How Long Did It Take For Jesus To Die On The Cross

How Long Was Jesus on the Cross?

Anyone who is familiar with the Easter story recognizes that Jesus’ death on the cross was a terrible event for a variety of reasons, including his humanity. There are few things that can be said about the crucifixion that do not make you cringe at the physical and mental suffering that Jesus went through, let alone witnessing it in person through a Passion Play or film such as “The Passion of the Christ.” Although we are familiar with the events surrounding Jesus’ death on the crucifixion, we may not fully comprehend the length of time Jesus was forced to suffer the agony and humiliation of the cross.

We can, however, discover the solution by investigating the Easter tale through the lens of numerous stories in the Gospels.

on a wooden beam and then hanged on a cross for three hours: 22They took Jesus to a spot known as Golgotha (which literally translates as “the place of the skull”).

24And then they nailed him to the cross.

• 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they nailed Jesus on the cross.
• And the temple’s curtain was split in two by the earthquake.
• When he had finished speaking, he took his last breath.
• As a result, Jesus was crucified for almost 6 hours.
• According to historical records, it was customary for victims of Roman crucifixions to remain on their crosses for two or three days before succumbing to their injuries and dying.
• So, what caused Jesus to die in such a short period of time, only six hours?
• One hypothesis is that Jesus was subjected to a tremendous amount of suffering and abuse at the hands of the Roman soldiers before being nailed on the cross of Calvary.
• What ever the circumstance may be, we must never forget that nothing was taken away from Jesus on the cross.

All He did was offer His life consciously and freely so that everyone might have an equal shot at experiencing forgiveness from the consequences of their sins and spending an eternity with God in paradise. This is the gospel’s message to the world.

Why Jesus Died So Quickly on the Cross

The “Swoon Theory” is one of the most prominent non-Christian theories for the Resurrection, and it is one of the most widely accepted. After all, if Jesus didn’t truly die on the cross, His supposed “resurrection” is nothing more than a miraculous “resuscitation.” Those who question Jesus’ death sometimes refer to the short period of time he spent on the cross prior to dying as a source of skepticism. Death for crucifixion victims often occurred gradually as a result of their suffering, exposure to the elements, and a lack of food or drink.

• Even Jesus’ early death is described as an anomaly in the Biblical account of his life.
• As a result, “the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then the legs of the other” to ensure they died before the Sabbath began (John 19:31-34).
• Is it possible to be certain he died at all?
• As we go through the events leading up to the crucifixion, we begin to understand why Jesus died so fast on the cross: They smacked him in the head with a rock.
• This was not the case for every person who died as a result of crucifixion.
• A police officer hit Jesus because he refused to respond to the high priest in the manner that had been expected of him: The Gospel of John 18:21-22 “Can you tell me why you are questioning Me?
• A continuation of the physical assault of Jesus was permitted because of His claims of Deity.
• In response to Jesus’ assertions, His captors treated him even more severely, torturing and ridiculing Him both verbally and physically.
• He was beaten and humiliated.

In reality, Pilate found nothing worthy of execution and made an unsuccessful attempt to satisfy the enraged Jewish throng by having Jesus severely scourged: He went out to the Jews once again and told them, “I see no blame in Him.” John 18:38-40, 19:1, 4-6 But you have a tradition that I release someone for you at Passover; do you want me to release the King of the Jews for you instead?” As a result, they called out once more, this time screaming, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a thief on the streets.

1. When Pilate found out who Jesus was, he scourged Him.
2. “Look, here’s the Man!” Pilate said to them.
3. He told them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I see no wrongdoing in Him.” Pilate was a Roman senator.
4. The severity and extent of Jesus’ scourging were most likely harsh enough to appeal to the demands of the assembled throng.
5. In the ancient world, a scourge (also known as a “flagrum”) was a multi-stranded whip or lash with bits and pieces of stone or bone embedded in the points of the strands.
6. Given Pilate’s eagerness to placate the Jewish mob that had gathered to demand Jesus’ death, he subjected Jesus to a violent beating that came just short of a death sentence.
7. It was a reed that they used to beat him in the head.

