Somewhere In Time

Clues To The Puzzle Of Christ’s Life

by Jordan Blake Michiels

Historical Chronology and Calendrics

Somewhere in time, God was a man who lived. Often people see what they want to see and don’t see what they wish to deny. Whether or not you believe Jesus of Nazareth was Yahweh in the flesh is a matter of faith. However, the physical, material life of Jesus can be discovered if we really look at what has been preserved. There are many pieces of the puzzle and far more than can be discussed here. However, I have tried to present the major pieces that seem to be argued over; at least the ones that matter. In many ways, there is a difference between the historical Jesus and the Jesus created by different religions.

Whenever people ask what my hobbies are I tell them I study historical chronology and calendrics. I then routinely get the, “What?” look. So to explain – the chronology of history is the backbone or framework on which the stories of history and the people whose lives the study of history involves are attached for perspective. Calendrics according to Merriam Webster is the reckoning and recording of time over long periods: the creation and maintenance of a calendar. It is also the study of various calendar systems from different cultures. In short historical chronology and calendrics are the study of history, but much more.

Perspective is key to discovering the truth in regards to history and to truly understanding what happened and how the stories interlink to provide us with the rich tapestry of our past. Each of us by default becomes a de facto judge in ascertaining the truth and what that truth means for us. The problem with much of modern scholarship in the realm of history and religion is that too many have motives that deviate from a healthy respect for the accuracy of truth and yield to the fear in politics rather than holding to the truth for posterity's sake. In other cases, simply a lack of information leads them to inaccurate conclusions and dogmatic assumptions and assertions.

A forensic investigation requires the absence of an agenda and yet many will dismiss the facts simply because they are not what they want to believe. Case in point the response to Galileo dropping two spheres of different mass from the top of the leaning tower of Pisa in 1591 to demonstrate that objects of different size and weight would hit the ground at the same time. The law of free fall was born and almost 2000 years of debates over Aristotle’s theory of gravity were answered. The point I am making is absolute truth needs to be the only agenda.

As we are analyzing the data we have thus far at our disposal we must keep in mind we need to try and discover the perception of the writer or try to understand the context of a discovered artifact or written text and not lean primarily on our own view from where we are currently in history. Perspective and cultural nuances are critical to the reality we seek to know.

There are many theories we have come to love and rely on so that we may feel comfortable we know what we are believing. I am setting aside my presuppositional biases and simply looking at the data.

Now with this in mind let’s look at the evidence we have found. The first question is – where to start? So let us first find out where we are and go from there. In AD 525 Dionysius Exiguus of Scythia Minor devised the Anno Domini dating system and AUC 753 became 1 BC and AUC 754 became AD 1. (BC) is placed after the number and (AD) is placed before the number to preserve the syntactic order.

In modern times it has become politically correct to use BCE or CE for “Before the Common Era” and “Common Era” in an attempt to minimize the influence of Jesus Christ. However, you cut it – the life of Jesus Christ has divided history. For this research paper, I will be using BC and AD respectively as they pertain to the historical discussion at hand.

For more information Google “Gregorian Calendar” and “Anno Domini”.

Why Year 1 Is Not Year 1.…

Most scholars assume a date of the birth of Jesus Christ between 6 BC and 4 BC. The discrepancies are based on the confusion over calendars, astrological events, and reckoning systems. There were many calendrical systems being used at the time Jesus Christ was born. The Hebrew calendar with anno mundi or Nisan reckoning and Tishri reckoning, the Egyptian calendar, AUC or Anno Urbis Conditae (founding of Rome), Julian Calendar, and in our present-day – we use the Gregorian Calendar instituted by Pope Gregory the 13th in AD 1582. These among many others affect how we perceive the past. For example: Prior to 45 BC when much of the Roman world transitioned to the Julian calendar with non-accession inclusive reckoning many of the sources of Josephus’ would have used the anno mundi Nisan reckoning of the Hebrew calendar. The key to getting closer to and understanding the historical reality is by using a calendar converter to establish our anchor points.

For the purposes of this work, I am using the Rosetta Calendar converter which can be found at www.rosettacalendar.com. This calendar tool provides the Gregorian, Julian, and Hebrew calendars with the days of the week and the Julian day number. Also, the algorithms used, take into account the many nuances of the various calendrical rules and also the deleted days from history. I love this calendar converter and I believe you will also. I like to think Joseph Justice Scaliger would be ecstatic with this modern tool and the use of his system of Julian day numbers.

When different cultures celebrated and counted the beginning of the new year is also important to understand. Close to 4,000 years ago in Babylon, they began to celebrate the first new moon following the vernal equinox—the day in late March as the start of the new year. In 46 BC Julius Caesar instituted the Julian calendar transitioning from a lunar to a solar calendar which officially moved New Year’s day from March 1st to January 1st, for the Roman world. However, there was not a standard consensus until AD 1582 when the Gregorian calendar was instituted. Even still many countries, cultures, and cities did not accept the Gregorian calendar. Case in point Great Britain did not convert to the Gregorian calendar until AD 1752 under the Chesterfield's Act of AD 1751. The Act omitted eleven days from September AD 1752. Still further there are countries and cultures who to this day do not celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1st. China, Israel, and the Muslim world all celebrate new years at different times of the year.

Photo is of a calendar from Sumer

The point to be made is without understanding the subject matter and the calendrical perspective the chronology can be incorrect and nobody likes to be wrong. It is important that we use a tool like the Rosetta calendar converter to align the various calendar systems to the Gregorian so that we can view the events in their proper order and relationship.

Dionysius Exiguus is thought to have used the information from the book of Luke to calculate from the 15th year of Tiberius. Now the first thing we must find out is if the author of the source material (Luke) was counting from his co-regency beginning in AD 11/12 or the full regency in AD 14? Furthermore, was he using inclusive dating, non-inclusive, regnal dating (ordinal versus cardinal numbering), non-accession, or accession reckoning. To further complicate matters is the modern usage of exclusive dating and nominal or categorical numbering.

