Modern scholars have calculated that Jesus was likely born between 4 and 6 BC, meaning He, the Son of God, was born during the 21st to 23rd year of Augustus Caesar’s reign, who was also called Divi filius, meaning “son of a god.” While AD 1 was originally intended to mark the birth of Jesus, a discrepancy arose due to a miscalculation by Dionysius Exiguus, the 6th-century monk who created the AD/BC dating system (see below for dating prior). As a result, although the calendar places AD 1 as the year of Christ’s birth, historical evidence suggests that Jesus was born a few years earlier, in what we now refer to as the final years of BC.

It’s important to note that there is no year AD 0 in our calendar system; it transitions directly from 1 BC to AD 1. AD stands for anno Domini, meaning “in the year of our Lord.”

Evidence for Jesus’s Birth Between 6 BC and 4 BC:

1. King Herod’s Death (4 BC):
   • Historical records show that King Herod the Great died in 4 BC. Since the Gospel of Matthew states that Jesus was born during Herod’s reign, Jesus must have been born before 4 BC.
2. Astronomical Events (6-5 BC):
   • Some scholars point to a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7-6 BC as the “Star of Bethlehem” mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. This supports a birth around that time.
3. Census of Quirinius:
   • The Gospel of Luke mentions a census ordered by Caesar Augustus, conducted when Quirinius was governor of Syria. While a well-known census took place in AD 6, there is some debate about whether there was an earlier one closer to 6 BC.
4. Jesus’s Age at Baptism:
   • According to Luke 3:23, Jesus was “about 30 years old” when He began His public ministry. If Jesus started His ministry around AD 27-29, this would place His birth around 6-4 BC.

Discrepancies and Debates:

Herod’s Death: 4 BC or 1 BC?

• There is a debate regarding the exact year of Herod’s death, which affects the calculation of Jesus’s birth. The traditional view places Herod’s death in 4 BC, supported by a lunar eclipse mentioned by Josephus. This date has prevailed because it aligns with historical records about Herod’s sons’ reigns and the Jewish fast that occurred shortly before Passover.
• However, some scholars, like John A. Cramer, argue that Herod may have died in 1 BC, based on another lunar eclipse in December 29, 1 BC, which fits better with other historical details. This alternative theory pushes the birth of Jesus to around 2 or 3 BC rather than the traditionally accepted 4-6 BC range.
• This debate complicates the dating of Jesus’s birth, as both 4 BC and 1 BC have valid arguments based on Josephus’s writings and astronomical events.

Crucifixion Dates:

Two main dates for the Crucifixion have been proposed, corresponding to the 16th and 19th years of Tiberius’s reign:

1. April 7, AD 30:
   • Supported by scholars who believe Jesus began His public ministry around AD 27 and was crucified after about three years of ministry.
   • It aligns with historical accounts of Pontius Pilate’s time as governor of Judea (AD 26–36) and certain Jewish festivals.
2. April 3, AD 33:
   • Preferred by some scholars due to astronomical data about lunar eclipses (there was a partial lunar eclipse on this date, possibly linking to the Gospel accounts of darkness during the Crucifixion).
   • This date also fits with the timeline of Jesus’s public ministry lasting about three years, possibly beginning around AD 29 or AD 30.

Possible Ages of Jesus at His Death:

Given that Jesus is believed to have been born between 4 BC and 6 BC, and the two likely dates for the Crucifixion are AD 30 and AD 33, we can estimate His possible age at the time of His death:

If Jesus Was Born in 6 BC:

• Crucifixion in AD 30:
  • Age: 36 years.
• Crucifixion in AD 33:
  • Age: 39 years.

If Jesus Was Born in 4 BC:

• Crucifixion in AD 30:
  • Age: 34 years.
• Crucifixion in AD 33:
  • Age: 37 years.

If Jesus Was Born Closer to 1 BC (Alternative View):

• Crucifixion in AD 30:
  • Age: 27–29 years.
• Crucifixion in AD 33:
  • Age: 30–32 years.

Summary of Possible Age Ranges:

• Based on the traditional view, Jesus could have been between 34 and 39 years old at the time of His death, depending on the exact year of His birth and the Crucifixion date.
• If the alternative theory of 1 BC for Herod’s death is correct, Jesus would have been younger, between 27 and 32 years old.