It was then that they smeared a crown of thorns on his head and thrashed Him with a reed: Matthew 27:30 (KJV) And after weaving a crown of thorns for His head, they placed a reed in His right hand, and they prostrated themselves before Him and ridiculed Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!

They coerced him into carrying his cross on his back.

Given the circumstances, it was evident that He would be unable to complete the assignment.

They nailed Him on a cross.

His journey to the cross, on the other hand, was quite different from theirs.

And after taking their seats, they proceeded to keep watch on Him in that location.

Because of his one-of-a-kind pre-crucifixion experience, Jesus died far more swiftly than the previous crucifixion victims.

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The circulatory shock and heart failure that would have occurred in anyone who had been beaten as hard as Jesus had been in the hours leading up to his crucifixion were very certain to occur in such a short period of time.

Because of his one-of-a-kind pre-crucifixion experience, Jesus died far more swiftly than the previous crucifixion victims.

The fact that Jesus died on the cross and was actually risen rather than resuscitated gives us reason to be confident in his resurrection.

This book teaches readers the ten principles of cold-case investigations and then applies these principles to the claims of the gospel authors in order to investigate them.

J.

Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adjunct Professor ofChristian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and founder of the Case Makers Academy for children.

Originally from New York City, he now lives in Los Angeles. Sign up for J. Warner’s Daily Email Updates.

How long was Jesus on the cross?

The “Swoon Theory” is one of the most popular non-Christian explanations for the Resurrection, and it is one of the most widely held. After all, if Jesus didn’t really die on the cross, His supposed “resurrection” is nothing more than a remarkable “resuscitation.” When people question Jesus’ death, they frequently point to the short period of time he spent on the cross prior to his death as evidence. Death for crucifixion victims usually occurred gradually as a result of their suffering, exposure to the elements, and a lack of food or water.

1. Indeed, Jesus’ early death is described as an exception in the Biblical account.
2. As a result, “the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then the legs of the other” to ensure they died before the Sabbath began to be observed (John 19:31-34).
3. Is it possible to be certain he died?
4. As we go through the events leading up to the crucifixion, we can begin to understand why Jesus died so quickly on the cross.
5. Keep in mind that Jesus was crucified by the Jewish authorities, who had abused Him in the days leading up to His death.
6. Physical abuse was present from the beginning of Jesus’ treatment.

” Anyone who has heard what I said should be questioned; they are aware of what I said.” One of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus in the face, asking, “Is that how you respond to the high priest?” (Is that how you respond to the high priest?) It was as if they slapped him in the face and beat him with their fists.

• Obviously, not every prisoner made such bold statements.
• A few people began to spit at Him, blindfold Him, and punch Him in the face with their fists while shouting “Prophecy!” at Him.
• he was scourged by his captors Once again, an unusual turn of events occurred when Pontius Pilate received Jesus from the Jewish rulers and appeared to be troubled by the fact that Jesus had been sentenced to be crucified.
• You have a custom, however, that I release someone for you at Passover; would you like me to release the King of the Jews for you instead?” Consequently, they cried out once more, this time claiming that it was Barabbas who was the culprit.
• When Pilate found out who Jesus was, he scourged him.
• Jesus then emerged from the tomb, his head crowned with thorns and his robe of purple.
• So when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify, crucify!” as they surrounded Him with their weapons.

The severity and extent of Jesus’ scourging were most likely severe enough to appeal to the desires of the people in the audience.

It was common practice for the Romans to whip or lash their opponents with a multi-stranded whip or lash that contained bits and pieces of stone or bone in the lash tips.

With the goal of appeasing the Jewish mob calling for Jesus’ death in mind, Pilate subjected Jesus to brutal beatings that came just short of being executed.

It was a reed that they used to beat him in the face.

It was then that they smeared a crown of thorns on his head and beat Him with a reed.

And they spat on Him, and then they took the reed and began to beat Him on the back of the neck.

In spite of the fact that Jesus was in critical condition, the Roman soldiers insisted that He carry His cross to the place of crucifixion regardless of his health.

The following is the result of Simon of Cyrene being pressed into service to assist Jesus in bearing the cross: 32nd verse of Matthew 27 And as they were leaving, they came across a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to carry His cross for them.

Afterwards, Jesus was nailed to the cross with the two criminals.