The obstacle in discovering the true perspective of any given source is understanding that perception is based on the information available. We do not experience the sensations of the writer. We only experience the outcome of our perceptual process in relation to what was written. Whether the information we have is complete or incomplete and whether our understanding of the words used is accurate as a concept. When our perceptual process is distorted by misinformation or misunderstood information our perception which is normally very accurate can become fooled and create an illusion that is false or does not exist. In order for our conclusion to be meaningful, it requires that our interpretation be as accurate as possible.

In ancient times dating systems were often what we now call regnal years and the dates are considered to be ordinal, not cardinal. For example, “ordinal” is that a king or monarch could have a first, second, or third year of rule, but not a year zero. While cardinal numbering would be year 1, year 2, year 3, and so forth, also without a year zero. The difference is cardinal is meant to indicate “how many” and do not contain fractions or decimals. While ordinal represents “rank” or “order in a set”. In addition, we must distinguish between the linguistic use of ordinal and cardinal and, the mathematical use.

Furthermore, in order to understand the reckoning concept of any given source depends on what system was used, what calendar (civil or sacred), and what year was observed. Given that the regnal terms of office were recorded in years they may or may not include a partial initial year or the partial end year. Therefore it is important to discover if possible whether the source is using regnal-year or factual-year calculation. Regnal years were calculated from the calendar new year to the end of the calendar year and often did not include partial years. Factual years calculated from the actual accession date to the anniversary of the same date a year later.

Regnal years can also be calculated from an Accession or Non-Accession year system. The accession year system is also called “postdating” because the new king’s accession year is credited towards the incumbent or expiring king’s last year. The accession year is unaccredited and uncounted with the 1st regnal year beginning on the 1st day of the new calendar year. Some ancient nations that used accession dating were Assyria, Babylon, and Persia to provide perspective.

The non-Accession year system is also called “Antedating” because the partial year left by the last king is credited to the incoming king as a full year and the 1st day of the new calendar year following his accession to the throne begins the 2nd year. Some ancient nations that used the Non-Accession system were Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The difference between Antedating or “Non-Accession” and Factual dating is the partial initial year is counted as the first year and the 2nd year begins with the 1st day of the new calendar year, while Factual dating is calculated from Accession anniversary to accession anniversary regardless of when it occurred during the calendar year.

Other concerns with dating are when the last year of the old king and the first year of the new king are both accredited to each with an actual overlap and a perceptual linear succession. Thus one year being counted twice artificially extending the timeline. Egypt is a prime example of this anomaly with the addition of long co-regencies being misunderstood and miscalculated hyperextending the chronology. In addition, there were periods of multiple kings ruling from different capitals at the same time. The sum of their reigns being inflated creating incorrect parallel connections with other nation’s histories.

Edwin R. Thiele, author of “The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings“, did a great deal to decode the Biblical reckoning systems of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Leslie McFall a British scholar and Research Fellow at Tyndale House, Cambridge helped to refine the work of Edwin Thiele in his “A Translation Guide to the Chronological Data in Kings and Chronicles”. Both Thiele and McFall have been further annotated by Jack Finegan in his influential publication, “Handbook of Biblical Chronology”.

Please keep in mind that in studying the chronology of ancient history absolute dating is not always probable as the variables are vast and subjective – Only relative dating is currently possible. However, getting closer to the reality of historical events is the purpose of research, study, and analysis. Today with computers we know that Dionysius Exiguus was about 4 years off on his calculation based on astronomical data and historical events data. However, being 529 years removed from the event of Herod’s death he was looking for... I think he did well being only 4 years off... based on the information he had at the time without the use of computers or Google. Actually quite impressive if you think about it.

Historical chronology is built with anchor points. Events dated to specific times based on the circumstantial evidence and corroborating events data. In the case of King Herod the Great, his death date in the timeline is supported by multiple anchor points which if dislodged would create many more problems in the timeline. Josephus double dates Herod’s reign providing two anchor points. First is the 34 years since executing Antigonus and then 37 years since being made king by the Romans (Ant. 17,11,4). Furthermore, Josephus synchronizes Herod’s reign with Pompey’s capture of Jerusalem in 63 BC and Augustus’ victory at Actium on September 2, 31 BC.

Josephus states: (War of the Jews, 1:33:8 (665); cf. Antiquities of the Jews 17:8:1 (191)) “So Herod, having survived the slaughter of his son (Antipater) five days, died, having reigned thirty-four years, since he had caused Antigonus to be slain, and obtained his kingdom; but thirty-seven years since he had been made king by the Romans.” Keep in mind the information provided above when doing your calculations and remember to account for partial years counted as a whole.

In order for the theories of year 3, 2, or 1 BC death of Herod to be legitimate, all of Roman and Parthian history would have to be redacted as the timing of his death is ascertained from other secular historical events outside the Bible. Further evidence of Herod executing his son Antipater is linked to a lunar eclipse reported by Josephus which occurred the night before a Jewish fast (Ant 17.6.4.) and only a few weeks before the following Passover. Some have suggested other years because they feel the eclipse is more worthy. We simply can not start with an eclipse we prefer or appreciate more and ignore the rest of the evidence. We must apply Occam’s Razor as a disciplined rule and state that if all the other evidence points to this as being true and there was a lunar eclipse in that time frame then this must be the eclipse being referred to.

Passover in 4 BC or Hebrew 3757 occurred on April 12 (Julian calendar) and April 10th (Gregorian calendar) and the lunar eclipse took place according to NASA lunar eclipse data for Jerusalem shows a partial, lunar eclipse on March 13th, 4 BC, between 1:32 am and 3:50 am (Gregorian). Passover that year fell just 4 weeks later. This was not a “solar eclipse” which many writers get confused about.

