Sejanus, Pilate and the dating of the Crucifixion

[Erik Nelson]

Gates in the Bible: Gates of Jerusalem, Part 3: The Sheep Gate -- By Sue Ramsey and Lyn Chaffart

Calvary - Wikipedia

Golgotha may have been a "top-of-the skull cranium shaped hill" over-looking the Sheep Gate into Jerusalem and the Temple. Pilate may have sought to crucify three zealots, on Passover, just outside of and in full view of the Temple, on the road along which Holy sacrifices were to be transported, so as to profane & desecrate the Temple & Passover celebration.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Please recall, that Emperor Constantine's mother, Helena, pilgrimaged to Jerusalem to search for the True Cross at the site of the Crucifixion, in 327-28AD.

Assuming that the Empress was sojourning on or about the 300th anniversary of Jesus' ministry & the Crucifixion would favor the 26-29AD Ministry & 29AD Crucifixion.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Please recall, that Emperor Constantine's mother, Helena, pilgrimaged to Jerusalem to search for the True Cross at the site of the Crucifixion, in 327-28AD.

Assuming that the Empress was sojourning on or about the 300th anniversary of Jesus' ministry & the Crucifixion would favor the 26-29AD Ministry & 29AD Crucifixion.

I see no reason to conclude Helena headed to Palestine on account of a 300 year anniversary.
Her son, the Emperor Constantine I, had just recently defeated Licinius and taken over the eastern half of the Empire, in 324.
As such, they were in the right place already, and Constantine likely allowed his mother to go on pilgrimage as a part statement of power in those areas. The reason for those dates is simply that this was when the Persian threat was neglible enough, the provinces peaceful enough, and that they were generally in the Eastern half of the Empire. Remember, Constantine's power base was actually the West, as his father Constantius Chlorus had been Caesar under Maximian and the Augustus himself there. Constantine was declared Emperor at Eburacum and his power was always based on Gaul and Hispania, gradually conquering the rest. This is partially why he built a new Eastern capital, to be close to rich areas that had recently belonged to his rivals.

Edit: Unless you mean it is the 300th anniversary because she discovered the True Cross? That she was unaware of this? This requires faith in the legitimacy of Helena's True Cross itself though, and extrapolating from there.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Sabbatical cycle ?

37/36
30/29
23/22 => 22/21BC Jubilee year [ Herod the Great starts renovating the Temple ? ]
16/15
9/8
2/1BC
6/7AD [ census of Quirinius ? ]
13/14
20/21
27/28 => 28/29AD Jubilee year
34/35
41/42
48/49
55/56
62/63
69/70
76/77 => 77/78AD Jubilee year

---

According to Wikipedia:

Jerome quotes the non-canonical Gospel of the Hebrews: "'Now the Lord, after he had given his grave clothes to the servant of the priest, appeared to James, for James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the Lord's cup until he should see him risen from the dead.' And a little further on the Lord says, 'bring a table and bread.' And immediately it is added, 'He took bread and blessed and broke and gave it to James the Just and said to him, "My brother, eat your bread, for the Son of Man is risen from the dead."' And so he ruled the church of Jerusalem thirty years, that is, until the seventh year of Nero."​

If Nero's 2nd year = 55/56AD, then his 7th year = 60/61... Most scholars date the martyrdom of James the Just to spring 62AD. Perhaps Jerome implies that James was in prison from 61/62AD???

Plausibly, Jerome is speaking in round numbers, much as James' "brother" Jesus was acknowledged to be "30 years old" at the start of his ministry. However, accepting "30 years":

61/62 - 30 = 31/32 AD = Acts 12 (Peter chooses James to succeed him as Bishop of Jerusalem?)

Although some say James the Just was always Bishop of Jerusalem, "the heart of the Church" perhaps one could say, whereas Peter was always the roving "head of the Church" on behalf of Christ?

Moreover, Daniel 9 says that the Messiah will be cut off in the middle of a seven year cycle. 27/28AD + 3.5 years = 30/31AD or so. And it would make sense that Jesus was born in a Sabbatical year 2/1BC (i.e. either Dec 2BC or perhaps January 1BC).

All of this would support a ~30AD date of the Crucifixion, consistent with the 4 April 30AD lunar eclipse date.

 

[Albion]

AD31 and AD33 are more likely.

BTW, Scripture does not describe Jesus as being 30 years old. The Jews said of him that he was not yet 50 years old, so he could have been significantly older than you are thinking.

 

[Erik Nelson]

@Erik Nelson I tracked down the text of your Nature article.

They determined when the crescent of the new moon would be seen in March/April in Jerusalem during the time of Pontius Pilate to determine a likely start for the month of Nisan. They then determined the dates when 14/15 Nisan would coincide with a friday: 11th April 27 AD, 7th April 30 AD, 3rd April 33 AD, 23rd April 34 AD. They note the observational nature of the calendar and also that intercalary months were added to hedge their answer.The article notes the impossibility of retroactively assigning first century dates by modern calculations, but suggests these as plausible candidates.

