A very interesting and well argued paper dating the crucifixion and related dates in the life of Jesus based on biblical, historical and astronomical evidence. The authors put forward two possible dates of Friday, 7 April AD30 and Friday, 3 April AD33 and then argue for the later date as it also coincides with a lunar eclipse as (obliquely) referred to in the Book of Acts. They also point out that AD33 is more consistent with Pilate's behaviour given changes in Roman policy towards the Jews that occurred in AD31.
I have always been partial to the AD30 date as it implies that the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem occurred forty years later in AD70. However the additional evidence they present for AD33 is interesting. It also shows conclusively that, for either date, the specific biblical references are fully consistent with non-religious evidence.
Click here to view the paper
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