In 4 BC Augustus Caesar appointed Herod’s son Herod Archelaus to be an ethnarch rather than a king of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, while appointing Herod Antipas as tetrarch of Galilee and Herod Philip II as tetrarch (Philip the Tetrarch) of Iturea, Trachonitis, and Gaulanitis (Not to be confused with Herod II Philip1, who was married to Herodias before Herod Antipas). Herod II Philip I was the son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II the daughter of Simon Boethus the High Priest and Herod Philip II was the son of Herod the Great and his 5th wife Cleopatra of Jerusalem. Herod Philip II is who married Salome the daughter of Herodias and Herod II Philip I. This Salome was the one who danced for Herod Antipas and requested the head of John the Baptist.

For a chart of the Herodian Dynasty see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herodian_dynasty

The appointments of Herod’s sons provoked major revolts from Galilee throughout Samaria and Judea. Following Herod Archelaus’ officials ordering the death of two teachers and 40 youths people began streaming into the Temple area and those who wailed for the loss of the teachers continued their very loud mourning leading to accusations of sedition and the activities at the temple lead to an altercation with a Roman Cohort of which Josephus records the death toll at 3000 in the temple and in response Archelaus sent heralds around the city announcing the cancellation of Passover after which he fled to Rome to defend his copy of his father's will. Herod Antipas and Herod Philip II also had rival versions of the will.

In 4 BC Judas, the son of Hezekiah (a bandit) appeared in Sepphoris after Herod's death. Josephus says he wanted to be king (Ant. 17.271-272). The Roman general and Governor of Syria Quintilius Varus lead three legions to intervene resulting in over 2,000 Galileans being crucified and thousands of others taken into slavery. 4 BC is further corroborated as the year of Herod’s death by the removal of Joazar, son of Boethus as high priest and the end of the rule of Archelaus in his 10th year when he was banished to Rome and the offices of Procurator and Prefect over the Israel/Palestine were instituted in AD 6.

Also in 4 BC, Simon, a slave of Herod, was declared king by his followers. He destroyed the Jericho palace and burned down several royal properties. (Wars 2.57-59; Ant. 17.273-277)

All of these events are tightly interwoven and anchored in 4 BC (Gregorian)

Sicarii /Zealots (The uprising of AD 6)

“There was one Judas, a Galilean, of a city whose name was Gamala, who, taking with him Zadok, a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt. Both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery, and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty; as if they could procure them happiness and security for what they possessed, and an assured enjoyment of a still greater good, which was that of the honor and glory they would thereby acquire for magnanimity. They also said that God would not otherwise be assisting to them, than upon their joining with one another in such councils as might be successful, and for their own advantage; and this especially, if they would set about great exploits, and not grow weary in executing the same. So men received what they said with pleasure, and this bold attempt proceeded to a great height.” Note Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.4-6.

“Judas the Galilean was the author of the fourth branch of Jewish philosophy. These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions, but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. They also do not value dying any kinds of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man lord.” note: Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.23.

It is important to note that Judas, the son of Hezekiah was a bandit who more than likely died in 4 BC at the hands of Varus’ legions at Sepphoris and Judas the Galilean was the Sicarian author of the fourth branch of Jewish philosophy and connected with the Pharisees. I believe they were two very different men.

In AD 6 Publius Sulpicius Quirinius – the Cyreneus of Luke’s gospel and the current governor of Syria in AD 6 was directed by Augustus to inventory and liquidate the property of Archelaus. (Ant. 17.13.2; 18.1.1.-2; Wars 2.7.3.; Dio Rome 55.24.9, 55.27.6) Backdating the end of the reign of Archelaus 10 years of rule brings us to 4 BC for the death of his father Herod the Great. Please note that none of Herod's sons would have been afforded a co-regency as Herod’s will was constantly being revised and his children executed over plots to usurp the throne. Keep in mind this was at the beginning of his 10th year in AD 6 and so he only ruled 9 actual years.

Herod Philip II and Herod Antipas also are dated to beginning their reigns just before Passover in 4 BC. The birthday celebration of Herod Antipas where Salome danced for him is said by some researchers to actually be a celebration of his ascending to the throne between Purim and Passover. Meaning the birth of his reign and not his physical birth.

Aside from the Paleographic evidence, there is also Numismatic evidence. Dates on two double-dated coins minted by Judean Prefects Valerius Gratus AD 15-26 and Pontius Pilate AD 26- 36 reconcile with years of Tiberius when reckoned factually from his joint governance with Augustus in October of AD 11/12 through to Tiberius’ death in March of AD 37, and synchronize with the baptism of Jesus Christ in AD 26 (the “fifteenth year of Tiberius when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea” as recorded by Luke). Reconciliation and synchronisms are impressive. The 15th year of Tiberius would have spanned the last 4 months of AD 26 and the first 8 months of AD 27 (Gregorian retro applied). The conclusion is that the reckoning of time is from the co-regency with Augustus in AD 11 and not the full regency in AD 14.

Also, Seutonius records that Tiberius’ co-regency began in October of AD 11/12 indicating factual rather than regnal dating of AD 14.

Pontius Pilate Coins

What was Luke thinking?

What was his perception of the events and facts he wrote about? Well, Luke would not have been able to run down to vital statistics for a birth certificate or St. Mary’s Hospital in Bethlehem to look at records. So, the double-dated Gratus and Pilate coins in circulation would have provided a factual dating for Tiberius and the temple records would have provided the genealogies and information about the pedigree of Jesus of Nazareth from a Jewish standpoint.

Luke and the other biblical writers would have simply looked at the coins they carried in their pockets (or coin pouch) to find the years of Tiberius and for the audience, they were writing to; it would have been common knowledge just as today we have the perception that in 1976 we in the United States celebrated the 200th year or bicentennial of the United States. I am sure most of us can still remember the quarters and other coins that were minted commemorating the event 1776-1976 because they are still in circulation.

Factual dating also synchronizes exactly to Biblical Chronology and Daniels’s 483-year prophecy of “69 weeks” (Daniel 9:25-26) fulfilled with the baptism of Jesus Christ in AD 25/26. The decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra (Ezra 7:12-25) in 458 BC. 458 BC minus 483 years = AD 25/26.

