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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

With Christmas approaching, I thought it might be fun to deal with a subject that most people think they know—but few really do. Let’s answer the question: When was Jesus born?

The dating of Jesus’ birth is more complex than simply placing it in A.D. 1, the year established by the monk Dionysius in the 6th Century. Dionysius calculated Jesus’ birth as the 753rd year of the Roman Empire, leading to the designation of A.D. 1. However, subsequent scholarship indicates he made errors; Jesus was born several years earlier. In fact, Scripture argues for a date between 5 and 6 B.C.

First, Luke notes that a census occurred when Quirinius was governor of Syria in 8 B.C. This census took a few years to implement across the entire region; meaning Jesus was born after this decree but before the death of King Herod in 4 B.C. Thus, Jesus had to be born between 8 B.C. and 4 B.C.

Second, scholars have also examined the timelines related to Jesus’ ministry and crucifixion to verify, as Luke records, that Jesus began His ministry in A.D. 26, at about 30 years of age. Given that His ministry likely lasted around three years, His death is estimated to have occurred around A.D. 29-30. This would place Jesus’ birth between 5 and 6 B.C., consistent with prior calculations.

Despite the popular belief that Jesus was 33 at His death, this was an assumption based on the estimated length of His ministry. Scripture does not explicitly state His age at death, allowing for a range that could align with the scholarly estimates.

Moreover, other scholars, like Dr. Harold Hoehner and authors Andreas Köstenberger and Justin Taylor, support the claim that Jesus was born between 4 and 6 B.C. They suggest that His age at death could range from 35 to 36 years.

In summary, while not all scholars agree on the exact year of Jesus’ birth, there is substantial evidence supporting the idea that He was born between 4 and 6 B.C. This conclusion is reinforced by both Scriptural references and external historical sources, such as writings from Josephus and Tacitus. Understanding these historical contexts enriches our comprehension of the New Testament and affirms the historicity of Jesus’ life and the Christian Gospel, which remains significant in an increasingly skeptical world.

Grace and peace, y’all! Soli Deo Gloria