Jesus' Crucifixion Date Possibly Friday April 3, 33 A.D., According To Earthquake Study

International Geology Review study confirms Jesus' crucifixion year

A new study suggests that the Biblical date of Jesus' crucifixion is, in fact, possible to confirm.

The International Geology Review investigated an earthquake that was said to have occurred the same date as Jesus' crucifixion. Biblical citations combined with geological research suggest the date may have been Friday April 3, 33 A.D. Taken alone, geological research has identified a window from 26 to 36 A.D.

In Gospel of of Matthew, Chapter 27 says: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.”

According to Discovery News, geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences, analyzed earthquake activity in the area by studying three cores from the Ein Gedi Spa beach.

The research confirmed that two major earthquakes hit the area specified, one during the period between 26 BCE and 36 CE, and could be the one referred to in the Gospel of Matthew.

However, the earthquake data alone doesn't fully confirm the date. Williams, Schwab, and Brauer point out that the earthquake implied in the gospel could be allegorical, referring to the earthquake that occurred sometime before or after the crucifixion.

This earthquake would have been powerful enough to break apart the sediments of Ein Gedi but not enough to have warranted "a still extant and extra-biblical historical record."

“If the last possibility is true, this would mean that the report of an earthquake in the Gospel of Matthew is a type of allegory,” they write in the International Geology Review.

Further research is being done by Williams and his team who are now analyzing the report of darkness from noon to 3pm after the crucifixion. Three of the four canonical gospels claim that darkness pervaded during those three hours which could allude to a dust storm, according to Williams.

As reported by Discovery News, Williams had intended to investigate if dust storm deposits coincide with the early first century Jerusalem region earthquake. In an email to HuffPost, he indicated those plans were being re-evaluated.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect additional information provided by Williams, who has a website with additional information. We have specifically clarified that the date of April 3, 33 can only be arrived at as a possibility through Biblical citation, and not purely through geological evidence.

CHECK OUT OTHER SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ABOUT RELIGION

Loading Slideshow

• Jesus Discovery

  On the morning of Tuesday, June 29, 2010, outside the Old City of Jerusalem, we made an unprecedented archaeological discovery related to Jesus and early Christianity. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/jesus-discovery-jerusalem_n_1305355.html#s732483&title=Jonah_and_the" target="_hplink">Read more..</a>

• The Date Of Jesus' Crucifixion?

  A new study suggests that the Biblical date of Jesus' crucifixion is, in fact, possible to confirm. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/25/jesus-crucifixion-date-possible_n_1546351.html" target="_hplink">Read more.. </a>

• Ancient Bethlehem Seal Unearthed In Jerusalem

  Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 2,700-year-old seal that bears the inscription "Bethlehem," the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday, in what experts believe to be the oldest artifact with the name of Jesus' traditional birthplace. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/ancient-bethlehem-seal_n_1538605.html" target="_hplink">Ancient Bethlehem Seal Unearthed In Jerusalem</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/dig-proves-bethlehem_n_1538665.html" target="_hplink">Archaeologists Discover Evidence That Bethlehem Existed Centuries Before Jesus </a>

• Khirbet Qeiyafa Excavations Find Evidence Of Solomon's Temple, Archaeologists Say

  JERUSALEM (RNS) Archaeologists have unearthed a trove of artifacts dating back to the time of the biblical King David that they say closely correspond to the description of Solomon's Temple found in the Book of Kings. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/khirbet-qeiyafa-archaeology_n_1504722.html" target="_hplink">Khirbet Qeiyafa Excavations Find Evidence of Soloman's Temple, Archaeologists Say</a>

• Jerusalem Markings From Ancient Past Stump Archeologists

  JERUSALEM -- Mysterious stone carvings made thousands of years ago and recently uncovered in an excavation underneath Jerusalem have archaeologists stumped. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/07/jerusalem-markings_n_1133613.html" target="_hplink">Jerusalem Markings From Ancient Past Stump Archeologists</a>

• A colorful <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/samson-mosaic-discovered-huqoq-israel_n_1652525.html" target="_hplink">mosaic depicting the biblical figure Samson has been discovered</a> in the Galilee region of Israel, according to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The artwork was found in a synagogue in Huqoq and is well preserved even though it dates back to the late Roman period, or around the fourth or fifth century.

• Shroud of Turin

  A series of experiments conducted by Italian researchers indicate the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20/shroud-of-turin-jesus-burial-cloth-authentic_n_1161363.html" target="_hplink">Shroud of Turin</a> is likely authentic, but the team has not yet reached a definite conclusion.

