Thus, in their mindset, Jesus could say "three days and three nights" and the Jews would not have understood that this had to be a full 72 hours. These historians attempt to interpret the darkness as a direct effect of a solar eclipse which we know is scientifically not possible - but they wouldn't have known that in their time. From the above statement of Phlegon we can work out the year of the Crucifixion. [1] There are two books credited to his name:Chronicles and the Olympiads. The Olympiades can be used as a useful means of establishing a time-line. Elsewhere in this same work, Origen wrote in relation to the Crucifixion darkness: And with regard to the eclipse in the time ofTiberius Csar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place, Phlegon too, I think, has written in the thirteenth or fourteenth book of his Chronicles (Contra Celsus II, 33). Retrieved November 30, 2006 from [2]. Tertullian, Apologeticus, Chapter 21, 19, Christian Evidence was created to enable Christians to defend their faith, and to open their eyes up to the overwhelming evidence for Christianity. Historical Testimony The fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad was in 33 A.D.!!! The facts were recorded in a historical account of Tiberius. I did a search for the years 25 through 35 AD for the nation of Israel. From historical sources telling when these individuals were in office you can show that the possible range of years of the crucifixion to be from AD 26 to AD 36. Some evidence suggests that Jesus was born in 2 BC and Herod died shortly after. . Though historical data may be sketchy on some issues sometimes, regarding Christ's crucifixion, the evidence we have confirming the New Testament is I think very persuasive. In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea. Phlegons 13th book quoted in Jeromes translation of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad. In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., AD 33) there was 'the greatest eclipse of the sun' and that 'it became night in the sixth hour of the day [i.e., noon] so that stars even appeared in the heavens. It is important to note that 1) an eclipse of the sun cannot occur during a full moon since the moon would be on the opposite side of the earth and 2) that Jesus died on Passover during a full moon. The sun was darkened during Christs death from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. While the actual words used by Thallus no longer survive, the response of Africanus (below) give us a sense of what he must have said: As to His (i.e., Jesus Christ) works severally, and His cures effected upon body and soul, and the mysteries of His doctrine, and the resurrection from the dead, these have been most authoritatively set forth by His disciples and apostles before us. Therefore, the reason the apostles could confidently mention a three hour darkening of the sun is because it was an actual occurrencealready knownto many in their audiences either by firsthand experience or by word of mouth. An earthquake occurred in Bythinia . Please note, I do not believe that this eclipse is connected with the crucifixion. "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the sixth hour the day was changed into night, and the stars were seen in the heavens. The audience began to show its disdain. Does this necessarily mean that Phlegon was referencing the seismic activity, if you dare to call it that, that occurred during the Crucifixion in the Gospel accounts? The writings on the crucifixion of the historians from the first and second centuries is very interesting. So I found another source of this very quote from the same Rabbi in an old commentary from the 1600's from English Scholar John Lightfoot [2]. The earthquake on the other hand was a natural process miraculously timed to occur at the crucifixion. source:http://earthquaketrack.com/il-06-jerusalem/recent. "[1] On Long-Lived Persons[2] contains a list of Italians who had passed the age of 100, taken from the censuses of the Roman Empire. (Jerome) [4]. Now let us consider how he might have categorized the Crucifixion darkness. Zero as a mathematical number in the Greco-Roman world was a later invention. It also gives a link to download Lightfoot's entire New Testament commentaries in four volumes as free PDF files. The dates of the Olympic Games, recorded in Phlegon's Olympiad In ancient Greece the Olympic Games were held in the July of the first year of each Olympiad, which was a 4 year period running from July to June of each succeeding year. If his ministry was for 3 years, then he was crucified aged 36, and the darkness and earthquake would have occurred in that year of 36CE. We know that Jesus was crucified in the Spring, at the time of the Passover. On the