Jesus Born Just Before Passover

At last, I have posted another new article. A worthwhile addition, in my not-so-modest opinion. Although I began writing this article with some hesitation, I have since become firmly convinced that I should publish it.

Over the years, I have read a great deal about the timing of Jesus’ birth. From Bullinger, among others, who wrote that Jesus’ birth coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles, to Dr. Martin, who claimed that Jesus’ birth took place on Jewish New Year’s Day (1 Tishri).

Both possibilities have always interested me greatly, because I start from the assumption that Jesus’ birth must in some way be related to “the appointed times of the LORD.” The great question, however, is: how?

When I came across Luke 2:42 earlier this year while studying the concordant interlinear, it gradually became clear to me that this verse contains the key to determining the time of Jesus’ birth. Although it seems linguistically somewhat difficult, I am now convinced that it should be translated as follows:

“And when He BECAME twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast.”

As I investigated this further for myself, I was astonished again and again. The manger, the Passover lamb, Palm Sunday, Jesus’ circumcision, the timing of Mary’s conception, and the birth of John the Baptist – all these matters fell into a single, ordered perspective.

Although I had never read or heard anyone suggest that Jesus’ birth took place on Nisan 10 – hence my hesitation – the view presented here is, as far as I know, the only one grounded in an explicit statement of Scripture. Typology supports the whole beautifully, but it does not serve as proof in itself.

Nevertheless, I warmly invite everyone to read my article on this subject not only with an open mind, but critically as well.

See: Jesus’ Birth and the Passover

I hope, by the way, that every visitor to my site understands that all my articles are provisional to some degree. Even though, according to some, I sometimes come across as rather too self-assured.

I write according to the light I have on a subject at a given moment. Should it turn out that I am mistaken on one or more points, I would be glad to hear it. I always hope to retain the flexibility to revise my views in part – or even completely – wherever the facts compel me to do so.

Under the motto: the truth, nothing but the truth, and the whole truth.

Also read: Responses to “Jesus’ Birth Just Before Passover”

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