• Early Christian Text Indicates That Jesus May Have Been Married

  More information <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/the-gospel-of-jesus-wife_n_1891325.html?utm_hp_ref=religion">here</a>.

• The Gabriel Stone

  The so-called Gabriel Stone, a meter (three-foot)-tall tablet said to have been found 13 years ago on the banks of the Dead Sea, features 87 lines of an unknown prophetic text dated as early as the first century BC, at the time of the Second Jewish Temple. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/gabriel-stone-jerusalem-unveils-mysterious-hebrew-tablet_n_3184953.html?utm_hp_ref=religion" target="_hplink">Read more here...</a>

Comments

[Kelsie Ann Lightfoot]

08:02 PM on 04/17/2013

Kinda freaky due to the fact that he may have been crucified on my birthday...

[koolv2]

08:04 AM on 04/10/2013

Wow; and the fairy tale continues, lol....He never existed as described in the bible, which was written around 70 CE. The character was based upon a man named John of Gamala; who lived in the wilderness with his 11 brothers, and came down to the temple to kick the stands over once a month.
They claimed to be from the House of David and believed the throne was for one of them.
You must remember that the temple was also the shopping mall and social gathering spot in those days. These band of ruffians, as the Roman government called them, were just that. As far as the Romans were concerned, they were terrorists. The Jesus of the bible, who woke the dead, turned water into wine, and walked on water, never made it to sources outside the bible. In those days, you had saviors all over the place, among them, Appolonius, who also was a historian; also Plutarch, etc; these guys were the CNN then, and lived during the years that Jesus lived in Israel, and wrote enough material to fill a small library. Would you not think that a guy who wakes the dead, turn water into wine, and a bunch of other miracles, would have made it into those writings. Well, he did not, because he did not exist in the first place.

[mikebw1]

10:55 AM on 05/01/2013

I guess in doing all he did and having as many followers as he did who were constantly asking him questions and to perform miracles non-stop allowed him "plenty" of time to write his life's history. I'm surprised he even had time to go to the bathroom. As to him being in the group of people you described that makes no sense. Others who were not disciples and so forth wrote about him and they did "not" describe him as you have. I know denial exist, but you seem to be taking it a bit further than anyone I've run into so far.

[koolv2]

05:06 PM on 05/01/2013

That same story, with very little variation has been told since about 10000 BC; the messiah that will fix it all: Born of a virgin, yes is always a virgin; at a young age a child prodigy, starting his 'ministry' at about age 30, for about 3 years, performing miracles; then executed, rising from the dead, rising to Heaven where 'he' sits as a judge of us all. (Google Justin Martyr) when the pagans asked him on why he they should believe the story of Jesus, he replied that the devil knew that that the day was coming, so he faked it; basically Justin Martyr said, all those stories were BS but ours is true.(Yeah right)And you must keep in mind that in the early days of Christianity, the Christians were like the Muslims of today,(ie: Convert or die) Jesus is nothing more than a fairy tale that went too far, lol.

[venturamickey]

10:31 AM on 04/05/2013

WE had better focus on His return rather than argue on birth and death dates. Are You ready to face almighty God when He returns to earth to gather His elect and judge those that refuse to believe in the Son of God.

[TheWM]

12:06 PM on 04/06/2013

Yes. I'm all set.

[koolv2]

08:06 AM on 04/10/2013

Nope; He did not exist.
besides...Jesus promised to get rid of evil ; Odin the Norse God promised to get rid of Ice Giants, do you see any Ice Giants? hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[thatswhatmethinks]

11:56 AM on 05/01/2013

Jesus will get rid of evil, and evil people. To say that he did not exist is ludicrous. You are talking about a conspiracy theory that defies all logic. Just because someone or another's writings do not mention him is hardly proof. You think that the same people you are referencing (Jesus's contemporaries and prominent and prolific writers by your account) would have categorically put forth proof in writing the Jesus did not exist! Is there any 1st century writings by accredited Historians that deny the existence of Jesus? NO! there are not. That means that he was not written about by those who did not believe in his divinity. The sooner you swim out of the "denial" river you are in the sooner your discussions may be relevant.

[gskogebo]

08:24 AM on 04/05/2013

A good start, but scripture reveals there were actually TWO earthquakes within 3 days. The first occurring with His death on the cross, and the second occurring three days later when an angel descended and rolled back the stone from the tomb on Resurrection Day. Jesus life follows the 7 feasts of Israel. We know He was crucified at Passover, He was the last and perfect lamb. I believe He was born at Tabernacles, as an interesting verse in John says, "He tabernacled among us." An interesting choice of words. Also, he was born 6 months after John the Baptist.