These factors, which were specific to Jesus’ identity and assertions, drove his pre-crucifixion beatings: 32nd verse of Matthew 27 As soon as they had nailed Him to the cross, they divided up His garments among themselves by drawing lots.

It was written above His head, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS,” that the charge against Him was leveled.

Therefore, his death is reasonable and expected to occur shortly after his arrival.

Prior to His crucifixion, Jesus was subjected to a severe and one-of-a-kind beating.

As a result, the evidence of John’s observations related to water pouring from Jesus’ side after he was stabbed by the soldier (John 19:31-34) is consistent with this form of death.

Therefore, his death is reasonable and expected to occur shortly after his arrival.

You can learn more about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity in the book Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels if you read it in its entirety.

There’s also an eight-sessionCold Case Christianity DVD Set (with participant’s guide) that goes along with the book to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make their case.

Warner Wallace is interviewed about Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adjunct Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and founder of the Case Makers Academy for children.

Originally from New York City, he now lives in Southern California. Sign up for J. Warner’s Daily Email Updates

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How long was Jesus on the cross?

QuestionAnswer Jesus was nailed on the cross for almost six hours. “He was ridiculed by the top priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.” The critics pointed out that he had saved others, but that he was unable to save himself! He’s the king of Israel, after all! Allow him to come down from the cross at this time, and we will believe in him. He places his faith in God. ‘Let God rescue him now, if he so desires, for he has declared himself to be the Son of God,'” Matthew 27:41–43. The crucifixion was a way of carrying out the death punishment in the ancient Roman Empire for people judged guilty of a deadly charge.

• In order to destroy Jesus and keep their authority, the Jewish theocrats planned a strategy to persuade Roman authorities that Jesus had to be slain, which they executed (Mark 14:1; cf.
• The Jewish authorities accused Christ of inciting revolt and establishing Himself as King, charges that he denied and denied again.
• Crucifixion was intended not just to kill, but also to deter others from engaging in illegal activity.
• The cross had a stigma attached to it, and Jewish law stated that it was a curse (Galatians 3:13; 5:11).
• Following their nailing to a cross, some persons may be able to survive for several days afterward, depending on the circumstances.
• The Jewish calendar is used by Matthew, Mark, and Luke to keep track of time.
• In accordance with Jewish tradition, Mark writes, “They crucified him and divided his clothing among themselves, casting lots for them to choose what each should receive.” When they crucified Jesus, it was the third hour, according to Mark 15:24–25 (New International Version).

Matthew, who also used the Jewish method of timekeeping, states that “from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, there was darkness over all the country” (Matthew 6:6-9).

That is, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 P.M., there was complete darkness.

Then, at the conclusion of that period, “after Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he surrendered his spirit” (Matthew 27:50).

For a total of six hours, Jesus had been hanging on the cross, beginning at roughly 9:00 a.m.

The Gospel of John includes the information that Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate was taking place at “around the sixth hour,” according to Roman time (John 19:14, ESV).

As a result, using the Roman system, “around the sixth hour” equals approximately 6:00 a.m.

Then, according to the Jewish calendar, “the third hour” is 9:00 a.m.

“the sixth hour” is equivalent to 12:00 p.m.

The night has come.

Jesus is put to death.

Putting everything together, Jesus’ trial came to a close about 6:00 a.m. Approximately three hours later, his crucifixion began, and He died approximately six hours after that. Questions regarding Jesus Christ (return to top of page) What was the length of Jesus’ time on the cross?

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How Many Hours Did Jesus Suffer on the Cross?

Generally speaking, it is believed that Jesus endured on the Cross for three hours before to His death. Although this assertion is incorrect, it is also predicated on the assumption that the testimony of the synoptic Gospels (St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke) contradicts the testimony of St. John’s Gospel. Ultimately, the goal of this article is to determine what is causing the confusion about the length of time that Jesus suffered on the Cross, to determine the actual length of time that our Lord suffered on the Cross, and to resolve the issue by demonstrating that there is no contradiction between the testimonies of St.