As to the Messiah shall be cut off – Barnes’ Notes on the Bible “He does not say that this would be immediately on the termination of the sixty-two weeks, but he says that it would be “after” or Subsequent” to the close of the period.” This is my reading of this passage as well. There is no time given only subsequent events. The timing of the 70th week is known only to God the Father. We will know right after the rapture when the 70th week began. (Matthew 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

For more on Regnal versus Factual dating, you can Google the article: “Years of Tiberius” by Charles D. Davis.

So, now that we understand that factual dating is the basis of our discussion here we can move along. I think a chronological look at the events would be best to help keep us from becoming confused amidst all the data... So, we will start with the Decree of Augustus which actually happened and is preserved in stone travertine panels near the Ara Pacis in the Piazza del Popolo, Rome, and in other parts throughout the Roman empire. The text consists of a short introduction, 35 body paragraphs, and a posthumous addendum.

The Decree of Augustus

Augustus Caesar decreed the Census of the whole Roman world in 8 BC (Gregorian calendar).

Note: for brevity, only the paragraph which pertains to our discussion is provided.

From the text of Res Gestrae Divi Agusti (The deeds of The Divine Augustus) the funerary inscription of Augustus Caesar: “during my sixth term as consul (28 BC), I, along with my comrade Marcus Agrippa, commanded a census to be taken of the people. I directed a lustrum (5 year period), the first in forty-one years, in which 4,063,000 Roman citizens were counted. And once again, with imperial authority, I single handedly authorized a lustrum when the consuls of Rome were Gaius Censorinus and Gaius Asinius (8 BC) during which time 4,233,000 Roman citizens were counted. A third time, with the consular imperium, and with my son Tiberius Caesar as my colleague, I performed a lustrum in the consulship of Sextus Pompeius and Sextus Apuleius (AD. 6.) In this lustrum 4,937,000 Roman citizens were entered on the census roll.”

Res Gestae Divi Agusti 8 – The deeds of The Divine Augustus – translation from the Loeb edition 1924.

So directly from Augustus about Augustus we see there was a decree that went out from Augustus Caesar in 8 BC and a “lustrum” is a 5 year period. So over the next 5 years, he wanted the entire Roman Empire accounted for and the numbers brought to Rome. The purpose of this decree was in preparation for the silver jubilee year of Augustus coinciding with the 750th year of Rome when Augustus Caesar was honored with the Pater Patriae – the title “The Father of My Country”. This was a BIG deal for Augustus and the entire Roman world would have also been encouraged to celebrate in early 2 BC (February 2nd). The registering or enrollment of all citizens would have needed to be concluded by the end of 3 BC – the end of the 5-year lustrum.

Paulus Orosius (b. circa AD 375 d. after AD 418) wrote in his work Seven Books of History Against the Pagans that this enrollment was taken to enroll Augustus “as the first of all men” which is an apt description of the bestowal of the Pater Patriae in his 25th or “silver jubilee” year in 2 BC and when the priestly celebrations for the 750th year anniversary of Rome. The fact that Orosius equated the census with an oath of allegiance to Augustus may well indicate that he was in possession of historical records that substantiated it. Orosius was a contemporary of Saint Jerome and a student of Augustine of Hippo. His work Seven Books of History Against the Pagans was one of the main sources of information regarding antiquity that was used up to the Renaissance. His methodology greatly influenced later historians. He was a highly influential figure both for the dissemination of information and for rationalizing the study of history.

The Armenian historian Moses of Khorne wrote that the native sources he had available showed that in the second year of Abgar, king of Armenia which translates to 3 BC that “… to Armenia, bringing the image of Augustus Caesar, which they set up in every temple.” Preparations for the great celebration would have been taking place between 8 and 3 BC – much of the information which has been misunderstood is given understanding in light of the 5-year lustrum decreed by Augustus. Preparations would have been taking place all over the Roman empire at different times for the important celebration from 8 to 3 BC. In addition, the office of Censor required that the registration be carried out in 18 months.

The Hasmonean Connection Correction

From the Wikipedia article, Davidic line

“The Hasmoneans, also known as the Maccabees, established their own monarchy in Judea following their revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty. The Hasmoneans were not considered connected to the Davidic line nor to the Tribe of Judah. The Levites had always been excluded from the Israelite monarchy, so when the Maccabees assumed the throne in order to rededicate the defiled Second Temple, a cardinal rule was broken. According to scholars within Orthodox Judaism, this is considered to have contributed to their downfall and the eventual downfall of Judea; internal strife allowing for Roman occupation and the violent installation of Herod the Great as client king over the Roman province of Judea; and the subsequent destruction of the Second Temple by the future Emperor Titus.”

“During the Hasmonean period the Davidic line was largely excluded from the royal house in Judea, but some members had risen to prominence as religious and communal leaders. One of the most notable of those was Hillel the Elder, who moved to Judea from his birthplace in Babylon. His great-grandson Simeon ben Gamliel became one of the Jewish leaders during the First Jewish–Roman War.” ~Wikipedia~

Note: His father Gamliel was the tutor/ teacher of the Apostle Paul.

The Birth Of Christ

Before we begin this discussion it is important that we separate the facts from the fiction. There is a dearly held belief by many that Jesus of Nazareth was 33 and a half years old at the time of his crucifixion. Through much research, I have come to the conclusion this belief has no basis in scripture and is a clear assumption based on a misunderstanding. We simply can not start off with a presumption of age and create theology and then apply that presumption to chronology. Please keep in mind if we are to find the truth we must lay aside this presuppositional bias and look at the facts separately. Otherwise, we are looking in the wrong place and the wrong time for when Christ was actually born and the evidence will never make any sense. So, let's look at the facts...

The birth of Jesus Christ is said to have taken place before the death of Herod the Great. Herod the Great died in 4 BC – first, shortly before a Passover, (15th day of Nissan) but after a lunar eclipse of March 13th of 4 BC. Second, Josephus writes Herod reigned for 37 years from the time of his appointment in 40 BC and 34 years from his conquest of Jerusalem in 37 BC. Third, we know the rule of Herod Archelaus began in 4 BC. We know this because he was deposed by Caesar in AUC (Anno Urbis Canditae) 759 or AD 6 at the beginning of the 10th year of his reign. (Dio Cassius, Roman History 55.27.6. For Antipas, we have coins that reference his 43rd year.