[etcheberrybuz]

04:07 PM on 04/08/2013

Most scholars agree that there was only one. Matthew being the only one mentioning another, and in conjunction with the stone being rolled back, it is believed he mentioned the earth shaking due to the stone's size.

[Brad Watson - Miami]

09:26 PM on 04/04/2013

GOD=7_4, 7/4=July 4th or 7 April

Jesus(74=J10+E5+S19+U21+S19) was born on April 17, 6 BC / 17.4.748 AUC. Y'shua(74=Y25+S19+H8+U21+A1) was crucified on April 7, 30 AD / 7.4.783 / Nisan 15 3790 Heb.

See http://7seals.blogspot.com

[dendimelo]

01:54 PM on 03/29/2013

Some people believe one fairytale is true, and that is the only true fairytale. If one is true then all are true. If it is based on faith, then have faith, don't look for proofs. Respect other people's faith and your faith will be respected.

[deamu1965]

08:24 AM on 04/05/2013

Horrible logic.

[samearl]

12:28 PM on 04/06/2013

I rather like that logic!

[Benjamin Colin]

09:50 AM on 03/29/2013

I'm perplexed about the "Shroud". The image is that of a man that appears to be in 'his 60's or. 70's. I've always assumed that Jesus started his ministry in his 30's and after 3 years doing so was crucified upon the cross. HM?

[mikebw1]

11:08 AM on 05/01/2013

You've got to take into consideration people back then didn't have the air conditioning and heating systems we have. After all you are meat. There's also being in the sun more than people are today. They didn't travel in air conditioned cars. They were in the direct sun light. Their diet was also different. Then there were the hours Jesus kept. He was busy non-stop. Also right before being crucified he was treated very, very roughly to say the least. All of that put together would age anyone. Even today in some places overseas they age quicker than we do in America.

[secondcoming]

09:57 PM on 01/05/2013

"didn't happen, at least not on the day he died."

Book of George Prophet George

[windy712]

02:56 PM on 12/30/2012

I AM SO GLAD THAT THE QUAKE REVEALS THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS'S CRUCIFIXION .FOR THE UNBELIEVERS TO SEE .

[samearl]

12:35 PM on 04/06/2013

The quake reveals the truth about Jesus' crucifixion for the believers to see .The unbelievers see it as grasping for straws. There is a whole lot of supposition in this article and about 2% science.

[CJB59]

09:11 PM on 04/30/2013

Windy, based on my experience with folks that do not believe, which includes me not too long ago, nothing short of personal experience with the divine will permit them to see. The denial is so great that anything less is simply dismissed. The Lord set it up like this when He gave us free will and an ego.

[Debbie L Garrison]

06:26 AM on 12/12/2012

The resurrection of Christ was in fact written in the bible (3days) = spirit form
for the non believers and are thinking of ZOMBIES not... corpse = demonized

[huntingtreasures]

09:25 AM on 03/29/2013

Did you read it or come to that conclusion from the headline We have specifically clarified that the date of April 3, 33 can only be arrived at as a possibility through Biblical citation, and not purely through geological evidence.

[Bob Shuttleworth]

12:18 PM on 12/11/2012

Probably as good a guess as any. And I emphasize "guess." There are other events that assist in determining the date: It was the week of the Jewish Passover; We know that Pilate was the Roman Governor; We know that Herod's son was the Jewish political leader and that Caiaphas was the Jewish Chief Priest. Adding a geological event only assists in determining that date. It is the correlation of all of the known facts that can assist us in determining the exact date of Jesus crucifixion. His "death" on the cross, however, and his subsequent resurrection is the true question, and THAT is a question of faith. If you believe, the exact date is immaterial. If you do not believe, no date will suffice.

[diannerpowers]

10:36 PM on 03/15/2013

There is NO proof that Jesus ever existed if so what is your proof? Don't say in the Bible as there are a thousand things in the bible that are just stories.

[Bob Shuttleworth]

02:49 AM on 03/16/2013

There IS a secondary source that mentions a Prophet named Jesus at the correct time in history, ... the Quran.

(From Wikipedia; Edited to fit in this space:)
In Islam, Isa, (Jesus) is considered to be a Messenger of God and the Masih (Messiah) sent to guide the Children of Israel. The belief in Jesus (and all other messengers of God) is required in Islam. The Quran mentions Jesus by name twenty-five times. (it only mentions Muhammad by name four times), and further states Jesus had a virginal conception, by God's (Allah's) decree. Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles (such as healing the blind, bringing dead people back to life, etc.).

