LESSON FOUR

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Scripture to Read: Ezra 5, Luke 3, Matthew 3&14, John 13-21, Acts 1,2 & 7

483 years + 7 years = 490 years               

Fall 29 AD - Spring 33 AD = 3.5 years (death ending Levitical sacrifices) 

Spring 33 AD - Fall 36 AD = 3.5 years (end of Jewish ministry & beginning of the church)

“Then after the sixty-two weeks (483 years), the Messiah will be cut off (33 AD) and have nothing, and he will confirm a (old) covenant with the many for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering (33 AD).” Daniel 9:26-27

14AD - 37AD Tiberius Caesar reigned

18AD - 36AD Caiaphas reigned

26AD - 36AD Pontius Pilate reigned

29AD - John the Baptist ministry began 

(14AD Tiberius began reign – 29AD began his ministry = 15 years)

“Now in the FIFTEENTH YEAR of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas & Caiaphas, the WORD of GOD CAME to JOHN, son of Zechariah in the wilderness” Luke 3:1-2

(3BC John’s birth + 29AD beginning of his ministry - 1 = 31 years old)

Thirty was the Biblical age when a priest could begin to serve God.

“From 30 years old, even to the age of 50, everyone who can enter the service of ministry to do work in the tent of meeting.” Numbers 4:3

Fall 29AD - Jesus’ ministry began & his anointment by God. 

(3BC Jesus’ birth + 29AD beginning of his ministry - 1 = 31 years old)

“When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was [about thirty years old], being, as was commonly held, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,” Luke 3:23

Jesus ministered for 43 months based on bible’s reference to 3 Passovers. If Jesus was baptized in Sept 29AD and then spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan, that would make mid Oct 29AD when he began his ministry. Thus 43 months later should be one confirmation of the crucifixion date.

“Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan, coming to John to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, 'I have the need to be baptized by You, and yet You are coming to me?' But Jesus, answering, said to him, 'Allow it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed Him. After He was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and settling on Him, and behold, a voice from the heavens said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’” Matthew 3:13-17

30AD - John the Baptist executed in the prison of Machaerus 

“But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. And after being prompted by her mother, she said, 'Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.' And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and his dinner guests. He sent word and had John beheaded in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.” Matthew 14:6-12

Documented: "Herod of Antipas was a ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4 BCE to 39 CE, part of the Herodian dynasty that governed Judea under Roman oversight."

Thursday, April 2, 33AD – Last Supper (Nisan 14/Wednesday nightfall to Thursday nightfall) Day of Passover preparation 

“Now then, since it was the [day of preparation], to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews requested of Pilate that their legs be broken, and the bodies be taken away.” John 19:31

“When evening had already come, since it was the [preparation day], that is, the day before the Sabbath,” Mark 15:42

Friday, April 3, 33AD – Crucifixion (Nisan 15/Thursday nightfall to Friday nightfall) Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread began, Crucifixion (9am) Death (3pm) 

Seismological confirmation: The Bible records an earthquake in Jerusalem following Jesus’ Crucifixion. 

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51

Darkness of the Sun confirmation: The Bible also records an eclipse during the hours of his crucifixion.

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour, because the sun stopped shining; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.” Luke 23:44-45

Documented: “According to the Institute of Creation Research, a thin layer of disturbed sediment in a laminated Dead Sea outcrop in Wadi Ze ‘Elim points to an earthquake in 33 A.D. Secular Geologist, Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical, and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences, researched the Dead Sea and revealed that at least two major earthquakes occurred: A widespread earthquake in 31 B.C. and a seismic event that happened sometime between the years 26 and 36. Thus, this earthquake was clearly the one at Jesus' crucifixion. Moreover, the earthquake database maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does not record any other significant earthquake in Jerusalem between 1 and 50 A.D., apart from the earthquake in 33 A.D."         

Historical confirmation: “It is also confirmed by four other historians outside the Bible: Phlegon, Thallus, Africanus and Tertullian. These historians attempt to interpret the darkness as a direct effect of a solar eclipse which we know is scientifically not possible - but they wouldn't have known that in their time."