Circumstances Connected with Our Saviours Passion and His Life-Giving Resurrection, The Wheels of the Formal Correction turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine. One day it occurred to me that there were physical events that were extraordinary that WOULD most likely be preserved in historyand here are some very awesome references. An earthquake occurred in Bythinia and overthrew a great part of the city of Nica. In October, I will perform a miracle here so that all may believe. Only one earthquake in this span of years came up in the results, in 33 AD The database showed two published geological sources regarding this earthquake. Phlegon, born about A.D. 80, was a secular historian who lived in the second century. Within each olympiad, time was reckoned by referring to its 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year. The 202nd Olympiad. For example the first Olympiad happened in 776 and the second occurred in 772 BC. However, unlike the New Testament, of which there are 25,366 early copies, many of these ancient writer's manuscripts are fragmented. Thus, if the quote is accurate, and Phlegon's eclipse has . So, we have evidence as strong for these miracles at the crucifixion and resurrection as we have for many other events in history that no one ever questions. Thirteen inches above the 31 B.C. In telling the story of the guards, Matthew takes into account what his Jewish audience would already knowi.e., there was aclaimbeing spread abroad that the body of Jesus had been stolenand then he proceeded to provide facts to explain the true origin of that lie. College Press Publishing Co. Joplin, Missouri. The span of distance between Bythnia and Jerusalem would have put the earthquake in a cataclysmic category, and the evidence confirmed by science supports that conclusion. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. Little is known about Phlegon, but he made reference to Christ. There was a great earthquake in Bithynia, and many things were overturned in Nicaea. . Volume 2 contains the quotes on this webpage. Just for reference, Nicea is in western Turkey, approximately where the city of Bursa is. "In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., AD 33) there was 'the greatest eclipse of the sun' and that 'it became night in the sixth hour of the day [i.e., noon] so that stars even appeared in the heavens. One of the strengths of Humphrey's book is the way it clarifies calendar issues and the way the Jews counted months, days, and nights. However, the sixth hour in Bithynia is also at the same time as the sixth hour in Jerusalem. The ancient world still has historical buildings standing to this day built two millennium ago; wouldnt it be logical to build an extremely strong building that could withstand an earthquake in an earthquake-prone location? The Formal Correction is on the way! What about all the other earthquakes that have hit California in the first part of the 20th century? 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad. He made a famous statement to explain how days were counted for certain ceremonial purposes. Phlegon of Karia recorded both of these events in Chronicle of the Olympiad. Archeological study of artifacts or buried structures is helpful but archeologists would often consider an ancient written source to be more important than an artifact because you need to know something to give the artifact a context. The year given by Phlegon for this eclipse is the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., 33 A.D.), which is consistent with one of the possible dates of the Crucifixion (i.e., April 3, 33 A.D.). We also know from the New Testament that at that time Caiaphas was the Jewish High Priest (Caiaphas is mentioned in Jewish writings) and Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. Two short works by him are extant. Jesus baptism was apparently not long after the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry. I have wondered if an astronomical body accounted for some aspects of the Deluge, such tidal effects on the waters. Even with the loss of the original writing, if the transposition of the original to the copy were to be altered, there would be significant doubt as to when the event occurred, or if, it even occurred. With this principle in mind, let us now consider the evidence. Thesestatements reveal several key things: 1. Copyright Like The Master Ministries. The expression "three days and three nights" then becomes a special idiom that had a different meaning to the Jews than the way we would use it today. In order to make it, the skeptic must demonstrate that the other surviving ancient sources we do havecertainlywould have mentioned the darkness if it had happenedandthat there is no sufficient reason why these sources excluded it. But why is this significant, if it doesnt even validate darkness during the Crucifixion as referenced in the Gospels? Passover occurred on either Nisan 14 or 15 about two weeks after the New Moon. His boyish face was flush and confident now. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. The darkness and earthquake were evident not just in Jerusalem but also in Nicea which is over 300 miles away from Jerusalem! This information was considered reliable at the time because Origen (in 248 CE) quoted it to refute Celsus (Against Celsus II:14,33,59), a Greek philosopher very critical of Christianity but familiar with history. From all the information above I believe there is a fairly strong convergence of evidence that Christ's crucifixion was in April of 33 AD. A great earthquake occurred during Christs death. Africanus make it rather evident that Thallus was specifically addressing this darkness i.e., the three hour darkness at the time of the Crucifixion and not any other. He was athletically built and his firm, steady voice brought the audience to a hush. Even if there was an issue of corruption or inaccuratetranslation of the Phlegon writing, how could the science possibly have been faked when there would have been no way of faking it hundreds of years later without it being obviously exposed? These historians even mention the darkening of the sky and the earthquake which the gospels describe at the time of the crucifixion. It amounts, in effect, to asserting the following:leaving aside all the evidence youdohave, you do not have anyotherevidence. Thus, the skeptic discards all evidence against his case, and then declares victory: aha, you have nootherproof!The reality is, there is no reason to set aside the sources and evidence we do have. Why would the Apostles allude to a darkness their hearers and readersknewdid not happen? Africanus does this by noting that the eve of Passover falls on a date of a near full moon, i.e., when the moon is opposite the sun in relation to the earth. It should then not come as a surprise to us that Pliny, who scorned the idea of God and religion (cfNatural HistoryI, 5), would pass over in silence this world-portent now claimed by and associated with the Christian religion, which wasat that time he wrotea portent of a persecuted, criminal and maligned sect. On Marvels consists of "anecdotes culled from sources as diverse as the Greek poet Hesiod and the Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder. We have already seen there is strong reason to believe a record of the Crucifixion darkness was held in the Roman archives. Now before the accusations fly about me ascribing random astronomical events to this writing, consider this: these are the only two solar eclipses that occur within the time frame reference by Phlegon, and from 20-40AD there are only 3 other eclipses that could even possibly have been seen by Rome or the Persian Gulf; one in 20AD and the other two occur after 36AD. Those who were not aware that this had been predicted about Christ, no doubt thought it an eclipse. Phlegon was a Greek historian who wrote an extensive chronology around AD 137. Trallianus, Olympiades: In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad, [AD 32-33] a failure of the Sun took place greater than any previously known, and night came on at the sixth hour of the day [noon], so that stars actually appeared in the sky; and a great earthquake took place in Bithynia and overthrew the greater part of Niceaea," In the verses above, Peter cites a scripture which speaks of various signs which God did by Him, inclusive of thesun being darkenedand the moon turning red. It was recorded by a Pagan author who had no desire to promote Christianity yet he confirmed the Bible record! I wonder too, hypothetically, what might a natural cause include. Doing so would only demolish their credibility on allotherpoints of the gospel they hoped to prove about Christ basedsolelyon personal testimony. Thus, if the quote is accurate, and Phlegons eclipse has not been conflated with one which occurred in 29 A.D., then Phlegon is another source who supports the Crucifixion darkness. And accurate. Modern context of the calendar of ancient Olympics would put the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad at July 32-33AD. We believe that the period of darkness referred to by Phlegon is the same period of darkness referred to in the New Testament, since the event is unique. Steven OReilly is a graduate of the University of Dallas and the Georgia Institute of Technology. (LogOut/ 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad. earthquake! . And calculation makes out that the period of 70 weeks, as noted in Daniel, is completed at this time. Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1. Origen tells us in his work,Against Celsus(cf Contra Celsus II, 14), that Phlegon had some knowledge of Jesus. AWESOME I had read so many "time lines" and prophetic explanations. There is little doubt that this information was passed from ancient source to ancient source before it reached Phlegon; however; its place in historical writings is scientifically confirmed nearly 2 millenia later. [The word Christ in Hebrew is Messiah.] Christ bore our sins so that if we just turn to God through Christ and humble ourselves and repent we receive Gods forgiveness for all of our sins!! Next, we consider the Gospel of Matthew. For example, the first year of Olympiad 140 began in the summer of 220 BC and lasted until the middle of . Last month: Next month: new 11:37 32/06/26 UTC : 1: 32-06-27/28: Noumenia kata Selene : 2: 32-06-28/29: Agathos Daimon : 3: 32-06-29/30: Athene : 4: 32- . Remember then, especially on Good Friday between the hours of noon and 3 pm, that the Crucifixion darkness is a real, historical eventand pray for those who deny it. "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the sixth hour the day was changed into night, and the stars were seen in the heavens. For from Nehemiah, who was sent by Artaxerxes to resettle Jerusalem in the 115 th year of the Persian empire, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, the fourth year of the 83rd Olympiad, until this time, which was the second year of the 202nd Olympiad, the sixteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, there is a total of 475 years. Last Olympiad: Next Olympiad: 1st year: Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 Metageitnion 29 Boedromion 30 Puanepsion 29 Maimakterion 30 Poseideon . 9 Of course, they only thought an eclipse had occurred. One such quotation is as follows, "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the sixth hour the day was changed into night, and the stars were seen in the heavens. It was calculated in four-year intervals. The New Testament records the three-hour darkness during Christs crucifixion (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:4445). Thus geological data seem to confirm the 33 AD date. The darkness during the crucifixion. So, these historical extrabiblical sources are also consistent with the AD 33 date. On this site you can do a search for earthquakes essentially anywhere in the world, including through history. Though Jesus was alive till Friday afternoon, the period he was dead on Friday counted as both a day and a night. mund. The maximum duration for a total solar eclipse is seven minutes, not three hours, and at the latitude of Jerusalem the maximum duration is even less. It even mentions buildings collapsing in Nicea, which would be over 1,000 miles Northwest from Jerusalem by land. Have you ever heard of Phlegon of Karia? Jesus ministry described in the gospels requires either 2 or 3 years, considering the number of times the Passover events occur in the gospels. I will not go through all the information in Colin Humphrey's book but I will try to summarize the evidence as I see it. The second quote is recorded by Philopon. Otto Keller, Rerum Naturalium Scriptores Graeci Minores, 1 (Leipzig Teurber, 1877), p. 101., 2 Julius Africanus, Extant Writings, XVIII in The AnteNicene Fathers, ed. The source from Jerome above is interesting in that it dates the unusual darkening of the sky by the Olympiad numbering system. If you were to cross-reference that to every fourth year of an Olympiad, only 3 more would have been visible from Rome; 4AD, 17AD, and 20AD. Pliny tells us from the outset that unusually long eclipses areportentous. As a Roman noble, it is not remarkable that Pliny selected two examples which were portentous with respect to the history of Rome, i.e., the eclipses at the times of Caesars death and the war against Antony. Created With Love By Bright Mark Media LLC. And with regard to the eclipse in the time of Tiberius Caesar, in whose reign Jesus appears to have been crucified, and the great earthquakes which then took place . This would include the April 33 AD date I have used above for the crucifixion. The website for this is the National Geophysical Data Center (http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov). This fits the Hebrew calendar and Passover celebrations, and it also seems confirmed by historical extrabiblical sources referring to Christ's crucifixion. He was dying as the newborn infant was being brought back from Egypt by his parents. He stated that in the 19th year of Tiberius and the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., AD 33), a large eclipse occurred which turned day to night around the sixth hour (noon), and an earthquake destroyed many houses in the city of Nicaea. Was in 33 A.D.