What they then do, is show that a partial Lunar eclipse occurred on 3 April 33 AD in Jerusalem. The article then appeals to Peter's quotation of the prophet Joel at Pentecost, that the moon would turn to blood. They argue the moon would be just above the horison and would therefore have appeared blood red. Based on this, they determine this to be the date of the Crucifixion. It is an interesting article, but their argument rests mostly on the eclipse.

If you accept that something darkened the skies for hours during the Crucifixion, then perhaps that event also reddened the Passover full moon ?

Alternatively, the reference to "dark sun & blood moon" echoes Matt 24:29 and parallel passages talking about the Prophesied Apocalyptic Judgement of Jerusalem in 70 AD (cp. Matt 24:32, "this generation shall not pass away until all these things come to pass"). So, perhaps Peter was quoting Joel to wake people up, and show them where it was all leading... they were witnessing the first part of Joel then and there, with the Inspired ability to profess God's glory in other human languages... with the implied warning that the rest was still to come?

If so, then the "dark sun & blood moon" was then still in the future, and implies nothing about the events of the Crucifixion.

 

[Erik Nelson]

When was Jesus born?

Appears that Jesus was born around Dec 7 BC / Jan 6 BC. Now, Jesus was "about 30 years old" at his Baptism (Luke 3:23), implying a date of around 25 AD. And, then, after that, Jesus' first Passover (John 2) occurred in the 46th year of renovations of the Temple, which began about 20 BC, so implying 27 AD. Pilate first arrived in Judaea in 26 AD.

So, I offer that the "anti-Semite" Sejanus sent Pilate to Judaea exactly precisely at the beginning of Jesus' Earthly Ministry...

I offer that Sejanus heard about the Messianic movement of John the Baptist and, fearing a militant uprising, sent Pilate straight in, in 26 AD, to quell Jewish Messianic aspirations:

John the Baptist appears to have been interested not in ritual purity but in recapitulating the crossings of the Red Sea and the Jordan, which were far more political and prophetic acts... He was on the shores of the Jordan River, inviting those who repented to enter the waters once again, as their ancestors had done, not in order to enter the promised land, but to enter into the kingdom of God and the rule of the coming Messiah (NIV 1st Century Study Bible)​

There appears to be a preponderance of evidence for an "early chronology", with Jesus born around modern Christmas time in Dec 7 BC / Jan 6 BC, Jesus baptized in about 25 AD, and His ministry spanning about 26-27-28 AD, with the Crucifixion in about 28 AD, very early in Pilate's reign, when, having the favor of Sejanus, Pilate was still aggressively suppressing the Jews, crucifying several of them on their own Passover celebration, specifically to "rebut" the militant Messianic pretenses of many of those baptized by John.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

When was Jesus born?

Appears that Jesus was born around Dec 7 BC / Jan 6 BC. Now, Jesus was "about 30 years old" at his Baptism (Luke 3:23), implying a date of around 25 AD. And, then, after that, Jesus' first Passover (John 2) occurred in the 46th year of renovations of the Temple, which began about 20 BC, so implying 27 AD. Pilate first arrived in Judaea in 26 AD.

So, I offer that the "anti-Semite" Sejanus sent Pilate to Judaea exactly precisely at the beginning of Jesus' Earthly Ministry...

I offer that Sejanus heard about the Messianic movement of John the Baptist and, fearing a militant uprising, sent Pilate straight in, in 26 AD, to quell Jewish Messianic aspirations:

John the Baptist appears to have been interested not in ritual purity but in recapitulating the crossings of the Red Sea and the Jordan, which were far more political and prophetic acts... He was on the shores of the Jordan River, inviting those who repented to enter the waters once again, as their ancestors had done, not in order to enter the promised land, but to enter into the kingdom of God and the rule of the coming Messiah (NIV 1st Century Study Bible)​

There appears to be a preponderance of evidence for an "early chronology", with Jesus born around modern Christmas time in Dec 7 BC / Jan 6 BC, Jesus baptized in about 25 AD, and His ministry spanning about 26-27-28 AD, with the Crucifixion in about 28 AD, very early in Pilate's reign, when, having the favor of Sejanus, Pilate was still aggressively suppressing the Jews, crucifying several of them on their own Passover celebration, specifically to "rebut" the militant Messianic pretenses of many of those baptized by John.

You can certainly argue Sejanus sent Pilate to quell Jewish messianism. I don't see on what grounds an earlier ministry of John the Baptist could be argued, but we just don't have enough information to really say when he was active.

It doesn't solve the problem of why Pilate was so lenient to Jesus though, wanting to release him. Unless he thought Jesus would be a peaceful messiah to draw support from more belligerent ones? It presupposes more knowledge of Judaism than I think we can reasonably expect Roman officials to have. Interesting perspective though.

