Did Jesus die on 33AD?

[brb3]

*"The Moon does not completely disappear as it passes through the umbra because of the refraction of sunlight by the Earth’s atmosphere into the shadow cone; if the Earth had no atmosphere, the Moon would be completely dark during an eclipse. The red coloring arises because sunlight reaching the Moon must pass through a long and dense layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, where it is scattered. Shorter wavelengths are more likely to be scattered by the small particles, and so by the time the light has passed through the atmosphere, the longer wavelengths dominate. This resulting light we perceive as red. This is the same effect that causes sunsets and sunrises to turn the sky a reddish color; an alternative way of considering the problem is to realize that, as viewed from the Moon, the Sun would appear to be setting (or rising) behind the Earth.

“The amount of refracted light depends on the amount of dust or clouds in the atmosphere; this also controls how much light is scattered. In general, the dustier the atmosphere, the more that other wavelengths of light will be removed (compared to red light), leaving the resulting light a deeper red color. This causes the resulting coppery-red hue of the Moon to vary from one eclipse to the next. Volcanoes are notable for expelling large quantities of dust into the atmosphere, and a large eruption shortly before an eclipse can have a large effect on the resulting color.”*

I’ve personally witnessed this red moon ---- with eclipses. And, regarding dust storms in the Middle East … on the Day of the Cross, with the occurance of storms that day, a dusty local atmosphere would be expected…

 

[inkaneer]

You know lawyers think they ARE the experts

But, his software was designed by REAL astronomers. That is the beauty of his production. He let the scriptures guide his search … which he plugged into the software and out pops verification by science of scriptures.

The scientific method at work … at its finest ! Formulate a hypothesis … & test it from the scientific evidence, and calculate probabilities. Explaining the evidence [scripted in the stars] … is not credibly explainable by chance events alone. God has given all fence-sitters the proof you need …to fortify your weak faiths and abort your pregnant skepticism.

Still I would like to see some well known astronomer sign on to the project. That would add a lot of weight to the credibility of the evidence.

 

[Ron_Conte]

From Josephus, “Antiquities of the Jews”, Book XVIII, Chapter 4, Section 2:
All Josephus states is that Vitellius, president of Syria, ordered Pilate to go to Rome. But before Pilate gets to Rome, Tiberius is dead. After the death of Tiberius, Caius (Caligula) takes over as the Roman Emperor, and the government that was under Tiberius goes through changes in personnel. Josephus did not state that this was the end of Pilate’s career as Procurator of Judea.

You have Jesus dying in 51 AD and the emperor Claudius dying a few years earlier in 47 AD. This contradicts what Acts of the Apostles says about the early Church, that Claudius was still the emperor during that time:

{11:27} Now in these days, prophets from Jerusalem went over to Antioch.
{11:28} And one of them, named Agabus, rising up, signified through the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over the entire world, which did happen under Claudius.

Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine, and subsequently that famine occurred under Claudius.

{24:27} Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.

Josephus tells us that Claudius sent Felix to be governor of Judea. Immediately after making this statement, Josephus adds that Claudius, “when he had already completed the twelfth year of his reign,” gave Herod Agrippa II additional areas to govern. (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 20.137-138.)

But you have Jesus dying AFTER Claudius’ reign ended, so Pilate could not have been governor of Judea at that time.

When speaking before Felix the governor of Judea, Paul states that Felix had been ruler over this nation “for many years.” (Acts 24:10). Since Felix became governor of Judea about the 12th year of Claudius’ reign (A.D. 37), he would had to have been governor for at least 4 or 5 years for Paul to call that length of time “many years.” Claudius died during his 14th year as emperor of Rome; Nero succeeded him.

But you have Jesus being Crucified in the third year of Nero’s reign, long after Felix was appointed governor of Judea. So again, Pilate could not have been governor.

 

[richherleikson]

You have Jesus dying in 51 AD and the emperor Claudius dying a few years earlier in 47 AD. This contradicts what Acts of the Apostles says about the early Church, that Claudius was still the emperor during that time:

{11:27} Now in these days, prophets from Jerusalem went over to Antioch.
{11:28} And one of them, named Agabus, rising up, signified through the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over the entire world, which did happen under Claudius.

Agabus prophesied that there would be a famine, and subsequently that famine occurred under Claudius.

{24:27} Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.

Josephus tells us that Claudius sent Felix to be governor of Judea. Immediately after making this statement, Josephus adds that Claudius, “when he had already completed the twelfth year of his reign,” gave Herod Agrippa II additional areas to govern. (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 20.137-138.)