• It appears that there is a conflict between the Gospel of St.
• John over the date on which Jesus was crucified, which is the basis of the uncertainty.
• Mark 15:25 expressly specifies that Jesus was crucified at the “third hour,” which corresponds to 9:00 a.m.
• Saint John’s Gospel claims that Jesus was on trial and turned over to be executed at the “sixth hour,” which would be noon if St.
• As a result, because St.
• Mark 15:33-37, and St.
• John 19:14 from the Gospel of St.
• However, according to the Gospels of St.
• Mark 15:33, and St.
• For example, how is it possible that the Gospel of St.
• It appears that the synoptic Gospels are in accord on the specifics of the Crucifixion in this passage:

1. When Jesus was crucified, the world went dark during the “third hour” (9:00 AM) — St.Mark 15:25
2. When Jesus was hanging on the Cross, the world went dark during the “sixth hour” (12:00 PM) — St.Matthew 27:45
3. When Jesus died on the Cross, the world went dark during the “ninth hour” — St.Matthew 27:46-50, St.Mark 15:33-37, and St.Luk

While the Gospel of St. John appears to be at odds with the synoptic Gospels in the following ways: It was the sixth hour of the day of preparation for the Passover, and it was the day of preparation for the Passover. “Behold your King!” he said to the assembled Jews. They chanted, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” they screamed out. “Do you want me to crucify your King?” Pilate inquired of them. As a response, the leading priests said, “We have no sovereign save Caesar.” Then he gave him over to them, who crucified him on the cross.

He carried his own cross to this location.

That is where he and two others were crucified alongside him with Jesus sandwiched in the middle between the two. 14-18 (St. John 19:14-18) (RSV) As a result, the assertion that Jesus suffered on the Cross for three hours must be taken to imply three things:

1. Concerning the time of the events surrounding the Crucifixion, the evidence of the synoptic Gospels is at odds with the witness of John’s gospel. The Gospel of John provides accurate information about the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, but the synoptic Gospels provide inaccurate information. The synoptic Gospels are right regarding the date of Jesus’ death, despite the fact that they were incorrect about the day of His crucifixion and the date on which the world went black.

These three fundamental assumptions, on the other hand, are extremely troublesome since the Catholic Church holds that Sacred Scripture is without error. “Since, therefore, all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as being affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, desired to be confided to the Sacred Scriptures,” states paragraph 107 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).

• John cannot be reconciled with the testimony of the synoptic Gospels, including the specifics of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
• John’s witness and the testimony of the synoptic Gospels, assuming they cannot be in contradiction?
• What if St.
• What if St.
• As a result, if the synoptic Gospels are referring to Jewish time and the Gospel of John is referring to Roman time, the Gospel stories are completely consistent.

1. St.John 19:14states that Jesus is still on trial and is turned over for crucifixion during the “sixth hour” Roman time (6:00 AM), i.e., He begins bearing His Cross
2. St.Mark 15:25states that Jesus was crucified during the “third hour” Jewish time (6:00 AM) (9:00 AM). There are three hours between the conclusion of Jesus’ trial and the time He is actually nailed to the Cross
3. St. Matthew 27:45, St. Mark 15:33, and St. Luke 23:44state that the world turned dark during the “sixth hour” Jewish time (12:00 PM)
4. St. Matthew 27:46-50, St. Mark 15:33-37, and St. Luke 23:44-46state that Jesus gave His life during the “ninth hour” Jewish time (3:00 PM)
5. St

With this perspective, we can clearly see that there is no conflict between the Gospel of St. John and the synoptic Gospels, and as a result, this interpretation sustains the inerrancy of Sacred Scripture, which the Church recognizes in CCC 107. Please study the following chart, which depicts the approximate link between Jewish time and Roman time, and always remember that the Gospel of St. John refers to Roman time, whilst the synoptic Gospels relate to Jewish time: Hours and Watches, for a better understanding of this.

” Recognition of these truths exposes something quite intriguing!

However, the manner in which we count hours and days differs from the manner in which the people of Jesus’ day numbered hours and days.

A counting series, on the other hand, always began with the number one. So, what precisely does that imply and imply? The distinction is as follows:

1. Modern counting is as follows: 9:00 AM equals 0 hours
2. 10:00 AM equals 1 hour
3. 11:00 AM equals 2 hours
4. 12:00 PM equals 3 hours
5. 1:00 PM equals 4 hours
6. 2:00 PM equals 5 hours
7. 3:00 PM equals 6 hours.

