When was Jesus crucified?

I. Introduction

Many have asked about the precise date on which Jesus was crucified. Various factors come into play when examining this question: the biblical narrative of the Gospels, the chronology of Jewish feasts, Roman historical background, and broader evidences from early historians. Studying these sources together can offer a faithful and comprehensive picture.

II. Biblical Timeline and Prophetic Expectations

From the Old Testament onward, certain prophecies foreshadow the coming Messiah’s death, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Notably, Daniel 9:24–27 anticipates a period often referred to as the “Seventy Weeks.” Scholars have long connected this prophecy to events culminating in approximately the early first century AD.

Following this approach, the ministry of Jesus fits within a timeline that began with John the Baptist (Luke 3:1–3). Multiple lines of evidence point to Jesus’ public ministry lasting around three years (see John’s references to several Passovers: John 2:13, John 6:4, John 11:55), placing His crucifixion near the Jewish Passover at the end of His ministry.

III. Historical Context: Jewish and Roman Calendars

1. Jewish Calendar and the Passover

Passover coincided with the 14th day of Nisan (Leviticus 23:5). The Jewish day began at sunset, meaning that certain events might seem to straddle two days in modern thought. As described in the Gospels, Jesus was crucified near Passover (Matthew 26:2; Mark 14:1).

2. Roman Influence in Judea

Pontius Pilate governed Judea under Roman authority from around AD 26 to AD 36. The Gospels place Jesus’ trial under Pilate’s prefecture (Matthew 27:2; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18:28). This historical bracket confines the date of the crucifixion to the narrower window within Pilate’s tenure.

IV. Key Gospel Testimonies

1. John’s Gospel

John’s account often mentions Jewish feasts. According to John, Jesus was condemned on the “day of Preparation” for the Passover (John 19:14). This suggests Jesus’ crucifixion occurred when lambs for Passover were normally being sacrificed (John 19:31).

2. Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

The Synoptics unite in teaching that Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover meal, often referred to as the Last Supper, before His arrest (Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–20). They collectively recount that He was tried by night, brought to Pilate, and crucified during daylight hours.

3. The Day and Hour

All four Gospels depict Christ’s crucifixion taking place on what would be our Friday, before the Sabbath (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31). Some interpret references to the “third hour” (Mark 15:25) or “sixth hour” (John 19:14) with minor variations, yet the consistent point is that it was before evening of the Sabbath.

V. Suggested Years for the Crucifixion

1. AD 30

Many scholars propose AD 30 (or sometimes AD 29) as a probable date, placing the Passover around Friday, April 7 (by some modern calculations), following the Jewish calendar’s alignment with the Roman system of that era.

2. AD 33

Another widely cited possibility is Friday, April 3, AD 33. This date arises from certain astronomical data regarding lunar phases and how Passover might have fallen that year. Additionally, some rely on the length of Christ’s ministry and compare it with historical records surrounding Pilate’s time in office.

Either date satisfies the core biblical assertion that Jesus was crucified under Pilate’s authority, during Passover, on a Friday before the Sabbath. While absolute certainty about the exact day in our modern calendar can be elusive, the biblical framework remains coherent and unwavering.

VI. The Passover Connection

Crucial to pinpointing the date of Jesus’ crucifixion is the significance of Passover. From a biblical standpoint, Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Gospels emphasize that He died concurrently with or near the temple sacrifice of Passover lambs, reinforcing the theological dimension that He takes away sin for those who believe.

VII. Confirming Sources and Archaeological Notes

1. Writings of Josephus and Tacitus

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3) and the Roman historian Tacitus (Annals 15.44) mention Jesus and His execution under Pontius Pilate. While they do not give a date in the modern sense, their testimony corroborates the biblical outline that Jesus’ crucifixion occurred during that specific period of Roman government.

2. Archaeological Evidence and Ossuaries

Discoveries in the vicinity of Jerusalem, including crucifixion victim remains (such as the famous Yehohanan ossuary), attest that crucifixion during the era of the second temple was a genuine Roman practice. These archaeological findings give a real-world backdrop to the manner and time in which Jesus was put to death.

3. Calendrical Considerations

Ancient calendars depended heavily on observations of the lunar cycle, making direct “day-to-day” alignment with our modern Gregorian calendar challenging. Nevertheless, approximate correspondences are frequently drawn from lunar reconstructions and textual references.

VIII. The Purpose Underlying the Timing

Passover itself was no accident in God’s bigger plan. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was crucified at the precise time to fulfill the types and foreshadowings laid out in Exodus and Levitical law. This underscores the biblical claim that God orchestrated these events to achieve redemption at exactly the right point in history.

IX. Summary and Theological Significance

• Jesus’ crucifixion happened between AD 29–33, most likely on a Friday, coinciding with the Passover feast.

• Biblical accounts consistently connect His death to the Passover timeline, identifying Christ as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

• Early historians, along with Jewish and Roman sources, confirm Jesus died under Pontius Pilate’s jurisdiction.

• Outside archaeological discoveries and references affirm that crucifixion was a common Roman penalty in that era.

Whether one leans toward AD 30 or AD 33 hinges on how the Jewish calendar aligns with the Roman system and upon the interpretation of certain details in the Gospel texts. In either case, theologically and historically, Scripture steadfastly affirms that Jesus was crucified during Passover, and the historical data converge around this essential theme.

X. Concluding Thoughts

Though discussions about the calendar can be lively, the overarching truth transcends the specific year: Christ’s death took place at Passover, fulfilling prophecy and symbolically marking Him as the ultimate sacrifice. In that sense, the exactly dated details serve to highlight the reliability of the biblical accounts, which agree that Christ was crucified under Pilate, before the Sabbath, during the Jewish Passover. All these evidences—from biblical narratives to corroborating documents—support a unified conclusion that Scripture is consistent in its teaching regarding the timing of Jesus’ crucifixion.