The exact date of Jesus' death is not known with certainty, as the Gospels do not provide specific information about the time of year when he was crucified. However, there are several factors that can help us narrow down the possible months when Jesus may have died.
One important clue is the Jewish festival of Passover, which was celebrated in the spring. The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover, which suggests that he died in the spring months. Additionally, the Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour," which corresponds to noon. This detail suggests that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, since the Jewish Sabbath began at sunset on Friday evening.
Based on these clues, it is possible to estimate the month of Jesus' death. The Jewish Passover typically falls in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Combining this information with the mention of the sixth hour in the Gospel of John, it is most likely that Jesus was crucified on a Friday in either March or April.
what month did jesus die
Scholars estimate Jesus' crucifixion in spring.
- Passover festival is the main clue.
- Jewish Passover typically in March or April.
- Gospel of John mentions "about the sixth hour".
- Crucifixion likely on a Friday.
- Most likely in March or April.
- Exact date unknown.
- Estimated based on historical and biblical clues.
- Widely accepted among biblical scholars.
While the exact date of Jesus' death cannot be determined with certainty, the evidence suggests that he was crucified sometime in the spring, most likely in March or April.
Passover festival is the main clue.
The Jewish festival of Passover is a major clue in determining the month of Jesus' death. Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, and it is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. For example, the Gospel of Mark states that Jesus was crucified "on the day before the Passover" (Mark 14:12). This suggests that Jesus died on a Friday, since the Jewish Sabbath began at sunset on Friday evening.
The Gospel of John provides further evidence that Jesus died around the time of Passover. John 19:14 states that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour," which corresponds to noon. This detail is significant because the Passover lamb was traditionally slaughtered at noon on the day before Passover (Exodus 12:6). Therefore, it is likely that Jesus was crucified on the same day that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.
Based on these clues, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus was crucified during the Passover festival, which typically falls in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
While the exact date of Jesus' death cannot be determined with certainty, the evidence from the Gospels suggests that he died sometime in the spring, most likely during the Passover festival.
Jewish Passover typically in March or April.
The Jewish Passover festival is typically celebrated in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. This is because the Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it is based on both the solar year and the lunar month. As a result, the dates of Jewish festivals vary from year to year.
The date of Passover is determined by the appearance of the new moon following the весеннее равноденствие (vernal equinox). The весеннее равноденствие is the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward, and it typically occurs around March 20 or 21. The first day of Passover begins on the evening of the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which is the first month of the Jewish calendar. Passover lasts for seven days, ending on the evening of the 21st day of Nisan.
Since the Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, the date of Passover can vary by up to a month from year to year. However, it will always fall in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
The fact that Passover typically falls in March or April is significant in determining the month of Jesus' death. As we have seen, the Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. This means that Jesus likely died in the spring, most likely in March or April.
While the exact date of Jesus' death cannot be determined with certainty, the evidence from the Gospels and the Jewish calendar suggests that he died sometime in the spring, most likely during the Passover festival.
Gospel of John mentions "about the sixth hour".
The Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour" (John 19:14). This detail is significant in determining the month of Jesus' death.
- The sixth hour corresponds to noon.
In Jewish reckoning, the day began at sunrise and ended at sunset. The sixth hour, therefore, would be the middle of the day, or noon.
- The Passover lamb was slaughtered at noon.
According to Jewish law, the Passover lamb was to be slaughtered "between the two evenings" (Exodus 12:6). This phrase is generally understood to refer to the time between noon and sunset. Therefore, it is likely that Jesus was crucified at the same time that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.
- Jesus' death coincided with the Passover festival.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. This means that Jesus likely died in the spring, most likely in March or April. The fact that Jesus was crucified at noon on the day of the Passover lamb's slaughter further supports the conclusion that he died during the Passover festival.
- The sixth hour is consistent with other Gospel accounts.
While the Gospel of John is the only Gospel that explicitly mentions the sixth hour, the other Gospels also provide evidence that Jesus was crucified around noon. For example, the Gospel of Mark states that Jesus was crucified "at the ninth hour" (Mark 15:34), which would be 3:00 PM. This suggests that Jesus was crucified sometime between noon and 3:00 PM.
Taken together, the evidence from the Gospel of John and the other Gospels suggests that Jesus was crucified at noon on the day of the Passover lamb's slaughter. This is consistent with the conclusion that Jesus died during the Passover festival, which typically falls in the months of March or April.