1. For example, if you are counting during the time of Jesus, 9:00 AM is one hour, 10:00 AM is two hours, 11:00 AM is three hours, 12:00 PM is four hours, 1:00 PM is five hours, 2:00 PM is six hours, and 3:00 PM is seven hours.

“The History of Zero:How was zero discovered?” by Nils-Bertil Wallin provides further information on the origin of the zero placeholder. Jesus’ suffering on the Cross lasted seven hours, according to the Gospel writers and their intended audience, which is a considerable amount of time in history. Why? The reason for this is because Jesus simultaneously fulfilled the Old Covenant while also transforming it into a new covenant, and the Old Covenant was comprised of seven agreements between God and man.

1. Isn’t it fascinating how God works in mysterious ways?!
2. When the Gospel stories are read in their correct context, this knowledge is gained.
3. Jason Hull is a musician from the United Kingdom.
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When Did Jesus Die? The Year, Day & Time

There has been much speculation concerning the day and year of Christ’s crucifixion and death, owing to the absence of clear day-to-day linkage in the stories of the four Gospels. We know that Jesus died on Preparation Day because it is mentioned in each of the four Gospel narratives. But was it a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday when that happened? In addition, what hour did Jesus die? There has even been discussion over the year in which he passed away. To figure out the day of Jesus’ death on the cross, we must piece together the evidence from his four Gospels and our understanding of his historical period and cultural context.

Cultural Information to Keep in Mind

It is difficult to determine the exact day and year of Christ’s crucifixion and death since there is no clear day-to-day link in the Gospel narratives of his life. We know that Jesus died on Preparation Day because each of the four Gospel narratives tells us so. But, was it a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday when this happened, or something else? In addition, what hour did Jesus pass away. There is even debate as to the year in which he passed away. To figure out the day of Jesus’ death on the cross, we must piece together the evidence from his four Gospels and our understanding of his historical period and cultural context.

What the Gospels Say about Jesus’ Burial

The Gospel of Matthew contains the most detailed account of Jesus’ death and burial (Matthew 27:31-62). In this tale, we learn about Joseph, a wealthy man from Arimathea “who had himself become a follower of Jesus,” according to one piece (Matthew 27:57 b). In Matthew 27:58-61, it is said that Joseph approached Pilate and begged for permission to bury Jesus’ body. “The next day, the day after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate,” we are told in Matthew 27:62. Joseph followed out this plan on Preparation Day.

In the Jewish calendar, it was Preparation Day (i.e., the day before the Sabbath).” (Matthew 15:42 a.) … Consequently, Joseph purchased some linen material, brought the corpse down from the casket, wrapped it in the linen, and buried it in a tomb dug into the rock.

Jesus died on the Day of Preparation, as confirmed by Luke and John: “Then he carried it down, wrapped it in linen fabric, and buried it in a tomb cut into the rock, in which no one had yet been lain.” As it happened, it was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin” (Luke 23:54).

As it happened, they placed Jesus there since it was the Jewish day of Preparation and because the tomb was close by (John 19:42).

What Day Did Jesus Die? Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?

Over the years, academics have developed a variety of hypotheses about what occurred during the days of the week preceding up to Jesus’ death on the cross. These versions each offer a different day for Christ’s death, such as Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

• Wednesday The fact that Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday permits for Him to have been buried for three full days and nights
• Nevertheless, this also means that He resurrected on the fourth day. Furthermore, the Triumphal Entry would have taken place on Saturday, the day of Sabbath rest
• Instead, it took place on Thursday. With a Thursday crucifixion, the Triumphal Entry is moved to Sunday, which makes more sense and removes the necessity for a “quiet day” (a day during thePassion Weekwhen no events were recorded). On the other hand, we know that the Pharisees hurried to put Jesus in the tomb on The Day of Preparation (John 19:34-42), which is Friday, and before the Sabbath began at nightfall (the Jews timed days from the beginning of the nightfall to the beginning of the nightfall). Upon closer examination of the facts, we find that Friday is the most consistent with the Gospel narratives and the historical context. According to the New Testament, Jesus rose from the grave on the third day—not necessarily after three complete, literal days—and was buried on the third day (e.g.,Matthew 16:21
• Acts 10:40). As previously stated, Jesus had to be hustled inside the tomb on the day of preparation because of the crowds. In contrast to a Friday crucifixion, which would demand a “quiet day” (most likely Wednesday), this day gives the Sanhedrin the opportunity to make plans for Jesus’s arrest and following trials. As a result, the day is just “quiet” since we haven’t documented anything significant

What Time Did Jesus Die?