But you have Jesus dying AFTER Claudius’ reign ended, so Pilate could not have been governor of Judea at that time.

When speaking before Felix the governor of Judea, Paul states that Felix had been ruler over this nation “for many years.” (Acts 24:10). Since Felix became governor of Judea about the 12th year of Claudius’ reign (A.D. 37), he would had to have been governor for at least 4 or 5 years for Paul to call that length of time “many years.” Claudius died during his 14th year as emperor of Rome; Nero succeeded him.

But you have Jesus being Crucified in the third year of Nero’s reign, long after Felix was appointed governor of Judea. So again, Pilate could not have been governor.

Good catch Ron! My error in dating Claudius, Nero, Felix and Festus.

 

[steve53]

Originally Posted by richherleikson View Post
From Josephus, “Antiquities of the Jews”, Book XVIII, Chapter 4, Section 2:
All Josephus states is that Vitellius, president of Syria, ordered Pilate to go to Rome. But before Pilate gets to Rome, Tiberius is dead. After the death of Tiberius, Caius (Caligula) takes over as the Roman Emperor, and the government that was under Tiberius goes through changes in personnel. Josephus did not state that this was the end of Pilate’s career as Procurator of Judea.

Josephus does state that after he ordered Pilate back to Rome in early A.D. 37, Marcellus took over as administrator in Judea. I don’t think he used the term “procurator”, but I think that can be safely assumed.

source Hagan “Year of the Passover”

 

[Ron_Conte]

Josephus also states that Pilate’s reign lated ten years:
Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews, 18.89.

Eusebius places the beginning of Pilate’s rule over Judea in Tiberius’ 12th year, and the beginning of Christ’s Ministry in Tiberius’ 15th year.

So Jesus’ Ministry could not have lasted the 30 plus years that you claim in your book.

 

[richherleikson]

Good catch Ron! My error in dating Claudius, Nero, Felix and Festus.

The source of my error was in the dating of the death of Augustus to a “partial” solar eclipse, when I should have dated the death of Augustus to a “total” solar eclipse. That resulted in a dating error of about 23 years. Using the the “total” solar eclipse, the census of Luke 2:1-2 can now be dated, and the governor of Syria at that time identified.

I am sure folks will still have an issue regarding the length of time Pilate was procurator of Judea, but I am still showing a ministry of Jesus of about 30 years.

 

[steve53]

With all due respect, I think you have many more sources of errors in your research yet to discover.

 

[richherleikson]

With all due respect, I think you have many more sources of errors in your research yet to discover.

I am not an historian, nor claim to be one. There are Biblical errors in the movie The Star of Bethlehem, such as a Friday Passover for the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. So 33 CE is just plain wrong.

What I have attempted to do is find the signs in the heavens that best fit with what is in the Bible, using open source planetarium software. If you can find an error in any of the planetarium observations in the book, please let me know.

It has been centuries since the crucifixion of Christ Jesus, and there seems to be little agreement on the dating of both the birth of Christ Jesus and the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. Using planetarium software and the Bible, I am attempting to discover the truth.

My expertise is Engineering and Applied Science (over 30 years). I understand software and physics. Since I am new to history, the probability of an error from my limited understanding in history is likely. What was attempted in the book was to bridge the gap between physics and history. I could have left that to an historian, but likelihood of that occurring is slim to none [the disarray of the dating of these events amplifies this point].

 

[brb3]

There are Biblical errors in the movie The Star of Bethlehem, such as a Friday Passover for the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. So 33 CE is just plain wrong.

Elaborate on the error you see.

 

[Ron_Conte]

My expertise is Engineering and Applied Science (over 30 years). I understand software and physics. Since I am new to history, the probability of an error from my limited understanding in history is likely. What was attempted in the book was to bridge the gap between physics and history. I could have left that to an historian, but likelihood of that occurring is slim to none [the disarray of the dating of these events amplifies this point].

You should have studied the field of Biblical chronology before writing a book proposing a new theory. You’re theory is based on very little knowledge.

Books on the subject:

Handbook of Biblical chronology by Jack Finegan
Chronos, Kairos, Christos I and II – various authors

summary of my work in this field:
biblicalchronology.com/

You cite Josephus, but you ignore much of what he says. You also ignore Dio, Tacitus, Suetonius, et al. Your theory that Pilate had a very long reign is contracted even by Josephus, as I have already pointed out above.

 

[richherleikson]

Elaborate on the error you see.

The error in the movie regarding the crucifixion is that in 33 CE, Passover was on a Friday. I have already shown in this forum that the crucifixion Passover was on a Wednesday.