Important dates:

Purim Adar II 14th & 15th, = March 11th, 4 BC Note: Adar II only happens in a leap year.

Lunar Eclipse of March 13th 4 BC = 16 Adar II 3757,

Passover (April 10th 4 BC) = 15th of Nisan, first month, the feast of unleavened bread.

There were exactly 30 days between Purim and Passover in 3757 or 4 BC.

Tertullian (Against Marcion, 4,19) said the registration of Judea was conducted and the oath would have been given during the governorship of Saturninus, who was Gaius Sentius Saturninus Consul in 19 BC and governor of Syria 9-6 BC, meaning 9,8,7 BC and leaving office at the first of the year 6 BC. There is evidence to support a January 1 changing of the Guard and Legatus Augusti usually served a 36-month term in the Imperial Provinces. In addition around the beginning of 6 BC Gaius Sentius Saturninus in concert with Tiberius Caesar, the future emperor, launched a pincer movement against the Marcomanni, a proto-Germanic people setting out to the northwest from Carnuntum on the Danube with four legions. While Saturninus departed heading east from Moguntiacum, modern-day Mainz, on the Rhine with three legions and attacked the Marcomanni from the west. The campaign was a resounding success, but the subjugation of the Marcomanni was another story. The moral of the story is you can’t be in Syria if you are marching up the Rhine in Germany.

The Infamous Quirinius

The Via Sebaste in blue

The calculation for the birth of Christ has been connected to the command of Quirinius by Luke and so it is that we must discuss this famous general.

Publius Sulpicius Quirinius (Biblical Cyrenius) was a Roman senator and in 15 BC Augustus appointed him as governor with the rank of proconsul of a province called Crete and Cyrenaica which is where he most likely obtained the honorific name Cyrenius. Then in 12 BC, he was named consul the most important office in the empire after the Emperor himself. From late 12 BC when he resigned as consul to accept the appointment of special envoy to Syria-Cilicia to around 6 BC he led a campaign against the Homonadenses, a tribe based in the mountainous region of Galatia and Cilicia. Quirinius mounted this military campaign from Syria-Cilicia. This victory culminated in 6-5 BC and enabled military roads to be constructed and garrisons to be set up in the years that followed in the Taurus Mountain region.

Sir William Ramsey wrote:

“There was found near Tibur (Tivoli) in AD 1764 a fragment of marble with part of an inscription, which is now preserved in the Lateran Museum of Christian Antiquities, as one of the most important monuments bearing on the history of Christianity. The inscription records the career and honors of a Roman official who lived in the reign of Augustus, and survived that emperor. He conquered a nation; he was rewarded with two Supplications and the Ornamenta Triumphalia, ie., the gorgeous dress of a triumphing general, with ivory scepter and chariot, etc.; he governed Asia as Proconsul; and he twice governed Syria as legatus of the divine Augustus.”

“Though the name has perished, yet these indications are sufficient to show with practical certainty (as all the highest authorities are agreed – Mommsen, Borghesi, de Rossi, Henzen, Dessau, and others), that the officer who achieved this splendid career was Publis Sulpicius Quirinius – the Cyreneus of Luke’s gospel. The difference in spelling is due to linguistics from one language to another. Luke uses the Greek hegemoneuontos tes Surias Kureniou which occurs elsewhere in his history indicating the office of procurator - (Luke 3:1; so hegemon, Acts 23:24, 26, 33; Acts 24:1, 10 and Acts 26:30 and the noun connected with it is even used (Luke 3:1) to indicate the supreme authority exercised by the reigning Emperor in the province. Luke in assigning the context for the date of Christ’s birth mentions Quirinius in preference to the regular governor of Syria”. End Quote

Sentius Saturninus was the regular governor of Syria from 9-7 BC with Quinctilius Varus governing Syria from 6-4 BC, meaning 6,5, and 4 BC. In addition, it has been said Varus was governor of Syria twice. Unless he filled the office in 3,2 and 1 BC as well where no other governor is listed I don’t see an opportunity for him to have been governor twice. With the information about the lustrum of Augustus – Quirinius may have been overseeing the census in some capacity with the regular governors taking care of the internal matters and reporting to him. Quirinius held office from Syria, had command of the armies, and was entrusted with conducting a difficult war against the Homonadenses while the internal administration was left to Sentius Saturninus or to Quinctilius Varus respectively.

Sir William Ramsey also points out that Vespasian would later be a Lieutenant of Emperor Nero in regard to Mucianus as governor of Syria. Tacitus uses the term Vespasian Dux which is not an official title but adequately describes the position in regard to the position of Mucianus. Also when Corbulo commanded armies of Syria while Ummidius Quadratus and Cestius Gallus were governors of Syria. Quirinius was the special Lieutenant of Augustus and Luke is correct in using the Greek equivalent of hegemon. Ramsey states he agrees with Bour saying it was the view of Monsieur R. S. Bour that Quirinius would have been holding this position in 7-6 BC. This extraordinary command of Quirinius lasted for at least two years and had come to an end before the death of Herod in 4 BC, for we know on the authority of Tacitus that the disturbances arising in Palestine on that event were put down by Varus – where if Quirinius had still been in office at the time he would have handled the foreign relations of the province.

Also, Quirinius was appointed Legate of Syria – while Coponius was appointed to the office of Prefect and most of the skeptics like to correctly point out that Quirinius handled this census in AD 6 in conjunction with deposing Archelaus and confronting the uprising of Judas the Galilean.

Tertullian in his work Adversus Marcionem (Against Marcion) relates the birth of Jesus Christ to a census taken under Sentius Saturninus who was governor of Syria 9-7 BC. On the surface, this appears to be a contradiction of Luke’s gospel which mentions Quirinius. However, I believe it adds support to the truth of Jesus Christ’s actual historical birth.