According to Matthew Henry’s interpretation, Jesus was nailed to the crucifixion between the third and sixth hours, which corresponds between nine and twelve o’clock in the morning. After then, he died shortly after the ninth hour, which was sometime between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. Commensurate with the aforementioned practice, the Jews throughout the time of Christ measured days from dusk to nightfall. The Matthew 27:46 KJV, which is the “ninth hour,” can be translated into the Matthew 27:46 NIV, which is the “three o’clock in the afternoon,” according to Bible experts.

Timing of Jesus Death in Mark, Luke, and John

• Jesus was nailed on the cross between the third and sixth hour, which corresponds to nine o’clock and twelve o’clock, as Matthew Henry writes in his commentary. That is to say, between three and four o’clock in the afternoon, shortly after the ninth hour, he passed away. It has already been revealed that the Jews at the time of Christ timed days from dusk to nightfall, but there is more to it than that. The Matthew 27:46 KJV, which is the “ninth hour,” may be translated into the Matthew 27:46 NIV, which is “three o’clock in the afternoon,” by Bible experts.

What Year Did Jesus Die?

During this video, Doug Bookman, a New Testament professor at Shepherds Theological Seminary, shows why biblical academics have reached an agreement about the year Jesus died. “It all boils down to this. Pilate served as prefect of Judea and Samaria from 26 A.D. to 36 A.D., according to the evidence we have. So that’s our view out the window. The following question is: On what day of the week did Passover occur during the year that Jesus died? In the opinion of the majority, it occurred on Thursday or Friday.

Given all of this, the vast majority of researchers will agree that it leads to one of two conclusions: ” Theory 1: Jesus died about the year 30 A.D.

“At this point, the argument becomes pretty technical,” says Bookman of the situation.

I am convinced that the year 33 A.D.

3 Significant Events Shortly After Jesus’ Death

Matthew 27:51-54, Matthew 27:51-54 As a result of this, the temple’s curtain was split in half, from top to bottom. The ground trembled, the rocks cracked, and the tombs burst into flames. Many pious persons who had died were brought back to life by the power of the Holy Spirit. They emerged from the graves following Jesus’ resurrection and proceeded to the holy city, where they appeared to a large number of people. They were startled and cried, “Surely he was the Son of God!” when the centurion and others with him who were guarding Jesus witnessed the earthquake and everything that had transpired.

• The temple curtain had been ripped in half.
• We know from the laws of the Old Testament that entering God’s presence was a severe matter.
• The fact that this curtain was destroyed represented the completion of Jesus Christ’s accomplished work on the cross, which eliminated the barrier between sinful humans and holy God by becoming the ultimate High Priest and the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all people.
• 2.
• John Gill’s remark on the event states that “this was a demonstration of Christ’s authority over death and the tomb.” When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his death, he demonstrated that he had destroyed both the power of death and the permanence of the grave.
• In addition to its grandiose claims, this event is noteworthy because it is a narrative predicting Christ’s second coming to collect the remainder of his people.
• 3.

Jesus is brought back to life from the dead. This text in Matthew glosses over such a remarkable occurrence, but Christ’s resurrection is told in greater detail in Matthew 28, which is the gospel of Matthew (as well as inMark 16,Luke 24, andJohn 20). Photograph courtesy of Joshua Earle via Unsplash.

How many hours was Jesus on the cross?

The Romans devised the crucifixion as a method of execution in order to murder, torment, and humiliate their victims. Some victims died after being nailed to a cross for several days. Jesus was crucified for around six hours before he was killed. The Romans began each day’s hours at the stroke of midnight. According to the Roman calendar, Jesus’ trial began about the sixth hour, or 6 a.m., according to the gospel of John (John 19:14). Every day begins at 6 a.m., according to the Jewish calendar, which the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke follow.