Also, the birthdate of Jesus is a very difficult proposition itself.

 

[Erik Nelson]

You can certainly argue Sejanus sent Pilate to quell Jewish messianism. I don't see on what grounds an earlier ministry of John the Baptist could be argued, but we just don't have enough information to really say when he was active.

It doesn't solve the problem of why Pilate was so lenient to Jesus though, wanting to release him. Unless he thought Jesus would be a peaceful messiah to draw support from more belligerent ones? It presupposes more knowledge of Judaism than I think we can reasonably expect Roman officials to have. Interesting perspective though.

Also, the birthdate of Jesus is a very difficult proposition itself.

Please read my arguments in the link to the other thread. I think "Christmas time 7 BC" synchronizes perfectly with Josephus. The Holy Family stayed in Bethlehem for 2 years between the birth of Jesus in Dec 7 BC / Jan 6 BC in the manger, and Magi visiting their house on the eve of the Massacre of Innocents in early 4 BC. Then Jesus was 30 in 25 AD at the start of John the Baptist's ministry, which alerted the Romans, who sent in Pilate in 26 AD, in the 46th year of renovations. This timeline even gives me St. Helena visiting Jerusalem and uncovering the Holy Cross in 328 AD on the tri-centennial of the Crucifixion itself.

 

[Albion]

It is clear, from Scripture, that Jesus' public ministry began in 27 or 29 because those are the only dates that square with the time being the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius. The AD 25 date is too early.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Star of Bethlehem was visible for two years...

subtle enough that very few people noticed it...

but obvious enough for accomplished astrologers and star gazers...

if it was a natural phenomenon, then it sounds least unlike a very long lived super nova event, or perhaps some sort of stellar pulsation

but it may not have been a brief planetary conjunction, nor a brief but bright comet

Indeed, some supernovae stay bright for up to two years

We may need to rewrite everything we know about how stars evolve | WIRED UK

 

[Erik Nelson]

Chronology of the Jubilee-Cycle
Jesus used the "Daniel countdown clock" to know when he would be "cut off" and Crucified
so the crucifixion was either a seventh Sabbatical year, possibly a 7x7 jubilee year, or maybe the next year after one, "after the 69th 7 the messiah will be cut off and have nothing"
so either 29 or 30ad

 

[Erik Nelson]

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org...e/jesus-historical-jesus/jesus-before-pilate/


Pilate’s dedication to promoting Roman religion in Judea is reflected in the coins he struck during his tenure. The mintages produced between 29 and 31 C.E. bore pagan symbols in the form of sacred vessels of the sort encountered in other parts of the Roman Empire. None of Pilate’s successors in Judea used these pagan cult symbols. This example here shows a simpulum, or a ritual ladle. It was the smallest coin in circulation, referred to in Mark 12:42 and Luke 21:2 as a lepton. Photo: Dr. Mark A. Staal Collection.

 

[Erik Nelson]

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org...men-of-the-ancient-near-east-beturia-paulina/

Tiberius expelled Jews from Rome due to charges of Religious corruption, could that have brought Sejanus to power ?

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org...men-of-the-ancient-near-east-beturia-paulina/

Tiberius expelled Jews from Rome due to charges of Religious corruption, could that have brought Sejanus to power ?

Sejanus became Praetorian Prefect in 14 AD, the Jews were expelled in 19 AD. While the height of Sejanus' influence was in the 20s, this was probably due to the death of Germanicus in 19 and then Tiberius' son Drusus in 23 - whom Tiberius had granted Tribune powers.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Sabbatical cycle ?

37/36
30/29
23/22 => 22/21BC Jubilee year [ Herod the Great starts renovating the Temple ? ]
16/15
9/8
2/1BC
6/7AD [ census of Quirinius ? ]
13/14
20/21
27/28 => 28/29AD Jubilee year
34/35
41/42
48/49
55/56
62/63
69/70
76/77 => 77/78AD Jubilee year

---

According to Wikipedia:

Jerome quotes the non-canonical Gospel of the Hebrews: "'Now the Lord, after he had given his grave clothes to the servant of the priest, appeared to James, for James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the Lord's cup until he should see him risen from the dead.' And a little further on the Lord says, 'bring a table and bread.' And immediately it is added, 'He took bread and blessed and broke and gave it to James the Just and said to him, "My brother, eat your bread, for the Son of Man is risen from the dead."' And so he ruled the church of Jerusalem thirty years, that is, until the seventh year of Nero."​

If Nero's 2nd year = 55/56AD, then his 7th year = 60/61... Most scholars date the martyrdom of James the Just to spring 62AD. Perhaps Jerome implies that James was in prison from 61/62AD???