Sir William was right about the roads and the milestones still present to this day and possibly about the oversight about the census as AD 6 would have been more than 10 years from the census decree in 8 BC and conducted in 7 BC which was required by law for an official to hold the same office of censor.

To clarify, Quirinius was in command in Syria twice but not, in the same way, each time. The first time from 12/11 BC to 6 BC he was commanding forces in Cilicia which we now know was part of Syria beginning in 27 BC as part of The Pax Romana. Quirinius was governing in Syria-Cilicia conducting the war against the Homonadenses. Meanwhile, Sentius Saturninus was governor from Antioch Syria, and engulfed by the drama of the Herods and the execution of Herod’s two sons in 7 BC. Thus, Quirinius and Cornutus Aquila were governing the two adjoining provinces of Syria-Cilicia and Galacia around 8-6 BC when the first census was decreed and then conducted. Cornutus Aquila conducting the war from the Galacian side and Quirinius commanding from the Cilicia side from Tarsus. Saturninus was governor of Syria-Phonecia from Antioch.

Also, there were two cities named Antioch. Antioch Pisidia in Phrygia and Antioch, Syria. Understanding the dynamics provides evidence that Luke, Tertullian, and Josephus are all correct and providing valid evidence from different points of view. This evidence places the birth of Jesus Christ between the decree of Augustus in 8 BC to the culmination of the Homonadenses war in 6 BC evidenced by the inscriptions on the stone mile markers along the via Sebaste (Photo above). Many writers hold the assumption that only one writer is correct and try to argue that Luke or Josephus was wrong. There is no reason to take this position or to insult their work as in the correct perspective all the pieces fit.

It is important to state that Luke does not say Quirinius conducted the census. It simply states that Christ was born while Quirinius was Hegemon in Syria the first time. The Homonadenses war and the governorship of Syria from AD 6 to AD 12 would have been fresh in the minds of the neighboring provinces and Tertullian provides information that Christ was born when Sentius Saturninus conducted the census in Syria. Also, Quirinius was made Legate in Galatia from 5-3 BC succeeding Cornutus Aquila according to the Wikipedia list of governors of Galatia. Article Galatia (Roman province). Also according to historical records, Quirinius was awarded a Triumph and elected as Duumvir by the colony of Pisidian Antioch dated 5 BC.

Grave Info…….

However, the grave near Tibur (Tivoli) found in AD 1764 and the fragment of marble is most likely proving to be that of Quinctilius Varus as it is in his home town and not far from his estate. There would have been no connection to Quirinius as he was afforded a Public Funeral and his grave would have been located in the Campus Martius in Rome, Italy. With possibly an honorary grave marker in a cemetery near his birthplace Lanuvium, modern Lanuvio, an ancient city of Latium, some 20 miles southeast of Rome, a little southwest of the Via Appia. Info from Wikipedia.

I hold out hopes that a grave marker will be found in time. However, cremation was the standard form of burial and in AD 410, during the sack of Rome by King Alaric, the pillaging Visigoths rifled the vaults, scattered the ashes, and stole the urns. The tomb of Quirinius may be lost to history.

The Feast Of Tabernacles:

There is a growing number of scholars and historians that recognize the birth of Christ would have taken place during the Feast of Tabernacles. There are many statements in the New Testament that only make sense if you recognize when Jesus was actually born. The precise timing can be worked out from the information given about the angel Gabriel at the Altar of Incense and the information about Zachariah while serving with the course of Abijah.

Here are some interesting tidbits I have discovered while doing my research.

One very important fact to note before looking at this list is the priestly duties and what order they would serve was decided by lot, meaning they were divided by lot according to 1 Chronicles chapter 24 where it is documented that the scribe wrote them down before King David and the princes, and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech. Each course by their appointed time.

During my research, there is one thing that has kept grabbing my attention while studying the evidence provided in the scriptures for the birth of Jesus Christ and that is the repetitive nature of the phrase “at the appointed time”. So I did some more digging and discovered that the Jewish Festivals are called “appointed times”. This concept begins all the way back when the Lord told Sarah she would conceive. Genesis 18:14 “is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

The following chart shows the order of service for each course and the meaning of the name which I found very interesting.

In Leviticus 23:2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, the Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations – my appointed times are these…and it goes into all the festivals. All the way through scripture the phrases appointed time, due time, and set time are used over and over. The Greek word kairos meaning “set time” appears 88 times.

Habakkuk 2:3 …appointed time.

Daniel 8:19 …appointed time.

Zacharias performed his priestly service at the appointed time as part of the course of Abia (old testament – Abijah) during the latter part of the 4th month of Tamuz. At the appointed time Elizabeth conceives in the first part of the 5th month of Av during the 9th course of Jeshua. Mary conceives the 10th month Tevet during the 19th course of Pethahiah and goes and stays with Elizabeth for 3 months until John is born in the 1st month Nisan at Passover. Jesus was born 6 months later in the 7th month of Tishri during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Elizabeth conceives The 9th course of Jeshua or Jesus. From the Hebrew, Yeshua means “He will save” or salvation – this is the same name as Joshua and Jesus. Elizabeth hides herself until she completes 5 months. So, at the beginning of Elizabeth’s six months of pregnancy, Mary conceives…

Mary conceives – The 19th-course Pethahiah. (Strongs 6611 Pethachyah) means “Jah has opened”. God wants us to know he did this. Yahweh opened her womb. Jah or Yah is a short form of Yahweh, the name of God. This short form of the name occurs 50 times in the text of the Hebrew Bible, of which 24 times form part of the phrase Hallelujah.

Mary travels from Nazareth to Hebron about 81 miles. By foot 4-5 days, riding by caravan or wagon 3 days the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. The 10th month of Tevet and celebrates Hanukkah. Jesus is called the light of the world and Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights.

John is born in the 2nd-course Jedaiah. Hebrew Yedayah means “Jah has known” or “Yahweh has known”.