• From the sixth hour to the ninth hour, or from midday to 3 p.m., according to Matthew, the day changed to nightfall (Matthew 27:45).
• A Roman soldier poked a spear into Jesus’ side to determine whether or not He was indeed dead, and He was thereafter brought down from the cross (John 19:34–38).
• to approximately 3 p.m., Jesus was hanging on the cross.
• What day of the week did Jesus die on the cross?
• What are some of the reasons why I should believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
• Return to the page: The Truth About Jesus Christ.

April 3, AD 33: Why We Believe We Can Know the Exact Date Jesus Died

In our book, The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived, Justin Taylor and I make an educated guess as to the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, but we do not argue for or against it. For a variety of factors, virtually all academics think that Jesus was executed in the spring of either AD 30 or AD 33, with the majority preferring the former. As a result of the astronomical data, the alternatives are reduced to AD 27, 30, 33, or 34). However, we would want to present our case for the date of Friday, April 3, AD 33, as the precise day on which Christ died in our place as atonement for our sins.

However, this does not rule out the possibility of understanding or importance.

No one makes this argument more forcefully than Luke, the Gentile physician who became a historian and inspired recorder of early Christianity.

The Year John the Baptist’s Ministry Began

In Luke’s account, John the Baptist began his public ministry soon before Jesus did, and the author provides us with a historical reference point for when the Baptist’s ministry began: “in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign.” (See Luke 3:16). It is known from ancient Roman history that Tiberius succeeded Augustus as emperor on August 19, AD 14 and was approved by the Roman Senate on the same day. He reigned until the year AD 37. “The fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign” appears to be a straightforward date, but there are some ambiguities, beginning with when one begins the calculation.

Most likely, Tiberius’ reign was measured from the day he assumed office in AD 14 or from the first day of January of the following year, AD 15 (whichever came first).

When Tiberius’ “fifteenth year” began, it might have begun as early as August 19, AD 28, and it may have finished as late as December 31, AD 29, depending on the date of his death. So John the Baptist’s ministry began anywhere between the middle of AD 28 and the beginning of AD 29.

The Year Jesus’s Ministry Began

Because the Gospels appear to suggest that Jesus began his ministry not long after John, the most likely date for Jesus’ baptism would be late in AD 28 at the absolute earliest, according to the calculations above. Nevertheless, it seems more likely that it occurred somewhere around the first half of the year AD 29, because a few months had probably gone between the beginning of John’s career and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (and the year AD 30 is the latest possible date). As a result, Jesus’ career must have began somewhere between the end of AD 28 and the beginning of AD 30 at the earliest.

The most plausible dates for Jesus’ birth are 6 or 5 BC, which means he would have been roughly thirty-two to thirty-four years old in late AD 28 to early AD 30.

The Length of Jesus’s Ministry

To determine how long Jesus’ public ministry lasted, we must first determine how long Jesus’ public ministry lasted. If Jesus’ public ministry lasted two or more years, it appears that the spring of AD 30 cannot be considered as a plausible date for the crucifixion. The Gospel of John records that Jesus attended at least three (perhaps four) Passovers, which were held once a year in the spring and were as follows:

• In Jerusalem, at the beginning of his public ministry (John 2:13–23)
• In Galilee, during the midpoint of his public career (John 6:4)
• And in Bethlehem, at the end of his public ministry (John 6:4). In Jerusalem, at the conclusion of his public ministry, that is, at the time of his crucifixion (John 11:55
• 12:1), there was a final Passover celebration. And it’s possible that Jesus attended another Passover that wasn’t reported in the Gospel of John, but was documented in one or more of the Synoptic Gospels (i.e., Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

This would make a date of a.d. 30 all but impossible as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, even if there were only three Passovers in all. As previously stated, the earliest possible date for the beginning of Jesus’ career, according to Luke 3:1, is late in the first century AD. The first of these Passovers (which occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry; John 2:13) would happen on Nisan 15 in the year 29 (since Nisan is in March/April, around the beginning of a year), which would be the first of these Passovers in the year 29.