Pre-sixth Century Dating

Before the AD/BC system was introduced in the 6th century by Dionysius Exiguus, various systems of dating were used across different cultures and regions. Here are some of the key dating systems that were in use:

1. Roman Calendar (Ab Urbe Condita – AUC):

The Romans often dated events from the founding of the city of Rome, traditionally set at 753 BC. This system, known as Ab Urbe Condita (AUC), meaning “from the founding of the city,” was commonly used in Roman historical records. For instance, the year 1 AD in our modern calendar corresponds to AUC 754. Roman historians and scholars like Livy frequently used this system to mark important events, such as the rise of Augustus or significant battles in Roman history.

2. Regnal Years:

Many ancient cultures, including those of Rome, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, used regnal years to date events. A year might be referred to by the number of years into a ruler’s reign, such as the 10th year of Augustus’s reign or the 5th year of King David’s reign. Each new ruler’s accession would reset the count. This system was highly localized and often used for administrative records, legal documents, and historical accounts. In Egypt, the pharaohs were central to this method, and it continued in some form even into medieval Europe with monarchs.

3. Olympiads (Greek System):

The ancient Greeks dated events based on the Olympiad cycle, which lasted four years. The first Olympiad was recorded in 776 BC, marking the first Olympic Games. Historical events in ancient Greece were often dated by stating the Olympiad and the specific year within that cycle (e.g., “In the third year of the 4th Olympiad”). This system was widely used in the Greek world to maintain a consistent timeline for athletic, political, and historical events. The Olympiads remained an important reference point for centuries in Hellenistic and Roman times.

4. Seleucid Era (Syrian and Jewish Use):

The Seleucid Era, established after the division of Alexander the Great’s empire, began in 312 BC. It was commonly used in the eastern Mediterranean, especially in Syria, Mesopotamia, and among Jews in certain regions. This calendar became influential in the Hellenistic world and was sometimes referred to as the “Era of Contracts” by Jewish communities. The Seleucid calendar was used for centuries and even coexisted with other systems, such as the Roman calendar, in various regions.

5. Anno Mundi (Jewish Calendar):

The Jewish calendar calculated years from the supposed creation of the world, a system known as Anno Mundi (AM), meaning “Year of the World.” Based on calculations from the Hebrew Bible, this calendar placed the date of creation around 3761 BC. The Jewish Anno Mundi system remains integral to the Hebrew calendar, which is still used for religious observances today. In ancient and medieval Jewish history, this system was used alongside other local systems, such as the Seleucid Era, particularly in religious contexts.

6. Egyptian Calendar:

The Egyptians used one of the earliest known solar calendars, based on a year of 365 days. The year was divided into 12 months of 30 days each, with an additional 5 days at the end of the year. Egyptians also dated events according to the regnal years of their pharaohs, making the pharaoh’s reign central to both administrative and religious life. This system played a crucial role in the development of later calendars, including the Julian calendar adopted by the Romans.

7. Christian Era (Regnal and Paschal Cycles):

In early Christian traditions, events were often dated using the regnal years of Roman emperors or local rulers, reflecting the continuation of the Roman system. Another important method was the use of Paschal cycles, the cycles used to calculate the date of Easter each year. Early Christian writings, such as those from Eusebius or at church councils, frequently referenced these systems. For example, events might be referred to by the number of years since the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) or the year of Emperor Diocletian’s reign. The use of regnal years persisted well into the medieval period in both Western and Eastern Christendom.

8. Old Slavic Calendar (Slavic Era):

The Old Slavic calendar followed a similar Anno Mundi concept, dating events from the creation of the world. The Slavic calendar placed the year of creation at 5508 BC, which closely mirrors the Byzantine dating system. This calendar was used in regions like Kievan Rus and Eastern Europe, particularly under the influence of the Byzantine Empire. The Old Slavic calendar was prominent in these regions from 691 to 1728, when Peter the Great introduced the Julian calendar to bring Russian timekeeping in line with Western Europe. The Slavic calendar often appeared in legal and religious texts and played a significant role in maintaining a unified timeline within the Orthodox Christian and Slavic worlds.

In summary, before the AD/BC system became widespread, dates were primarily reckoned by local rulers’ reigns, the founding of cities, or other significant eras like the Olympiad cycles or the Seleucid Era. The AD/BC system gradually replaced these older systems in Western Christian contexts, starting in the 6th century.