By Eddie Wrenn
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Jesus died on Friday, April 3, 33AD, according to an investigation which matches his death to an earthquake.
The investigation, from the International Geology Review, looked at earthquake activity around the Dead Sea, which is around 13 miles from Jerusalem.
The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27, says that as Jesus lay dying on the cross, an earthquake shook the area, scattering graves and making the sky go dark.
Hieronymus Bosch' painting of The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (c. 1500)
Now researchers have looked at textual accounts, geological records and astronomical data to find the most likely date for Jesus's death.
Geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical, and colleagues from the German Research Center for Geosciences, studied soil samples from the beach of Ein Gedi Spa, next to the Dead Sea.
Researching the deeper layers of the soil, two earthquakes were detected by looking at the layers of built-up sediment, called varves, which built up each year.
A widespread earthquake is known to have happened in 31BC, and another one was detected which must have occured between 26AD and 36AD.
The Gospel of Matthew:
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
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."
He said the the day and date of the crucifixion are known with a fair degree of precision - but the year has been in question.
However, putting the jigsaw together, Williams said the clues were:
- All four gospels and Tacitus in Annals (XV,44) agree that the crucifixion occurred when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea from 26-36 AD
- All four gospels say the crucifixion occurred on a Friday
- All four gospels agree that Jesus died a few hours before the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath (nightfall on a Friday)
- The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) indicate that Jesus died before nightfall on the 14th day of Nisan; right before the start of the Passover meal
- John’s gospel differs from the 'Synoptic Gospels'; apparently indicating that Jesus died before nightfall on the 15th day of Nisan
The researchers said that these clues, combined with the Jewish calendar and astronomy clues, indicate that Friday April 3, 33 AD is the best possible match.
The coast of the Dead Sea - clues under the ground help identify when and where earthquakes happened
One other clue in the gospels may also support this theory - three of the four canonical gospels report darkness from midday to 3pm on the day after the crucifixion.
Williams told Discovery that this could have been caused by a dust storm - and now he is searching the soil samples to see if he can find evidence of this as well.
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The whole point of faith is, well faith. What ticks me off are the idiots who say "I don't believe in .... abortion, tax cuts for the rich". One cannot 'not believe' in something which is tangible. Leave those who wish to believe in peace to live in peace.
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Believing that Jesus died for our sins and is in Heaven is the easy bit. Try being humble (acknowledging someone is better than you), forgiving someone who has stabbed you in the back at work, and giving away your money (not just the odd pence) is not. Have you tried it ? Many people say they are 'Christians' but don't seem to be able to do the most important bit.
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Oh here we go again. Making up more dates in the life and death of our imaginary friend above. (my eyes are rolling out of my head)
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"My mistake Dave, I thought that Christians would find a different slant on the crucifixion an interesting point of discussion, but you all seem to be more interested in forcing your own opinions on people. If you had read my comment properly through the red mist you would have realised that I was talking about the possibility of RITUAL crucifixion. - Terry" --- I genuinely wasn't forcing my opinion on anyone. I was just stating what I believe - everyone has the choice to accept Jesus or reject him. I don't understand what you mean by "ritual" crucifixion. Jesus was fully crucified and was killed (again, my beliefs, you can take it or leave it).
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"When one Chrisltian proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus existed then I might listen, until then, this article is pure rubbish!" - Gillian, Woodford Well even many non-Christians and Athiests have given plenty of evidence to suggest that he did. Isn't that more acceptable to you? @kat of Birmingham, yes you are correct and all the geologists are wrong - earthquakes didn't exist 2000 years ago and are due to man-made global warming. ;)
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Religion is the curse of the masses. When one Chrisltian proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus existed then I might listen, until then, this article is pure rubbish ! - Gillian, Woodford, 25/5/2012 13:31 Er...no , Mrs Doubting, aka Thomas, ignorance is the curse of the masses, and atheism is the opiate of the masses. Because then you don't think you will ever need to prepare to meet your maker.
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At last! Does this mean that we can have Easter weekend on a defined date now instead of jumping all over the place I'm fed up of missing Easter cos i'm away working and though my dates change every year...so does the date of Easter weekend! Either he died or he didn't so let's have a set date. (Or is it merely a convenience for everyone and sod all to do with religion?)
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Its all LIES - he never even ex.isted - stop being brainwashed.
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You might as well try to research the accuracy of the facts in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I understand why some people still cling absurdly to religion. Apart from the fact that they have been cruely indoctrinated, it is difficult to face the fact that all the evidence points to a lack of a supreme being and that life is probably utterly pointless and intangible. This IS difficult, but those of us who accept the truth get our comfort elsewhere, from arts, science and the wonder of the universe. No crutch required.
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As a kid at Sunday school I suggested that Jesus was not born in December because how could the shepherds have brought lambs to Him at that time of year as lambs came in the Spring. I was told I was not to question the Bible. I was threatened with expulsion when I asked who Cain and Abel married !! - Poppy Clarke, Croydon UK, 25/5/2012 9:27 Have you ever considered that your problem may have been the church and not the message? What kind of Sunday school were you attending? Catholic perhaps? No where in the Bible does it state that Jesus Christ was born in December...any true church or Christian should be able to handle such questions and encourage questions.
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