The other error in the movie is the dating of the birth of Jesus to 3 BCE. If you watched the movie, you may recall that Mr. Lawson asked if anyone knew what the sign of the dragon was to let him know. The reason he asked, was because it is also Revelation 12:1-4. I found the sign of the dragon, and it occurs in 12 BCE. I have also dated the first census decreed by Augustus to be in 12 BCE. The governor of Syria in Luke 2:1-2 is Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. From the King James Version of Luke 2:1-2:
*
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)*

Corvinus is Cyrenius. Additionally, if the translation were better, it would be apparent that Luke is saying that this was the “first” census in the days of Augustus, not the first census that Corvinus conducted, which occurred 41 years after the last Roman census.

By dating the “total” solar eclipse in the Roman empire to be the one that occurred on November 24, 29 CE, one can see an error of 16 years in Roman history [historians have dated the death of Augustus to be August 19, 14 CE]. Cassius Dio specifically stated that there was a “total eclipse” before the death of Augustus. This “total” solar eclipse that occurred within the Roman empire is the closest time-wise to the 14 CE erroneous date. The death of Augustus occurred on August 19, 30 CE. So the mis-dating of the first census in 28 BCE by historians, is actually 12 BCE, the date I have previously stated on this forum for the birth of Christ Jesus.

Hope that is enough elaboration.

 

[inkaneer]

The error in the movie regarding the crucifixion is that in 33 CE, Passover was on a Friday. I have already shown in this forum that the crucifixion Passover was on a Wednesday.

The other error in the movie is the dating of the birth of Jesus to 3 BCE. If you watched the movie, you may recall that Mr. Lawson asked if anyone knew what the sign of the dragon was to let him know. The reason he asked, was because it is also Revelation 12:1-4. I found the sign of the dragon, and it occurs in 12 BCE. I have also dated the first census decreed by Augustus to be in 12 BCE. The governor of Syria in Luke 2:1-2 is Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. From the King James Version of Luke 2:1-2:
*
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)*

Corvinus is Cyrenius. Additionally, if the translation were better, it would be apparent that Luke is saying that this was the “first” census in the days of Augustus, not the first census that Corvinus conducted, which occurred 41 years after the last Roman census.

By dating the “total” solar eclipse in the Roman empire to be the one that occurred on November 24, 29 CE, one can see an error of 16 years in Roman history [historians have dated the death of Augustus to be August 19, 14 CE]. Cassius Dio specifically stated that there was a “total eclipse” before the death of Augustus. This “total” solar eclipse that occurred within the Roman empire is the closest time-wise to the 14 CE erroneous date. The death of Augustus occurred on August 19, 30 CE. So the mis-dating of the first census in 28 BCE by historians, is actually 12 BCE, the date I have previously stated on this forum for the birth of Christ Jesus.

Hope that is enough elaboration.

Ridiculous, simply ridiculous. Passover was celebrathed on Thursday night. Jesus was crucified on Friday the preparation day for the Sabbath as stated explicitly in the Gospel of Mark:

".37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Mag’dalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salo’me, 41 who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him; and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathe’a, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. [Mark 15:37-42]

Notice verse 42. That automatically rules out a Wednesday Crucifixion. You obviously do not understand what the Jewish idiom of “three days and three nights” really means.

As for the rest of your post, if your research is as good as it was for the day of the week for the crucifixion then no further comment is needed.

 

[brb3]

The error in the movie regarding the crucifixion is that in 33 CE, Passover was on a Friday. I have already shown in this forum that the crucifixion Passover was on a Wednesday.

The other error in the movie is the dating of the birth of Jesus to 3 BCE. If you watched the movie, you may recall that Mr. Lawson asked if anyone knew what the sign of the dragon was to let him know. The reason he asked, was because it is also Revelation 12:1-4. I found the sign of the dragon, and it occurs in 12 BCE. I have also dated the first census decreed by Augustus to be in 12 BCE. The governor of Syria in Luke 2:1-2 is Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. From the King James Version of Luke 2:1-2:
*
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)*

Corvinus is Cyrenius. Additionally, if the translation were better, it would be apparent that Luke is saying that this was the “first” census in the days of Augustus, not the first census that Corvinus conducted, which occurred 41 years after the last Roman census.

By dating the “total” solar eclipse in the Roman empire to be the one that occurred on November 24, 29 CE, one can see an error of 16 years in Roman history [historians have dated the death of Augustus to be August 19, 14 CE]. Cassius Dio specifically stated that there was a “total eclipse” before the death of Augustus. This “total” solar eclipse that occurred within the Roman empire is the closest time-wise to the 14 CE erroneous date. The death of Augustus occurred on August 19, 30 CE. So the mis-dating of the first census in 28 BCE by historians, is actually 12 BCE, the date I have previously stated on this forum for the birth of Christ Jesus.