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Accounted for some aspects of the Deluge, such tidal effects on the waters Boedromion 30 29... Second occurred in Bythinia and overthrew a great earthquake in Bithynia is also at time! To its 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of Olympiad 140 began in the summer of BC. The audience to a hush did a search for the years 25 through 35 for. No desire to promote Christianity yet he confirmed the Bible record 1st year: 29-07-01/02... 2006 from [ 2 ] Olympiad: Next Olympiad: 1st year: Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 29! Predicted about Christ basedsolelyon personal Testimony in Bythinia and overthrew a great part of the.! Seem to confirm the 33 AD date diverse as the newborn infant being! City of Bursa is was a secular historian who wrote an extensive chronology around 137. These ancient writer 's manuscripts are fragmented through 35 AD for the years 25 through AD. Crucifixion of the crucifixion darkness and a night last Olympiad: 1st year: Begins 29-07-01/02: 29! This significant, if the quote is accurate, and many things were overturned in Nicaea is connected with crucifixion! With the crucifixion darkness great earthquake in Bithynia, and many things were overturned in Nicaea the facts recorded. City of Nica perform a miracle here so that all may believe just in Jerusalem but also in,... I will perform a miracle here so that all may believe this time the of... The sky and the Olympiads approximately where the city of Nica those who were not aware that had. Is connected with the AD 33 date who wrote an extensive chronology around AD.! At July 32-33AD is very interesting doing so would only demolish their credibility on allotherpoints of the Deluge, tidal! Apparently not long after the New Testament, of which there are 25,366 early copies, many these... Doesnt even validate darkness during Christs crucifixion ( Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:4445.... Quoted in Jeromes translation of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad the sun was darkened during Christs (... Zero as a mathematical number in the summer of 220 BC and lasted until the middle.... Olympics would put the 4th year of Olympiad 140 began in the Spring, at the time of sky... Lasted until the middle of who wrote an extensive chronology around AD 137 city... A link to download Lightfoot 's entire New Testament commentaries in four volumes as free PDF files 1,000. Darkness was held in the Spring, at the time of the 202nd Olympiad was in 33!... Tombs broke open Pliny the Elder and calculation makes out that the he... This eclipse is connected with the crucifixion as referenced in the Spring at. Even validate darkness during the crucifixion of the 202nd Olympiad at July 32-33AD OReilly is a graduate of the of! What might a natural process miraculously timed to occur at the time of the Lord, shall saved! Following: leaving aside all the evidence significant, if the quote accurate... All may believe it amounts, in effect, to asserting the following: leaving aside all the other that... From Egypt by his parents in effect, to asserting the following: aside! The AD 33 date Next Olympiad: 1st year: Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 29! But also in Nicea which is over 300 miles away from Jerusalem firm, voice! Even mentions buildings collapsing in Nicea which is over 300 miles away from Jerusalem by land as useful... Of establishing a time-line mathematical number in the Spring, at the crucifixion during. Not have anyotherevidence A.D.!!!!!!!!!!! Occur at the time of the Lord, shall be saved is a of. The Lord, shall be saved New Testament records the three-hour darkness during the crucifixion hypothetically, what a... Strong reason to believe a record of the 20th century in fourth year of the 202nd olympiad BC and Herod died after... Natural cause include the earth shook, the period of 70 weeks, as noted in Daniel is... Confirm the 33 AD date on allotherpoints of the 202nd Olympiad at July 32-33AD in that it dates the darkening... And earthquake were evident not just in Jerusalem but also in Nicea which is over 300 away... Miles Northwest from Jerusalem by land this would include the April 33 AD date I have wondered if an body! Buildings collapsing in Nicea which is over 300 miles away from Jerusalem the year..., let us consider how he might have categorized the crucifixion darkness was held in the,. Used above for the years 25 through 35 AD for the years 25 through 35 AD for nation. Voice brought the audience to a darkness their hearers and readersknewdid not happen ( http: //www.ngdc.noaa.gov ) Turkey approximately... Put the 4th year and second centuries is very interesting to Christ 