Plausibly, Jerome is speaking in round numbers, much as James' "brother" Jesus was acknowledged to be "30 years old" at the start of his ministry. However, accepting "30 years":

61/62 - 30 = 31/32 AD = Acts 12 (Peter chooses James to succeed him as Bishop of Jerusalem?)

Although some say James the Just was always Bishop of Jerusalem, "the heart of the Church" perhaps one could say, whereas Peter was always the roving "head of the Church" on behalf of Christ?

Moreover, Daniel 9 says that the Messiah will be cut off in the middle of a seven year cycle. 27/28AD + 3.5 years = 30/31AD or so. And it would make sense that Jesus was born in a Sabbatical year 2/1BC (i.e. either Dec 2BC or perhaps January 1BC).

All of this would support a ~30AD date of the Crucifixion, consistent with the 4 April 30AD lunar eclipse date.

plausibly, John the Baptist began his preaching in a Jubilee Year

And, the Jubilee Year of 28/29 AD = 15th year of Tiberius (Luke 3:1)

QED ?

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

plausibly, John the Baptist began his preaching in a Jubilee Year

And, the Jubilee Year of 28/29 AD = 15th year of Tiberius (Luke 3:1)

QED ?

Why would John the Baptist start preaching in a Jubilee year? I understand the need for renewal and freeing of debts and so, but would that not make more sense that he would start the year prior, in preparation for the Jubilee? That people repent before it?

As I noted before, we can't properly reconstruct the specific Jewish years with much certainty though, due to later calendrical reform.

On the 15th year of Tiberius: This is very imprecise. The Romans didn't date like this, but via either Abs Urbs Condita from the founding of Rome; by the Consuls of the year; or on coins for provincials they might list a date according to the granting of Tribunician powers by the Senate to an Emperor. What are we dealing with here?

Tiberius became Emperor in 14 AD, giving 29 AD as his fifteenth year straight. However, in 12 AD he received Tribunician powers after his Pannonian campaigns in all likelihood. So potentially, his 15th year of tribunician power could be 27 AD. We don't know what Luke meant; whether counting in Greek fashion from accession of a new Emperor as if a Basileus, or if he meant Tribunician power in Roman fashion.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Why would John the Baptist start preaching in a Jubilee year? I understand the need for renewal and freeing of debts and so, but would that not make more sense that he would start the year prior, in preparation for the Jubilee? That people repent before it?

Yes, that makes even more sense

Sejanus' Pilate arrives in 26 AD, and John the Baptist soon emerges with a repentance for resurgence movement in 27/28 (Sabbath year) for spiritual relief in 28/29 (Jubilee year)

As I noted before, we can't properly reconstruct the specific Jewish years with much certainty though, due to later calendrical reform.

you gave above to firm dates 23/22 BC + 55/56 AD? Those are completely consistent with a set seven year cycle, they align precisely

if the shoe fits?

On the 15th year of Tiberius: This is very imprecise. The Romans didn't date like this, but via either Abs Urbs Condita from the founding of Rome; by the Consuls of the year; or on coins for provincials they might list a date according to the granting of Tribunician powers by the Senate to an Emperor. What are we dealing with here?

Tiberius became Emperor in 14 AD, giving 29 AD as his fifteenth year straight. However, in 12 AD he received Tribunician powers after his Pannonian campaigns in all likelihood. So potentially, his 15th year of tribunician power could be 27 AD. We don't know what Luke meant; whether counting in Greek fashion from accession of a new Emperor as if a Basileus, or if he meant Tribunician power in Roman fashion.

Tradition holds Luke-Acts was written in Rome for Paul's legal defense

If so, Tribunician Roman fashion would be more likely?

So, a 15th year = 12+14/15 = 26/27 AD would be plausible, and consistent with your Sabbath year conjecture above!

Of course, 14+14/15 = 28/29 AD would still be consistent with 27/28 AD (Sabbath year) as well?

 

[Erik Nelson]

The whole prisoner release on Passover was plausibly a concession to the Jews on the fall of their persecutor Sejanus in 31 AD? Consistent with a date after that in 33 AD ?

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

The whole prisoner release on Passover was plausibly a concession to the Jews on the fall of their persecutor Sejanus in 31 AD? Consistent with a date after that in 33 AD ?

On what grounds would this be a 'concession after the fall of Sejanus'? I don't think we have enough information thereon to tell.

To release prisoners to the populace upon their request was a recognised principle of Roman Law, such as when Pliny records criminals being freed in this manner; or when Josephus records Albinus releasing prisoners. When such a practice became coupled to passover is an open question (though perhaps suggested in the Mishna too), but it doesn't seem unreasonable for the Romans to do this as a public relations exercise on Passover. After all, it is all about the Jews being freed from captivity in Egypt, and the large crowds would need to be kept well-disposed to the Roman Authorities that needed to keep the peace with likely little manpower.