If Jesus’ ministry corresponded with at least three Passovers, and if the first Passover occurred in AD 29, this suggests that he could not have been executed in ad 30, as previously thought.

The Passovers in the book of John would thus take place on the following dates:

Nisan 15	AD 30	John 2:13
Nisan 15	AD 31	Either the unnamed feast in John 5:1 or else a Passover that John does not mention (but that may be implied in the Synoptics)
Nisan 15	AD 32	John 6:4
Nisan 15	AD 33	John 11:55, the Passover at which Jesus was crucified

Jesus Was Crucified on the Day of Preparation for the Passover

This would make a date of a.d. 30 all but impossible as the date of Jesus’ crucifixion, even if there were only three Passovers observed. Based on Luke 3:1, the earliest possible date for the beginning of Jesus’ career is late in the first century AD. The first of these Passovers (which occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ career; John 2:13) would fall on Nisan 15 in the year 29 (since Nisan is in March/April, around the beginning of a year), making it the first Passover in the year 29. A.D. 30 would be the earliest possible date for the second event, while a.D.

If Jesus’ ministry corresponded with at least three Passovers, and if the first Passover occurred in AD 29, then suggests that he could not have been executed in ad 30, as is often believed today.

Assuming, however, that John the Baptist began his career in AD 29, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus began his mission in late AD 29 or early ad 30. Then the Passovers in the book of John would take place on the dates listed below.

April 2	Nissan 14	Thursday (Wednesday nightfall to Thursday nightfall)	Day of Passover preparation	Last Supper
April 3	Nissan 15	Friday (Thursday nightfall to Friday nightfall)	Passover; Feast of Unleavened Bread, begins	Crucifixion
April 4	Nissan 16	Saturday (Friday nightfall to Saturday nightfall)	Sabbath
April 5	Nissan 17	Sunday (Saturday nightfall to Sunday nightfall)	First day of the week	Resurrection

Conclusion

The computations in the preceding section may look difficult, but in a nutshell, the reasoning goes as follows:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION	YEAR
Beginning of Tiberius’s reign	AD 14
Fifteenth year of Tiberius’s reign:Beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry	AD 28
A few months later:Beginning of Jesus’s ministry	AD 29
Minimum three-year duration of Jesus’ ministry:Most likely date of Jesus’s crucifixion	AD 33 (April 3)

While this is, in our opinion, the most plausible scenario, it should be noted that many people think Jesus was killed in the year AD 30, rather than the year AD 33, as we have said. If, on the other hand, the beginning of Tiberius’ rule is set at the year AD 14, it becomes nearly difficult to fit fifteen years of Tiberius’ reign and three years of Jesus’ ministry between AD 14 and AD 30, as is the case. As a result, some have speculated that Tiberius and Augustus shared co-regency (combined rule) during the last few years of Augustus’ reign.

As a result, we believe that Jesus was most likely crucified on April 3, AD 33, as previously stated.

Because of this, when we celebrate Easter and walk with Jesus every day of the year, we may be certain that our faith is founded not just on subjective personal confidence, but also on solid historical evidence, which makes our faith a perfectly rational faith.

Crossway’s executive vice president and publisher for books, Justin Taylor, holds this position.

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While this is, in our opinion, the most plausible scenario, it should be noted that many people think Jesus was executed in the year AD 30, rather than the year AD 33, as we have suggested. Assuming, as some have, that the beginning of Tiberius’ rule occurred in the year AD 14, it becomes extremely hard to fit fifteen years of the Tiberian dynasty and three years of Jesus’ mission between AD 14 and AD 30. Consequently, during the last few years of Augustus’ reign, some have speculated about a co-regency (shared rule) between Tiberius and Augustus.

Our conclusion is that Jesus was most likely killed on April 3, AD 33, according to historical evidence.

As we celebrate Easter, and as we walk with Jesus every day of the year, we may be certain that our faith is founded not just on subjective personal confidence, but also on verifiable historical facts, which demonstrates that our faith is an eminently rational conviction.

Co-authored with Andreas Köstenberger, the book The Final Days of Jesus: The Most Important Week of the Most Important Person Who Ever Lived explores the final days of Jesus, the most important person who ever lived (Crossway, 2014).