B.C./A.D: Sleuthing Elusive Timelines of New Testament Events

by Keith Alan

Dates for many New Testament events are still vigorously debated to this day when they should have been set in stone long ago. But there are a few good reasons for this. For one, scholars are making a huge mistake when they claim the first-century historian, Flavius Josephus, recorded events badly out of order in Antiquities of the Jews book 18. In spite of his promise that he placed each and every event in the order of time that belongs to them, just one anomaly adds enough confusion that prevents them from recognizing he largely kept his word. Two, scholars and researchers alike seem to be completely oblivious to what Luke 3:1 really means. The fact is, Luke and Josephus don't conflict with one another but actually complement each other. Consider just a few points/ Luke states John the Baptist began his ministry in Tiberius Caesar’s fifteenth year, which any scholar or researcher will assert began on September 18, A.D. 28. On the other hand, Flavius Josephus indicated the crucifixion of Christ happened somewhere within the range of A.D. 17–19. Since Jesus’ ministry followed John’s, there seems to be no room to reconcile Luke and Josephus. One man must be wrong. Christians and scholars alike say Luke is correct. Definitely so. Surely, Josephus got it terribly wrong by placing the Passion of Christ as early as Tiberius Caesar’s third year as emperor. Luke is right, of course, but why not assume Josephus is also right and take it from there? For instance, few are aware it was common practice for Tiberius and Roman officials to calculate his reign by the year of his tribunician power. On this system his fifteenth year began June 27, A.D.13. The Romans used it to date coins, plaques, documents, etc., during his rule. Maybe Luke followed their lead and used this same method to date the start of John’s ministry. If he did, then the crucifixion of Jesus definitely fits within 17–19. Oh, no. That can’t be right. The entire ministry of Jesus Christ occurred while Pontius Pilate was governor. He spent ten years in Judea until A.D. 37—the year Tiberius died. That’s according to Josephus, himself. He had to know better, and yet he still made a silly mistake by dating the crucifixion of Jesus to a time well before Pilate ever became governor. But there’s better than a fifty-fifty chance Josephus never said Pilate’s last year was when Tiberius died. The Greek word he used translated “dead” can also be grammatically rendered ‘moved’. In fact, "moved" is a common definition of the Greek. So, it’s actually quite possible that Pilate’s days in Judea ended the same year Tiberius had moved out of Rome. He relocated two notable times while temporarily in early A.D. 21 until sometime in 22 and then permanently at the end of 26. That can’t be right, either. Pilate was ordered to Rome by his superior, Governor Lucius Vitellius. He ruled Syria from 35–39 right after he became an ex-consul in 34. Vitellius did not govern Syria as early as 21 or 26. About that supposition Vitellius did not govern Syria as early as 21. There’s something very important the best and brightest are overlooking, and it is right under their noses…

290 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2020