Jesus is born during the 14th course of Jeshebeab. The name Jeshebeab means “dwelling of the father”. Now if the Holy Spirit did not leap within you – you might want to check yourself - because Jesus Christ was the dwelling of the father. John 14:9 Jesus answered: Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the father. How can you say, Show us the Father? John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on my own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in me, carrying out his work…

Prophesy:

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Fulfillment:

Mathew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Do you believe in the Bible codes? Well, let’s break it down and place the meaning of the names in their chronological order - (Salvation / Jehovah favored / Jah has opened / Jah has known / dwelling of the Father / He will save.) Wow! I think that could preach! Now I’m not advocating going out and starting a new religion, but I do think the meaning of the names provides support to the evidence that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles. When you see that Jah has opened when Jesus was conceived and dwelling of the Father when he was born is the message of the gospels it all becomes clear. Plus if you try to match up any of the other courses for a different time it does not make any sense.

In the Jewish Torah, the biblical festivals as mentioned before are called “appointed times” and John the Baptist was said to have come in the role and spirit of Elijah. Jewish tradition continues the belief that Elijah will appear at Passover to announce the coming of the Messiah and even today Jewish homes set a place at the Passover Seder table for Elijah. Mathew 11:14 Jesus states, “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let him hear.”

John the Baptist would have been born near or at Passover and 6 months from Passover is the Feast of Tabernacles. The word translated as stable is actually sukkah or booth. This makes sense if you understand Joseph and Mary made their trip to Bethlehem during a time of pilgrimage for the Festival of Sukkot. This also explains the overcrowding of the Inn which would have had a sukkah available.

The narrative of Luke 2:41-52 concerning the boy Jesus at the temple shows us that it was the custom of Mary and Joseph to go up to the festivals in the company of relatives and friends. The company was large enough that neither Joseph nor Mary realized that Jesus was not in the company. They really would have been in a caravan and possibly wagons were used which would explain why they did not see him. Likewise, during the nativity, it is good to realize they would not have been out late at night alone on a donkey 9 months pregnant.

It is interesting to note that the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles is the 15th of Tishri and in 3755 equals October 6th, 7 BC (Gregorian). In 7 BC there were three very rare conjunctions and the second occurred on October 6th. It is worth noting that Jesus of Nazareth is considered to be the second person of the Trinity. For more on this topic about the conjunctions see an article by Simo Parpola https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/we-have-seen-his-star-in-the-east-what-was-the-christmas-star/.

It is also important to understand the calculation of the information given from the meeting of Herod the Great and the Parthian Magi. It is stated Herod ordered the innocents slain 2 years and under. Herod died at the beginning of 4 BC. Backtrack 2 years for when they calculated his birth and you have the beginning of 6 BC. October 6th, 7 BC is less than 3 months from the beginning of 6 BC. Keep in mind Saturninus was out of town hiking in Germany with his buddy Tiberius around the beginning of 6 BC.

The Eighth Day

It is also very interesting to note that Tabernacles is an 8-day feast and Jesus would have been circumcised on the 8th day literally as the last day of the feast of Tabernacles is called the eighth day or the beginning of Shemini Atzeret. Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Note: Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." The word - fulfill means – bring to completion or reality; achieve or realize (something desired, promised, or predicted). Jesus became the physical reality of the appointed times. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the 4 spring feasts: His death (Passover), His burial (Feast of Unleavened Bread), His resurrection (Feast of First-fruits), and His outpouring of the Holy Ghost (Pentecost). His birth fulfilled the Feast of Tabernacles and the 8th day.

Simeon and Anna at the Temple

The Sacrificial offering Mary made is proof the Magi had not shown up yet by the 40th day when the infant was presented at the temple. For it was written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male born shall be consecrated to the Lord. And a sacrifice of two turtle doves shall be offered.” This was the offering of the poor.

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation Luke chapter 2

From biblehub.com/nkjv/luke/2.htm

25And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word;

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33[h]And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Note: Some writers have identified this Simeon with Shimon ben Hillel.

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer

36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Note: It is important to mention Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn son, in obedience to the Torah (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12–15, etc.) Leviticus 12:1–4 indicates that this event should take place forty days after birth for a male child. Due to the rules regarding the redemption of the firstborn this event would not have taken place if Jesus was not the firstborn child. This record is proof that Jesus’ siblings were all younger and the theory they were from an earlier marriage of Joseph is in error as he was supposed the son of Joseph. Luke 3:23

The Family Returns to Nazareth

39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Many writers seem confused in regard to the chronology and where Jesus was at the time of the Magi visit. Let us review the chain of events given by scripture. Jesus is born, circumcised on the eight-day, consecrated on the 40th day at the temple in Jerusalem, Simeon and Anna bless Jesus, Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth, The Magi visit follow the star to where he was and warned in a dream leave out another way, Joseph warned in a dream takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt, Massacre of the Innocents, Herod The Great dies, Joseph and Mary return from Egypt with the child Jesus to Nazareth.

In the story of Herod and the Magi, we have to follow the story closely. Matthew chapter 2: 7-12, “7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

Herod sent them to Bethlehem, but lo they followed the star to where the young child “was”. We know that after the 40-day consecration Joseph took Mary and Jesus back to Nazareth. They were only in Bethlehem for a short time to enroll in the census and celebrate Sukkot. When it was time to go to the temple and consecrate Jesus to God they stopped by the temple on the way home.

The Magi And The Parthian Connection

The almost complete absence of the Parthian Empire from the Nativity accounts could be a Roman influence of later times. However, the relationship between the Jewish people of Judea and the Parthian Empire was one preferred to that of Rome. Every Judean would have understood what was meant by the term Magi.

The identification of the Magi in the account of Christ’s birth from Matthew chapter 2 requires us to encapsulate important historical data and provide some perspective. Starting from the times of the prophet Daniel about 620–538 B.C. in the 6th century the destiny of the Persian people and the Jewish nation had been intimately interlaced. There is a good probability that Jewish and Median relations had helped to realize the fall of Babylon and gained for Cyrus the Persian undisputed domination of the ancient world. Persian gratitude and policy toward the Jewish people were overwhelmingly supportive in the following centuries.

