1. The Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 17: "22 Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your forefathers." See also, The Book of Exodus, Chapter 16.22-30.

  2. Josephus, Antiquities, Book XVI, Chapter 6.

  3. TheBook of Matthew, Chapter 27: "62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate."

    TheBook of Mark, Chapter 15: "42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath)..."

    TheBook of Luke, Chapter 23: "54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin."

    TheBook of John, Chapter 19: "14 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews."

  4. Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, Chapter IV: "The Day of Christ's Crucifixion" (Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1977) ISBN 0-310-26211-9.

    If you are interested in scholarly analysis of the date of the execution, Hoehner is an excellent reference.

  5. The Book of John, Chapter 13: "1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."

  6. Judeans reckoned the 24-hour day from sunset-to-sunset. The Book of Leviticus, Chapter 33: "5 The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.."

    Gallileans, like Jesus, apparently reckoned the 24-hour day from sunrise-to-sunrise. This is the day-reckoning of the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Jesus and the disciples ate the Passover meal on the Thursday preceding the crucifixion, at what we call the Last Supper. See, Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, Chapter IV: "The Day of Christ's Crucifixion" (Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1977) ISBN 0-310-26211-9.

  7. As examples, Tacitus states in The Annals, Book XV that "Christus, from whom the name ['Christian'] had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus..."

    Josephus records in Antiquities, Book XVIII that "...Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned [Christ] to the cross..."

  8. Josephus records in Antiquities, Book XVIII that "...Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome Tiberius was dead." Tiberius died on March 16, 37 AD See also, section 620, Jack Finegan, The Handbook of Biblical Chronology (Revised Edition; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998) ISBN 1-56563-143-9.

  9. The Book of Luke, Chapter 3, verse 23.

  10. The Book of John, Chapter 2: "23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name." Chapter 6: "4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near." And Chapter 13: "(John 13:1, NIV) 1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."

  11. Table 179, Jack Finegan, The Handbook of Biblical Chronology (Revised Edition; Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998) ISBN 1-56563-143-9.

  12. Tacitus, The Annals, Book IV

  13. Philo of Alexandria, notes in In Flaccum, I, Sejanus' "...hatred of and hostile designs against the Jewish nation."

  14. Tacitus thought the Jewish religion "tasteless and mean," and the Jews themselves the "vilest of nations."The Histories, Book V.

  15. Philo of Alexandria, De Virtutibus Prima Pars, Quod Est De Legatione Ad Gaium, XXXIX: "...now the thing proposed to be erected is a colossal statue... in the inmost part of the temple, in the very holy of holies itself..."

  16. Josephus, Wars, Book II, Chapter 9 reports how contributions made to the temple were seized by Pilate for use on Roman aqueducts.

  17. The Book of Luke, 13.1: "Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices."

  18. The Book of John Chapter 19: "19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write `The King of the Jews', but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews." 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

  19. Philo of Alexandria, De Virtutibus Prima Pars, Quod Est De Legatione Ad Gaium, XXXVIII.

  20. Philo of Alexandria, De Virtutibus Prima Pars, Quod Est De Legatione Ad Gaium, XXIV: "...things in Italy were thrown into a great deal of confusion when Sejanus was preparing to make his attempt against our nation; for [Tiberius] knew immediately after [Sejanus'] death that the accusations which had been brought against the Jews who were dwelling in Rome were false calumnies, inventions of Sejanus, who was desirous to destroy our nation... And he sent commands to all the governors of provinces in every country to comfort those of our nation in their respective cities, as the punishment intended to be inflicted was not meant to be inflicted upon all, but only on the guilty; and they were but few. And he ordered them to change none of the existing customs, but to look upon them as pledges, since the men were peaceful in their dispositions and natural characters, and their laws trained them and disposed them to quiet and stability."

  21. The Book of Daniel, Chapter 1: "1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand..."

    Malamat, Abraham, Caught Between the Great Powers, Biblical Archaeology Review, ISSN-0098-9444, Volume 25, Number 9, July/August 1999.

  22. The Book of Daniel , Chapter 9: "16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. 17 "Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favour on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."

  23. For example, in the Book of Revelation , Chapter 11, verses 3 and 4, a period of 42 months is equated with 1260 days. These are lunar months of 30 days, a 360 day lunar year, like that used by the ancient Egyptians.

