I assume by now that you don’t believe Jesus was born in the transition from B.C. (before Christ) to A.D. (anno Domini – “in the year of our Lord”). First of all, there is no year 0. Second, it just doesn’t match historical records. Let’s look at the reigns of emperors, kings, and tetrarchs (governors) around the time of Jesus’ life. We’ll do so primarily by matching Scripture with what the majority believe are the dates that these men served in leadership.
You might need to read this twice to grasp the various names and dates. Keep in mind that I’m painting with a large brush, and that there is not a consensus on certain dates. This is a blog post, not a scholarly work. I’m just trying to give you some food for thought.
The Birth of Jesus
Caesar Augustus (at right) was Roman emperor from 31 B.C. to A.D. 14. It was he who had issued a decree calling for a census while (or, possibly meaning “before”) Quirinius was governor of Syria (Luke 2:1). There is much disagreement over whether or not Quirinius had two terms in office: 6–4 B.C. and the much more well-known A.D. 6–9. It appears in Acts 5:37 that Luke refers to a second census associated with the latter dates.
Regardless, a census prompted Joseph to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem to register his family. Jesus was born during this visit to the “town of David”, and the infamous visit from the shepherds also occurred during this time.
Let’s look at another leader’s rule. Herod the Great was king of Judea, Galilee, and the surrounding areas from 37 to 4 B.C. He is mentioned in Luke 1:5, but also repeatedly in Matthew 2:1-19 as the one who sent the Magi to find Jesus. After the Magi avoided returning to Herod, the king had all of the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem killed. It seems that Jesus was born before Herod died in 4 B.C.—possibly as far back as 6 B.C., since two-year-olds were targeted.
However, the historian Josephus recorded that King Herod died between a lunar eclipse and Passover. There was one in 4 B.C., but there were also two in 1 B.C. If the latter is the true date, then Jesus could have been born between 3 and 1 B.C.
Regardless of the scenario, after King Herod died (Matthew 2:19), one of his sons, Archelaus, was tetrarch of a smaller portion of his father’s rule from 4 B.C. to A.D. 6. It was sometime during this window that Joseph led Mary and Jesus back from Egypt to settle in the region of Galilee in the town of Nazareth (verses 22-23).
Conclusion: Jesus was probably born either in the window of 6–4 B.C. or 3–1 B.C.
Jesus’ Ministry
Tiberius (at right) was Roman emperor from A.D. 14 to 37. However, he was co-regent with Caesar Augustus from A.D. 11/12 to 14 (until Caesar’s death). Luke 3:1 states that John the Baptist’s ministry began in the 15th year of Tiberius’ rule (either A.D. 26/27 or A.D. 29, depending on which start date Luke had in mind). During that year, John baptized Jesus, and the Messiah’s ministry commenced thereafter.
In Luke 3:23, we are told that Jesus was “about thirty years old when he began his ministry”. This is phrased in such a way that Jesus probably wasn’t literally 30—he could have been older. With this in mind, I would lean towards A.D. 26 being the 15th year of Tiberius according to Luke’s record, as this also fits into a 4 B.C. or earlier birth. Keep in mind that there are many who lean towards the latter date of A.D. 29, and there is compelling evidence supporting this date as well.
Tradition states that Jesus’ earthly ministry was three and a half years long, but it can’t be clearly determined. We know that Jesus experienced at least three Passovers during His ministry (John 2:13, 6:4, and 11:55), and all of the places He visited required many days of walking.
Conclusion: Jesus’ ministry likely took place somewhere between A.D. 26 and 33.
Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
Herod Antipas was another son of King Herod and tetrarch of Galilee from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He is the one who had John the Baptist beheaded (Luke 9:9). Pontius Pilate was tetrarch of Judea from A.D. 26-36. He is well known from a Biblical perspective for his trial of Jesus (Matthew 27:11-26). Both are mentioned as part of the trial in Luke 23. From these dates alone, we know that Jesus died before A.D. 36.
The vast majority of historians, scholars, and self-proclaimed experts believe the death, resurrection, and ascension occurred in either A.D. 30 or 33. Also regarding this same timeframe, the prophecy in Daniel 9 about when the “Anointed One will be put to death” is a fascinating study. I wrote a summary here.
Conclusion: Jesus’ ministry probably concluded in either A.D. 30 or 33.
I don’t claim to have this all figured out, nor can I get everything clearly and cleanly resolved. Why does this topic of dating Jesus’ life interest me? For this reason and this reason. No matter the uncertainty, I have complete peace that God the Father sent His Son to save the world, and that includes me. For this I am eternally grateful.