Crucifixion likely on a Friday.
There are several reasons why it is likely that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
- The Gospels indicate that Jesus died on a Friday.
All four Gospels agree that Jesus was crucified on the day before the Jewish Sabbath (Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:54-56, John 19:31-42). Since the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday evening, this means that Jesus must have been crucified on a Friday.
- Jesus' death coincided with the Passover festival.
As we have seen, the Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. This means that Jesus likely died in the spring, most likely in March or April. The fact that Jesus was crucified on a Friday during Passover is consistent with the Jewish practice of executing criminals on the day before the Sabbath.
- The early church met on Sundays.
The early church met on Sundays to commemorate Jesus' resurrection. This practice suggests that the early Christians believed that Jesus had risen from the dead on a Sunday. If Jesus had been crucified on any other day of the week, it is unlikely that the early church would have chosen Sunday as their day of worship.
- Friday crucifixions were common in the Roman Empire.
Crucifixion was a common method of execution in the Roman Empire. Roman authorities often crucified criminals on Fridays as a way to deter crime and maintain order. The fact that Jesus was crucified on a Friday is therefore consistent with Roman practices.
Taken together, the evidence from the Gospels, the Jewish calendar, the early church, and Roman practices all suggest that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
Most likely in March or April.
Based on the evidence we have examined so far, it is most likely that Jesus was crucified in March or April. Here is a summary of the evidence:
- Passover festival is the main clue.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. Passover typically falls in the months of March or April.
- Jewish Passover typically in March or April.
The Jewish Passover festival is typically celebrated in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
- Gospel of John mentions "about the sixth hour".
The Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour," which corresponds to noon. This detail is significant because the Passover lamb was traditionally slaughtered at noon on the day before Passover.
- Crucifixion likely on a Friday.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Since the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday evening, this means that Jesus must have been crucified on a Friday during Passover.
Taken together, this evidence suggests that Jesus was most likely crucified in March or April. While the exact date of his death cannot be determined with certainty, the evidence points to the spring months as the most likely time.
It is important to note that some scholars have proposed other possible dates for Jesus' death. For example, some have suggested that he may have died in the fall or winter. However, the evidence presented above suggests that a spring crucifixion is the most likely scenario.
Exact date unknown.
While we can narrow down the month of Jesus' death to March or April, the exact date of his death is unknown.
- The Gospels do not provide a specific date.
The Gospels provide some clues about the timing of Jesus' death, such as the fact that he was crucified during Passover and that it was "about the sixth hour" (noon). However, they do not provide a specific day or date.
- The early church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter.
The early church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter. Instead, they celebrated the resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday following Passover. This suggests that the early Christians did not know the exact date of Jesus' death.
- Different Christian traditions have different dates for Easter.
Different Christian traditions have different dates for Easter. For example, Western churches typically celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the весеннее равноденствие (vernal equinox). Eastern churches, on the other hand, celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Julian calendar's весеннее равноденствие (vernal equinox). This difference in dates is due to the fact that the Western church uses the Gregorian calendar while the Eastern church uses the Julian calendar.
- The exact date of Jesus' death is not essential for Christian faith.
The exact date of Jesus' death is not essential for Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, but the specific date of his death is not considered to be a matter of doctrine.
In conclusion, the exact date of Jesus' death is unknown. The Gospels do not provide a specific date, the early church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter, and different Christian traditions have different dates for Easter. However, the evidence suggests that Jesus was most likely crucified in the spring, most likely in March or April.
Estimated based on historical and biblical clues.
While the exact date of Jesus' death is unknown, scholars have been able to estimate the month of his death based on historical and biblical clues.
- Passover festival is the main clue.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. Passover typically falls in the months of March or April.
- Jewish Passover typically in March or April.
The Jewish Passover festival is typically celebrated in the months of March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
- Gospel of John mentions "about the sixth hour".
The Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour," which corresponds to noon. This detail is significant because the Passover lamb was traditionally slaughtered at noon on the day before Passover.
- Crucifixion likely on a Friday.
The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Since the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday evening, this means that Jesus must have been crucified on a Friday during Passover.
Taken together, these clues suggest that Jesus was most likely crucified in March or April. While the exact date of his death cannot be determined with certainty, this estimate is based on the best available evidence.
Widely accepted among biblical scholars.