According to the Quran, Jesus was a Muslim (one who submits to the will of God), rejects the view that Jesus was the son of God, or that he was ever crucified, resurrected, or atoned for the sins of mankind., stating that Jesus never claimed any of these things. The Quran emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal whohad been divinely chosen to spread God's message.

Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Quran and Islamic literature, the most common being al-Masīḥ ("the messiah"). In general Muslims believe Jesus was the last prophet sent by God to guide the Children of Israel, was a precursor to Muhammad, and is believed to have foretold the latter's coming. Muslims believe that Jesus will return to earth near the Day of Judgment to restore justice.

[Janine Lea]

09:02 AM on 03/29/2013

Dianne, there are other books. The Jewish historian Josephus who lived at the time of Jesus spoke of the Christ. Of his life and works and death. Tacitus a Roman also wrote of Jesus. Of his death under Pilate.

For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who do not, no proof will ever be enough.

[jonny dipstick]

11:11 AM on 12/11/2012

What a bunch of made up nothing. They are really trying to force this. Maybe now that more and more people have education, you can understand why less and less people care about religion.

[tygrrrress]

01:00 PM on 12/11/2012

There are far more people who believe than don't. What's it to you if faith gives someone something to hold on to? To give hope to? Why do atheists find it so necessary to force their unbelief on the faithful?

If believers are wrong then they go into a void and that's that. If the unfaithful are wrong, they have all of eternity to regret their failure to believe.

[jonny dipstick]

01:55 PM on 12/11/2012

Yeah, because the problem has always been atheists pushing beliefs on people. That is laughable. I don't have a problem with you believing that stuff, but I do have a problem with you working against science because it conflicts with what you were brainwashed into believing instead of just thinking for yourself.

[koolv2]

05:21 PM on 05/01/2013

Definition of faith: The ability to believe something you know is not true" lol

[Marion Harris]

03:11 PM on 12/11/2012

Are you saying, geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geosciences, are uneducated?

[jonny dipstick]

03:30 PM on 12/11/2012

Education in religion is like education in fiction. You can learn a lot, but you are living in an false world.

[mwha0422]

09:30 AM on 12/11/2012

Why they left the shroud of Turin to be determined by the Italians eludes me there is so many other countries more technologically advanced then the Italians and lets face it Italians love to debate everything and just believe the shroud should be examined by another group with more advanced means than the Italians and I agree till you absolutely sure it is all conjecture and to those of us who believe we dont need proof it is those that dont who need the proof.

[quatch]

11:25 PM on 12/10/2012

Well, well, well what can you say.

[Odyssey51]

11:25 PM on 12/10/2012

Talk, conjecture, arbitrary speculation, surmising. Crap. Until you have proof that a tomb is Christ's, that science says there is no doubt of an earthquake that the Crucifixtion occurred on a certain date, close thy pie and continue thy research without interruption until you have something that doesn't make us yawn. Boohaaa.

[etcheberrybuz]

09:20 AM on 12/11/2012

I believe in God, his creation and that life evolves.

What I find amusing about your comment is you only direct it at one side. There is a lot of conjecture/theory in science that many believe and continues to be spoken of. Should that stop as well? After all, there is NO proof of a big bang or life being created from the primordial soup. Taking leaps 'of faith' exists on both sides. While I believe dinosaurs did exist I also know that many of the ones created by man are done with little fossil evidence and in some cases not even a complete leg much less the rest of it.

Well...bottom line for me is simple...our generation scoffs at earlier ones. We marvel at what we have discovered without realizing that future generations will scoff at us. And science is just as guilty of conjecture as religion.

[bd64kcmo]

10:12 AM on 12/11/2012

etcheberrybuz, I could not have said it better. These militant atheists keep peeing in the wind trying to get the rest of us to give up hope.

[Odyssey51]

12:32 PM on 12/11/2012

That's the point, our generation scoffs at earlier ones and that's what makes people question. For example, we know that the ancient Greeks believed in Zeus, Hera, Hector, Apollo living on some mountain nobody dared climb and threw lightning bolts when they were mad. We laugh at these superstitions now because we're advanced enough to realize the were naive myths created by imaginative minds. What will they say about us in 1,000 years? They'll laugh and ridicule us for believing in a person living in an unknown realm called Heaven and some dirty, evil, fallen angel with wings living in a brutal, high-temperature world somewhere in the belly of the Earth. I was baptized catholic but I guess I'm an agnostic. It's hard to believe without some kind of proof and we have nothing.

[jonny dipstick]

11:12 AM on 12/11/2012

Exactly! Who believes this crap?!