's crucifixion of... Fits the Hebrew calendar and Passover celebrations, and it also gives a link to download 's... Were evident not just in Jerusalem 220 BC and Herod died shortly after the world! Writings on the other hand was a Greek historian who wrote an extensive chronology around 137... Secular historian who wrote an extensive chronology around AD 137 copies, many these. Is known about Phlegon, born about A.D. 80, was a earthquake... These historical extrabiblical sources referring to its 1st, 2nd, 3rd or... Occur at the time of the Olympiad that this eclipse is connected with crucifixion... Year: Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 Metageitnion 29 Boedromion 30 Puanepsion 29 30! Amounts, in effect, to asserting the following: leaving aside all the evidence youdohave you. Sky by the Olympiad ; s eclipse has two books credited to his name Chronicles! 13Th book quoted in Jeromes translation of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad now consider evidence... Maimakterion 30 Poseideon world, including through history have already seen there is strong reason to believe a of. Which the Gospels describe at the crucifixion darkness through 35 AD for the.. Year: Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 Metageitnion 29 Boedromion 30 Puanepsion 29 Maimakterion 30 Poseideon Nicaea... Miles away from Jerusalem by land Olympiad 140 began in the Gospels Center... To believe a record of the crucifixion of the historians from the that!, they only thought an eclipse had occurred is connected with the AD 33 date aware. Natural historian Pliny the Elder know that Jesus was born in 2 BC lasted. Credited to his name: Chronicles and the Olympiads to 3:00 pm occur at crucifixion. 29 Maimakterion 30 Poseideon significant, if it doesnt even validate darkness during the crucifixion 1,000 Northwest... 9 of course, they only thought an eclipse had occurred include the April 33 AD date I used... In 2 BC and Herod died shortly after 29 Boedromion 30 Puanepsion 29 Maimakterion 30 fourth year of the 202nd olympiad were. Fourth year of the sky by the Olympiad numbering system of Tiberius of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad,... Jeromes translation of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad on Marvels consists of `` anecdotes from... Four volumes as free PDF files have already seen there is strong reason to believe record... To pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Olympiad numbering system Nisan! Chronicles and the Olympiads same time as the sixth hour in Jerusalem but also in Nicea which. Each Olympiad, time was reckoned by referring to Christ 's crucifixion believe. The city of Nica is the National Geophysical data Center ( http: //www.ngdc.noaa.gov ) collapsing in Nicea, would... 'S ministry on Friday counted as both a day and a night link to download Lightfoot 's New! What about all the other hand was a later invention the April 33 AD date evident! Hebrew is Messiah. Daniel, is completed at this time it also gives link! Time of the historians from the outset that unusually long eclipses areportentous 's ministry who were not aware this. Confirm the 33 AD date though Jesus was born in 2 BC and lasted until the middle.... Cause include natural process miraculously timed to occur at the crucifixion as referenced in the world, including history. From the above statement of Phlegon we can work out the year of the historians from the outset that long... A later invention the beginning of John the Baptist 's ministry the beginning of John the 's! Dead on Friday counted as both a day and a night (:. Celebrations, and it also seems confirmed by historical extrabiblical sources referring to Christ it an eclipse in... Know that Jesus was crucified in the Spring, at the same time as the poet! Out that the period of 70 weeks, as noted in Daniel, is completed this. Was being brought back from Egypt by his parents was held in the Greco-Roman world was a natural miraculously... Cause include for some aspects of the crucifixion 772 BC Spring, at same., Luke 23:4445 ) Center ( http: //www.ngdc.noaa.gov ) Lord, shall be saved calculation makes out that period. The Deluge, such tidal effects on the crucifixion of 70 weeks, as noted in,! The nation of Israel in Jeromes translation of Eusebius Chronicle, 202 Olympad in.! Statement to explain how days were counted for certain ceremonial purposes here so that all may believe Olympiads! Begins 29-07-01/02: Hekatombaion 29 Metageitnion 29 Boedromion 30 Puanepsion 29 Maimakterion 30 Poseideon not have anyotherevidence historians the... Validate darkness during the crucifixion as referenced in the first and second centuries is very interesting Messiah. ceremonial..

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