  24. The math is straightforward:
    7 x 7 = 49
    7 x 62 = 434
    49 + 434 = 483
    483 years x the 360-day lunar year = 173,880 days
    173,880 days / the 365.24 day solar year = 476 years in our calendar system

  25. The Book of Nehemiah , Chapter2: "1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before; 2 so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, "May the king live for ever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" 4 The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it." 6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. 7 I also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests."

  26. Harold W. Hoehner, Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ, Chapter VI: "Daniel's Seventy Weeks and New Testament Chronology" (Grand Rapids: Academie Books, 1977) ISBN 0-310-26211-9.

  27. TheBook of Acts, Chapter 1: "4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

  28. TheBook of Acts , Chapter 2.

  29. TheBook of Mark, Chapter 15: "33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour."

    As mentioned earlier, the gospel of Mark reckons the 24-hour day on Gallilean time, begining at sunrise, traditionally 6 A.M.. Thus, Mark is here reporting that the Sun was darkened from noon until 3 P.M..

  30. Colin J. Humphreys and W. G. Waddington, "Dating the Crucifixion," Nature Magazine, Volume 306, December 22/29, 1983.

  31. The Book of Isaiah, chapter 52: "14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him-- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness--"

  32. TheBook of John, Chapter 18: "13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year."

    And Chapter 18: "24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest."

  33. TheBook of Luke, Chapter 23: "11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.".

  34. TheBook of Luke, Chapter 23: "14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death."

  35. TheBook of Luke, Chapter 23: "18 With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"".

  36. TheBook of Mark, Chapter 15: "25 It was the third hour when they crucified him."

    As mentioned earlier, the gospel of Mark reckons the 24-hour day on Gallilean time, begining at sunrise, traditionally 6 A.M.. Thus, the third hour is 9 A.M..

  37. TheBook of Matthew, Chapter 27: "51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.".

  38. TheBook of Matthew, Chapter 27: "54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"".

  39. TheBook of Matthew, Chapter 27: "46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" --which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"Š 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.²."

    As mentioned earlier, the day was reckoned by hours, starting at 6 A.M.. Matthew is telling us that Jesus passed at about 3 P.M..

  40. TheBook of John, Chapter 19: "31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down."

  41. F. Richard Stephenson, Historical Eclipses and Earth's Rotation (Cambridge University Press, July 1997) ISBN 0-52146-194-4.

    Phlegon was a Greek freedman who wrote his histories during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD). His birthplace, Tralles, was near Ephesus.

    Phlegon's Olympiades are largely lost to history, but this fragment concerning the failure of the Sun is unusually well-attested. Seven ancient historians directly quote it: Eusibius, The Chronicon Alexandrinum, Syncellus, Jerom, Anastasius Bibliothecarius, The Historia Miscella and Freculphus Lexoviensis. Other ancients, such as Julius Africanus, Joannes Philoponus, Maximus, Malelas and Origen, cite Phlegon's account without quoting it. Kepler was familiar with Phlegon's report, as it caused trouble for one of his historical theories. (As discussed on this site, Kepler's mistaken understanding of First Century chronology led him to assert early dates for events in Christ's life).

    See, John Chapman, Phlegon Examined Critically and Impartially (Cambridge University Press, London, 1734) Chapman is long out-of-print, but is available in microform in some libraries.

  42. As Phlegon plainly understood, this was not an ordinary eclipse, and he describes it as extraordinary. What he may not have understood is that the darkening was not caused by the moon's shadow.

    Julius Africanus mentions Phlegon's report of the darkness, and also a similar report of the darkness by Thallus, who wrote his History circa 50-100 AD. Thallus' manuscripts have not survived, but Africanus perserves some of his writing by critiquing it. Specifically, Africanus faults Thallus for stating that the darkness was the result of a solar eclipse.

    "On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun."

    Africanus realized that a solar eclipse cannot occur at the time of the Passover full moon. The means of the darkening is yet a mystery, although continuing research may yield clues. An obvious candidate explanation is volcanism. Israel is in a sheering subduction zone, the Levant is studded with volcanos, and multiple sources record tectonic activity on the day of Christ's execution.