Additionally, following the domination by the Seleucids through Alexander’s conquests in time both peoples had regained their liberty. The Jews gained autonomy under Maccabean rule, and the Persians emerged as the dominant ruling group within the Parthian empire. It was at this time that the Magi, in their dual priestly and governmental office, composed the upper house of the council of the Megistanes whose duties included the absolute choice and election of the king of the realm and the kings of vassal states. It was, therefore, a group of Persian-Parthian kingmakers who entered Jerusalem in the latter days of the reign of Herod the Great and anointed Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. Herod’s reaction was understandably one of fear when one considers the background of Roman and Parthian rivalry that prevailed during his lifetime.

At the time of the birth of Christ 7 b.c., Herod was aging paranoid and most likely dealing with his illness having had two of his sons executed. Pro-Parthian Armenia was fomenting revolt against Rome. In 4 BC Phraates IV seized Armenia with the help of Armenian nationalists and expelled Tigranes IV.

With Armenia being a little over 800 miles from Judea it is not clear if the two events were in concert. However, the sudden appearance in Jerusalem of the Magi, traveling in force with all imaginable Arsacid pomp, and accompanied by adequate cavalry escort of approximately 10,000 per magi to insure their safe penetration of Roman territory, certainly would have alarmed Herod and all of Jerusalem with him, as is recorded by Matthew. Their request of Herod regarding him who “has been born king of the Jews” (Matt 2:2), was a slap in the face of Herod who had bribed and contrived his way into that position. The threat of an authentic heir of King David’s line had great political implications for Herod. The Magi “being warned in a dream”, a form of communication most acceptable to them, “departed to their own country” (Matthew 2:12).

Shortly after the Parthian king Phraates IV had appointed his son Phraates V (nicknamed Phraataces, "little Phraates") as successor, Phraates IV was killed (2 BCE) poisoned by his wife and new successor. A war with Rome was in the air in Armenia, but the Roman emperor Augustus sent his grandson and intended successor Gaius Caesar to the east for negotiations. Among the officers that escorted him were Sulpicius Quirinius, the historian Velleius Paterculus, Marcus Lollius, and Sejanus, the future praetorian prefect. In 1 CE, the Roman prince and the new Arsacid king of the Parthian Empire met on an island in the Euphrates. Velleius Paterculus wrote:

“It was my fortunate lot to see this spectacle of the Roman army arrayed on one side, the Parthian on the other [...] - truly a notable and a memorable sight. First the Parthian dined with Gaius upon the Roman bank, and later Gaius supped with the king on the soil of the enemy.”

It is worthy to note that Gaius Caesar and Phaates V were about the same age perhaps only being no more than a year apart with Phraates V being the junior and his mother Musa being an Italian woman who was given to his father Phraates IV in 20 BC by Augustus.

The Murder of the innocent Boys:

Macrobius Ambrosius Theodosius (ca. AD 400) was one of the last pagan writers in Rome. In his book titled Saturnalia, he wrote: “When it was heard that, as part of the slaughter of boys up to two years old, Herod, King of the Jews, had ordered his own son to be killed, he (Emperor Augustus) remarked, “It is better to be Herod’s pig than his son” (2.4.11; cited in Brown 1993:226). If he was speaking of the death of Antipater in 4 BC, the slaughter of boys would have been one of the last brutal killings he did before he died as Antipater was executed 5 days before the death of Herod the Great.

The Prophesy of Daniel

We must also keep in mind Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah used the Jewish civil calendar beginning in Tishri 1 for regnal years. While Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, and Zachariah used the Jewish sacred calendar beginning Nisan 1. This is important in calculating and corroborating prophesies.

According to Luke 3:1 John the Baptist began his ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar's reign. Tiberius was appointed as co-regent with Augustus in AD 11/12, and 15 years later would be AD 26. Jesus began his ministry shortly after at “about” thirty years old (Luke 3:23). This gives us a basis upon which we can say approximately Jesus began his public ministry around AD 26 to 27 AD… Due to this mention, people assume about means almost. However, if a new guy starts at work and someone asks how old he is and you say about thirty and then you go to him and inquire and he says 32 you say oh, okay, and “about thirty” would still be considered accurate and right.

If we use https://planetcalc.com and plug in our dates of Thursday, October 6th, 7 BC and Friday, April 5th, AD 30 we get 12,965 days which translates to 35 years 5 months, and 30 days.

Postulated Chronology:

Jesus born October 6th, 7 BC/ 15th of Tishri 3755 First day Feast of Tabernacles

Jesus circumcised the eighth day 22nd Tishri 3755 The 8th day of Feast of Tabernacles

Jesus consecrated the 40th day 25th Heshvan 3755 or November 15th Gregorian calendar. Counting 40 days from October 6th to November 15th. Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth.

Magi arrive around 2 years between the dates of October 6th 5 BC and lunar eclipse on March 13th, 4 BC which equals 158 days or 5 months and 7 days. The window of time is about 5 months.

Massacre of the Innocents took place between the arrival of the Magi and before Passover of 4 BC.

Joseph warned in a dream takes Mary and Jesus to Egypt. A third Jewish Temple stood at Leontopolis (Heliopolis/ Biblical On) existed for 243 years (c. 170 BC-AD 73) known as the Temple or House of Onias. Heliopolis has since merged with present-day Cairo as an affluent district of the city. It is probable Joseph would have fled either to this community or the Jewish community near Alexandria.

Herod The Great dies between Purim and Passover 4 BC, only 5 days after having his son Antipater II executed. This is according to Josephus.

The synopsis of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, once you have put all the pieces of the puzzle together, is the reality of humanity’s ability to totally miss the point and think only materially. While everyone has been looking for a physical king with a physical kingdom Jesus kept telling them my kingdom is not of this world. My kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. You can not say look here or there it is over there.

I hope I have provided some information to think about and with the evidence provided realize that scripture does tell us when the messiah was born.

For the death of Jesus Christ please see my article; The Last Passover with Jesus https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/timeline-last-passover-jesus-jordan-blake-michiels/

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