Hope that is enough elaboration.

RH …

You haven’t put forth a convincing proof here …:nope: This is no where near the elaboration you would need to support your tenuous conclusions. With Passover on a Wednesday … with Christ crucified on a Thursday !

This is what the WorldWide Church of God [Philadelphia Branch] has recently proposed in their Philadephia Trumpet mag. Their claims have no basis in fact.

 

[Ron_Conte]

The Church has always solemnly commemorated the death of Jesus for our sins on Friday. In the early Church, there was a dispute between those who wanted to commemorate the Crucifixion on Friday every year, and those who wanted to commemorate the Crucifixion on the 14th of the month. This indicates that the Church understood Jesus to have died on Friday, Nisan 14 (the month that includes the Passover). No one was saying that the crucifixion occurred on a Wednesday, or on the 15th of the month. Such ideas are modern inventions, based on misunderstandings of Scripture.

 

[richherleikson]

RH …

You haven’t put forth a convincing proof here …:nope: This is no where near the elaboration you would need to support your tenuous conclusions. With Passover on a Wednesday … with Christ crucified on a Thursday !

The crucifixion of Christ Jesus was on a Wednesday Passover. The following is the proof [quoted from the book http://christjesussonofgod.blogspot.com/2010/05/jesus-was-61.html”]
Jesus was 61]:

The Events after Crucifixion:

1. It was during the evening on Wednesday that Joseph (a man from Arimathea) first went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
2. Pilate would not let Joseph have the body of Jesus, until Pilate had:
   
   (a) Summoned the centurion, from where the body of Jesus was.
   
   (b) Questioned the centurion, as to whether Jesus was dead or not.
3. So time-wise, it would now have to be much later on in the evening.
4. Nicodemus comes by night “bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.” and “they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews”.
5. So a significant amount of work was done to preserve the body of Jesus that night.
6. Next the two men laid the prepared body of Jesus in the tomb.
7. Then “the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.”
8. “and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.”
9. Time-wise, it would now have to be approaching dawn on Thursday.
10. “Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes”, which now approaching the first hour of the day (a high-day in which no “laborious work” can be done). So the women would have to wait until the day after the high-day of Thursday, Abib 15, to prepare the spices and perfumes on Friday, Abib 16. And so it is confirmed in Mark 16:1-2, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.” The Sabbath that “was over” was on Thursday, Abib 15 (a high-day Sabbath in which no “laborious work” can be done). The next Sabbath was on Saturday, Abib 17 (the weekly Sabbath in which no “laborious work” can be done), which is the day before the first day of the week on Sunday, Abib 18.
11. “And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” So the day after they bought and prepared the spices on Friday, Abib 16, is now the weekly Sabbath on Saturday, Abib 17 (a day which they can do no “laborious work”).
12. “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.” The first day of the week was on Sunday, Abib 18.

In summary, from evening to dawn on Wednesday night, a significant amount of activity went on with the body of Jesus. The women watched, as the two men did the work. Since it was a preparation day, the next day (Thursday, starting at dawn) would be a high-day in which no “laborious work” could be performed. So when the women returned towards dawn, they would not have prepared any spices until after the high-day Sabbath (Lev. 23:5-8 requires no “laborious work” on the high-day). On Friday the women bought and prepared the spices and perfumes. Then comes the weekly Sabbath (Saturday), on which the women rested. Then at dawn on the first day of the week (Sunday) the women return to the grave of Jesus with the spices. But they did not find Jesus, because He had risen from the dead, just like He said He would.

[Lev. 23:5-8] “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD’S Passover. 'Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 'On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. 'But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’"

Also See: Luke 23:50-56, Matt. 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, John 19:38-42, Luke 24:1, Matt. 28:1, Mark 16:1-2, John 20:1.

 

[brb3]

The crucifixion of Christ Jesus was on a Wednesday Passover. The following is the proof [quoted from the book http://christjesussonofgod.blogspot.com/2010/05/jesus-was-61.html”]
Jesus was 61

]:

The Events after Crucifixion:

1. It was during the evening on Wednesday that Joseph (a man from Arimathea) first went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Nope … way off on your days of week.

