is a link to the follow up 1992 study they did. (If you scroll down that page I think they show the entire article (which includes the table I screenshot above). If not you can copy and google their article title and easily find pdfs of the whole article that you can download)
They showed how the Bible, prophecy, and additional historical sources, and science all coincide with each other.
A key witness for this was Peter's speech on the Day of Pentecost when he said these things were in fulfillment of Joel:
People wonder when the sun turned to darkness and the moon to blood, and it seems Peter was referring to the day of the crucifixion. The sun was darkened for three hours (many think this was a khamsin desert dust storm)
But what about the moon turning to blood? This is was a common way to describe a lunar eclipse in ancient times. In addition, later second to third century Christian accounts also reference a lunar eclipse occurring during the crucifixion.
So, the scientists reconstructed the astronomical history and discovered that there was indeed a lunar eclipse visible from Jerusalem on Friday, April 3, 33 AD during Passover around 6 pm, the time of Christ's death (*and the only lunar eclipse on a Passover that ever occurred during that time period). Around the time of Christ's death and start of Passover sacrifices in the temple. Lunar eclipses were also seen as a omen, and sign of (God's) wrath. "Before the great and glorious day of the Lord" (resurrection).
A beautiful testimony to the most important events in history. The redemptive work of Christ's death, the resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost (the birth of the early church and outpouring of the Holy Spirit), all connected!
References: Here's a link to the abstract of the original 1983 study by Humphreys & Waddington. And here is a link to the follow up 1992 study they did. (If you scroll down that page I think they show the entire article (which includes the table I screenshot above). If not you can copy and google their article title and easily find pdfs of the whole article that you can download)
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