The conclusion that Jesus was most likely crucified in March or April is widely accepted among biblical scholars.
- The evidence is strong.
The evidence that Jesus was crucified in March or April is strong. This evidence includes the fact that he was crucified during or shortly before Passover, that Passover typically falls in March or April, that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour" (noon), and that he was crucified on a Friday.
- There is no credible evidence to support other dates.
While some scholars have proposed other possible dates for Jesus' death, there is no credible evidence to support these dates. The evidence that Jesus was crucified in March or April is much stronger.
- The consensus among scholars is clear.
The vast majority of biblical scholars agree that Jesus was most likely crucified in March or April. This consensus is based on the strength of the evidence and the lack of credible evidence to support other dates.
- This conclusion is consistent with Christian tradition.
The conclusion that Jesus was crucified in March or April is consistent with Christian tradition. The early church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter, but they did celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday following Passover. This suggests that the early Christians believed that Jesus had died during Passover.
In conclusion, the evidence suggests that Jesus was most likely crucified in March or April. This conclusion is widely accepted among biblical scholars and is consistent with Christian tradition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Month of Jesus' Death
Question 1: In what month did Jesus die?
Answer: Based on the available evidence, it is most likely that Jesus died in the spring, most likely in March or April.
Question 2: How do we know that Jesus died in the spring?
Answer: The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during or shortly before Passover. Passover typically falls in the months of March or April.
Question 3: What other evidence supports a spring crucifixion?
Answer: The Gospel of John mentions that Jesus was crucified "about the sixth hour," which corresponds to noon. This detail is significant because the Passover lamb was traditionally slaughtered at noon on the day before Passover.
Question 4: Why was Jesus crucified on a Friday?
Answer: The Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Since the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday evening, this means that Jesus must have been crucified on a Friday during Passover.
Question 5: Is the exact date of Jesus' death known?
Answer: No, the exact date of Jesus' death is not known. The Gospels do not provide a specific date, and the early church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter.
Question 6: Why is the month of Jesus' death significant?
Answer: The month of Jesus' death is significant because it is connected to the celebration of Easter, which is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar.
While the exact date of Jesus' death is unknown, the evidence suggests that he most likely died in the spring, most likely in March or April. This conclusion is widely accepted among scholars and is consistent with Christian tradition.
Tips
Helpful Tips for Understanding the Month of Jesus' Death
Tip 1: Read the Gospels carefully.
The Gospels provide the most information about the month of Jesus' death. Pay attention to details such as the timing of Passover and the day of the week on which Jesus was crucified.
Tip 2: Learn about the Jewish calendar.
The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that it is based on both the solar year and the lunar month. This can make it difficult to determine the exact date of Jesus' death. However, learning about the Jewish calendar can help you understand the context in which Jesus lived and died.
Tip 3: Consider the early Christian tradition.
The early Christian church did not celebrate a specific date for Easter. Instead, they celebrated the resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday following Passover. This suggests that the early Christians did not know the exact date of Jesus' death.
Tip 4: Be open to different perspectives.
There is no single, universally accepted answer to the question of when Jesus died. Different scholars have different opinions on this matter. Be open to considering different perspectives and evaluating the evidence for yourself.
Closing Paragraph for Tips
By following these tips, you can gain a better understanding of the month of Jesus' death. Remember, the exact date of his death is not essential for Christian faith. What is important is that Jesus died and rose from the dead, conquering sin and death.
Ultimately, the month of Jesus' death is a matter of historical inquiry. While we cannot know for certain the exact date of his death, the evidence suggests that he most likely died in the spring, most likely in March or April.
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points
In this article, we have explored the question of the month of Jesus' death. We have seen that the Gospels provide some clues about the timing of his death, such as the fact that he was crucified during or shortly before Passover and that it was "about the sixth hour" (noon). We have also seen that the Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which can make it difficult to determine the exact date of Jesus' death.
However, based on the available evidence, it is most likely that Jesus died in the spring, most likely in March or April. This conclusion is widely accepted among biblical scholars and is consistent with Christian tradition.
Closing Message
While the exact date of Jesus' death is not known, the month of his death is significant because it is connected to the celebration of Easter, which is the most important holiday in the Christian calendar. Easter is a time when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and celebrate his victory over sin and death.
Whether you are a Christian or not, I hope that this article has helped you to learn more about the month of Jesus' death and its significance. Thank you for reading!