Luke 23:50 - Luke 24:1 Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, … and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, … IT WAS THE DAY OF PREPARATION [good friday], AND THE SABBATH [saturday] WAS BEGINNING. Then the women who had come with him from Gallilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid; then THEY RETURNED [to their HOMES], and prepared spices and ointments. ON THE SABBATH [saturday] THEY RESTED ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT. ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK [easter sunday], at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared.

Good Friday, the Sabbath, then Easter Sunday … voila !!!

 

[richherleikson]

Nope … way off on your days of week.

Luke 23:50 - Luke 24:1 Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, … and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, … IT WAS THE DAY OF PREPARATION [good friday], AND THE SABBATH [saturday] WAS BEGINNING. Then the women who had come with him from Gallilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid; then THEY RETURNED [to their HOMES], and prepared spices and ointments. ON THE SABBATH [saturday] THEY RESTED ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT. ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK [easter sunday], at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared.

Good Friday, the Sabbath, then Easter Sunday … voila !!!

THEY BOUGHT SPICES “AFTER” THE “SABBATH”.

Mark 16:1-2, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.”

 

[brb3]

THEY BOUGHT SPICES “AFTER” THE “SABBATH”.

Mark 16:1-2, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.”

RH …

Yes, they prepared spices on the day of Crucifixion [Good Friday] … and Mark also says they obtained additional spices AFTER Saturday’s sundown … which makes it the first hours of Sunday.

The fact that the Luke and Mark suggest they obtained spices on two dates … doesn’t settle the issue for you. It seems they were rushed on Good Friday, and perhaps lacked a key spice or two they needed … so they obtained those extras on their next opportunity, AFTER the Sabbath ended at 6 PM.

Once you discover contradictory scriptural evidence AGAINST your theory … its time to fold your cards and cut your loses. Don’t try to FORCE the facts to fit your theory. Rather, let your conclusions flow from the scriptural facts, as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Millions of people have examined this evidence over last 2000 years … and you think you are only recently discovering something all the others overlooked ? :ehh:

 

[JohnCS]

I spent several years researching and writing a book on NT Biblical chronology. I’ve read what many different scholars have said about dating the Birth of Christ and about the star.

1. There is no consensus among scholars as to the date of Christ’s birth. Dates suggested by Biblical chronologists range from 15 BC to 1 BC or even 1 AD
2. There is no consensus as to the meaning of the Christmas star. Theories range from a comet, to a conjuction of stars and plants, to a supernatural sign.
3. No scholar attempts to determine the date of Christ’s Birth mainly on the basis of identifying the star. Numerous other pieces of historical evidence must be considered.

This claim: “Every single Josephus manuscript in these libraries dating from before 1544 supports the inference that Herod passed in 1 BC. Excellent scholarship confirms that date. Knowing this, and since Herod died shortly after Christ’s birth, our investigation turns to the skies of 3 and 2 BC.”
greatly over-simplifies the evidence, and draws conclusions which do not follow from the premises. The error in manuscripts after 1544 pertains to the date of the death of one of Herod’s sons, and does not imply that Herod died in 1 BC. There are many other factors to consider.

Also, it is not certain how many years passed between the Birth of Christ and the death of Herod, but since Herod killed the holy Innocents who were two years old or younger, and since the holy family then spent a number of years in Egypt, the length of time would have to be at least several years. The theory in this video, that Jesus was born on Dec. 25 of 2 BC cannot be correct, even if Herod died in 1 BC. The scholars who believe that Herod died in 1 BC place his death in Jan. or Feb., only a month or two after Dec. 25 of 2 BC.

Basically, this video is very poor scholarship, presented with high production values, so as to appeal directly to the faithful who are uneducated on this subject, by-passing scholars and most of the scholarship in this field.

The idea that the Magi saw a conjunction of a planet and a star, and so they concluded that a king was born and started their journey is untenable. There are many conjuctions of stars and planets, and other notable celestial events. And they would have no way of knowing that subsequent celestial events would occur once they started this journey.

Too much weight is given in this theory to the interpretation of stars and planets. We do not know what the Magi’s interpretation of celestial events might have been, so this is baseless conjecture to say that they would have interpreted Jupiter and Regulus as having a particular meaning. Also, the theory ignores almost all scholarship in this field, selecting only a few points to use in the theory, and ignoring everything else.

Hello Brother in Christ! I am definately not well versed in Biblical Chronology, but I have seen this Star of Bethlehem film, and if I remember correctly the lawyer states that Dec 25 was the day that the Magi showed up, not the day that Christ was born. He states that Christ was already a toddler and walking around. Not sure if that makes any difference about what you are saying, but noticed the error and thought I’d point it out. God bless.

John