Evidence from Phlegon: “Phlegon was a Greek historian who wrote an extensive chronology around AD 137. Phlegon provides powerful confirmation, identifying the year and the exact time of day."

"In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., AD 33) there was ‘the greatest eclipse of the sun’ and that ‘it became night in the sixth hour of the day [i.e., noon] so that stars even appeared in the heavens. There was a great earthquake in Bithynia, and many things were overturned in Nicaea.’’

"In addition, he writes of an earthquake accompanying the darkness, which is specifically recorded in Matthew’s Gospel.” (Christianevidence.net 12/2017)  

Evidence from Africanus: "Africanus composed a five-volume History of the World around AD 221. He was also a pagan convert to Christianity. Africanus writes:

"On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Savior falls on the day before the Passover;”

Evidence from Thallus: "Africanus was a renowned third century historian. Africanus stated, ‘Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away the darkness as an eclipse of the sun—unreasonably as it seems to me.’ Thallus attempted to give a naturalistic explanation to the darkness during the crucifixion."

Evidence from Tertullian: "An additional possible reference to the Darkness, is related by St. Tertullian (160-220), in his Apology addressed to the "rulers of the Roman Empire". He also writes of the Darkness at Christ's Crucifixion:

“And yet, nailed upon the cross, He exhibited many notable signs, by which His death was distinguished from all others. At His own free-will, He with a word dismissed from Him His spirit, anticipating the executioner’s work. In the same hour, too, the light of day was withdrawn, when the sun at the very time was in his meridian blaze. Those who were not aware that this had been predicted about Christ, no doubt thought it an eclipse. You yourselves have the account of the world-portent still in your archives." (Christianevidence.net 12/2017)  

Astronomical Evidence: “On April 3, 33 A.D., the planets Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Earth, and Venus aligned in a way that resembled Jesus on the cross, with the head, hands, and legs accurately positioned and rotated on a galactic scale. Even Saturn’s rings could be interpreted as the “halo” or “crown of thorns.” This alignment has occurred only six times between the year 0 and 2000 A.D., which is equivalent to once every 333 years." (Christianevidence.net 4/2018)

Saturday, April 4, 33AD – Sabbath (Nisan 16/Friday nightfall to Saturday nightfall)

Sunday, April 5, 33AD – Resurrection (Nisan 17/Saturday nightfall to Sunday nightfall) 

Before Jesus’ ascension back to his Father, he visited and prepared his disciples for their ministry to the Jewish people for 40 days. He instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for a special gift from his Father.

“The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, 'Which,' He said, 'you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' Acts 1:1-5

May 33AD – Day of Pentecost (birth of the church)

In May of 33AD the gift arrived, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. This day will become known as the Day of Pentecost. On this day 3000 people received Jesus Christ as their Savior. This also was the beginning of the New Testament and the birth of the church.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.” Acts 2:1-4

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

Fall 36 AD – Stephen was stoned to death and became the first martyr of the church. His martyrdom is seen by some as a pivotal moment that marked a significant transition, leading to the scattering of Christians and intensifying the persecution under the Jewish hierarchy, which some interpret as a symbolic endpoint for God's 490-year covenant with Israel.

“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, and you have now become betrayers and murderers of Him; you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.' Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.' But they shouted with loud voices and covered their ears and rushed at him with one mind. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!' Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them!' Having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:52-60

Documented: D. Moody, "A New Chronology for the New Testament," R&E 78 (1981), 211, and "A New Chronology for the Life and Letters of Paul," CKC, 224, supports the stoning of Stephen in 36 CE based on a power vacuum left by Pilate's removal.  Pilate actually left in early 37 CE, and there is no evidence that his successor was without power." (nowoezone.com)

“Seventy weeks (490 years) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” Daniel 9:24

Daniel 9 does not specify a specific event for the end of the 490 years. However, since the 490 years were an extension of God’s covenant with Israel, the 490 years came to an end when God’s covenant with Israel ended, namely on the day that Stephen was stoned.