The Most Important Historical Clue
Introduction
In the previous article, we explored why many historians believe Jesus was born earlier than AD 1. One of the strongest pieces of evidence comes from the reign of Herod the Great.
The Gospel account of Jesus’ birth places it during the final years of Herod’s rule. Because the date of Herod’s death can be estimated with reasonable historical confidence, it provides an important clue for determining when Jesus was born.
Herod the Great in Historical Context
Herod the Great ruled Judea as a client king under the Roman Empire from approximately 37 BC to 4 BC. His reign is well documented in ancient historical records, particularly in the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.
Josephus describes Herod as a powerful but controversial ruler. He undertook major building projects, including the expansion of the Jerusalem Temple, but he was also known for political paranoia and harsh actions against perceived threats.
These historical descriptions correspond closely with the character portrayed in the Gospel narrative.
The Gospel Account
According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was born during the reign of Herod. The narrative describes how wise men, often called the Magi, travelled from the east after observing a star that signified the birth of a new king (Matthew 2:1–2).
When Herod heard about this, he became deeply disturbed. Fearing a rival, he ordered the killing of male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16).
Although this event is not recorded in other surviving historical sources, it fits the pattern of Herod’s behaviour described by ancient historians.
The Death of Herod
The timing of Herod’s death is a crucial factor in dating the birth of Jesus. The historian Flavius Josephus records that Herod died shortly after a lunar eclipse and before the Jewish festival of Passover (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 17.6–8).
Astronomers have identified a lunar eclipse visible in Judea on 13 March 4 BC. Because Passover followed soon after, most historians place Herod’s death in 4 BC (Finegan, 1998).
This date is widely accepted in modern historical research.
Implications for the Birth of Jesus
If Herod died in 4 BC, and Jesus was born during his reign, then the birth of Jesus must have occurred before that year.
The Gospel of Matthew also suggests that some time passed between the birth of Jesus and Herod’s order to kill the children of Bethlehem. Herod targeted children up to two years old, which may indicate that Jesus had already been born for some time.
For this reason, many scholars estimate that Jesus was likely born between 6 BC and 4 BC.
A Reasonable Historical Window
Combining the Gospel narrative with the historical date of Herod’s death produces a reasonable range for the birth of Jesus:
| Possible Birth Year | Reason |
|---|---|
| 6 BC | allows time for the events surrounding the Magi |
| 5 BC | fits some astronomical theories about the star |
| 4 BC | latest possible date before Herod’s death |
Although the exact year cannot be determined with certainty, most historians agree that Jesus was born a few years earlier than AD 1.
Conclusion
The reign and death of Herod the Great provide one of the most important historical clues for dating the birth of Jesus. Because the Gospel accounts place Jesus’ birth during Herod’s rule, and historical evidence indicates that Herod died in 4 BC, Jesus must have been born before that date.
This conclusion explains why many scholars today suggest a birth window between 6 BC and 4 BC.
In the next article, we will explore another intriguing element of the birth narrative: the mysterious Star of Bethlehem and the astronomical theories that attempt to explain it.
References
Finegan, J., 1998. Handbook of Biblical Chronology: Principles of Time Reckoning in the Ancient World and Problems of Chronology in the Bible. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
Josephus, F., 1987. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. Translated by W. Whiston. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.