A lot of people know that Jesus of Nazareth lived a long time ago. They may even know that he was a Jewish man born at the time of the Roman Empire. Yet, they are unclear about exactly when he was on the earth and the general timeline of his life. One common question people ask is how long it has been since Jesus was crucified on the cross.
The majority of Bible scholars believe Jesus died in 30 or 33 A.D. If he died in 30 A.D., 2022 marks 1,992 years since his death. 2023 will be 1,993 years. 2030 will be 2,000 years. If he died in 33 A.D., 2022 marks 1,989 years since his death. 2023 will be 1,990 years. 2033 will be 2,000 years.
Why do some scholars believe that Jesus died in 30 A.D.? Why do others believe he died in 33 A.D.? What details are used to date Jesus’ death? Who killed Jesus? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and others.
Also see Why Was Jesus Christ Crucified? to learn more.
What year did Jesus Christ die?
The table below lists significant periods in the last year of Jesus’ life, leading up to his crucifixion. The year and season are based on information compiled from all four Gospels, which mention events like annual festivals and celebrations, and various rulers and governors, which can help date different scenes.
| Event | Date | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus feeds 5,000 | 29 A.D. (Spring) | Matt. 14:13-21 |
| Jesus transfiguration | 29 A.D. (Summer) | Matt. 17:1-13 |
| Jesus attends the Festival of Tabernacles | 29 A.D. (Fall) | John 7:11-52 |
| Jesus begins his last trip to Jerusalem | 30 A.D. (Winter) | Luke 17:11 |
| Jesus resurrects Lazarus | 30 A.D. (Winter) | John 11:1-44 |
| Jesus is crucified and resurrected | 30 A.D. (Spring) | John 19:17-42 |
Which Jewish and Roman leaders were ruling when Jesus died?
The Gospels reveal that Jesus was crucified during the reigns of the Roman governor, Pilate (26-36 A.D.), the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas (18-36 A.D.), and the Roman Tetrarch, Herod Antipas (4 BC-A.D. 37).
- Pilate mentioned: Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 3, Luke 13, John 18-19, Acts 3-4, 13, 1 Timothy 6
- Caiaphas mentioned: Matthew 26, Luke 3, John 11, 18, Acts 4
- Herod Antipas mentioned: Matthew 14, Mark 6, 8, Acts 4, 12-13
Knowing these facts helps scholars date Jesus’ crucifixion.
Why do some people think that Jesus died in 33 A.D.?
Some Bible scholars believe that Jesus died in 33 A.D. However, the majority view of those who construct reliable timelines of the Gospels’ details is that his crucifixion occurred in 30 A.D.
It’s further argued that what is known about events after the crucifixion with regard to events in Acts and Paul’s life fit better with the 30 A.D. date.
Do any theological issues depend on the year of Jesus’ death?
No. The person and work of Jesus Christ have the same theological significance no matter what year he died. Nothing about the atonement hinges upon the exact year, month, or day that Jesus died.
Also see What Time Was Jesus Christ Crucified? to learn more.
Total number of years since Jesus’ crucifixion
| 30 A.D. | Years Since |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,992 |
| 2023 | 1,993 |
| 2024 | 1,994 |
| 2025 | 1,995 |
| 2026 | 1,996 |
| 2027 | 1,997 |
| 2028 | 1,998 |
| 2029 | 1,999 |
| 2030 | 2,000 years |
| 33 A.D. | Years Since |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,989 |
| 2023 | 1,990 |
| 2024 | 1,991 |
| 2025 | 1,992 |
| 2026 | 1,993 |
| 2027 | 1,994 |
| 2028 | 1,995 |
| 2029 | 1,996 |
| 2030 | 1,997 |
| 2031 | 1,998 |
| 2032 | 1,999 |
| 2033 | 2,000 years |
Jerry Bridges writes, “Jesus did not die just to give us peace and a purpose in life; He died to save us from the wrath of God. He died to reconcile us to a holy God who was alienated from us because of our sin.”
He continues: “He died to ransom us from the penalty of sin – the punishment of everlasting destruction, shut out from the presence of the Lord. He died that we, the just objects of God’s wrath, should become, by His grace, heirs of God and co-heirs with Him.”
Also see Where Was Jesus Christ Crucified? to learn more.
Who killed Jesus Christ? The Jews? The Romans?
Acts 4:27 explains that Jews and Romans killed Jesus. “For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod [a Jew] and Pontius Pilate [a Roman], along with the Gentiles [non-Jews] and the peoples of Israel [Jews].”
Ultimately, sinners are to blame for Jesus’ death. This includes people of all nations, races, skin tones, languages, and cultures. Jesus died because of sinners and for their salvation (John 3:16; Rom 6:23).
- John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
- Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“By His death on the Cross, Christ has become the Lamb that was slain for us, our Redeemer, the One who has made peace between us and God, who has taken our guilt on Himself, who has conquered our most deadly enemy and has assuaged the well-deserved wrath of God.” – Mark Dever
5 Bible verses about the death of Jesus Christ
- 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit”
- 1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
- Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
- 1 John 2:2, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
- John 19:30, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
“Christ died not in order to make God love us, but because He did love His people. Calvary is the supreme demonstration of Divine love. Whenever you are tempted to doubt the love of God, Christian reader, go back to Calvary.” – A.W. Pink
Also see Where Was Jesus Christ Crucified? to learn more.
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