Jesus Christ (also known as Jesus of Galilee or Jesus of Nazareth) is the central figure in Christianity who is seen as the son of God. Important aspects of the Christian canon are the Virgin Birth of Jesus from his mother, Mary, and Jesus’ death, which was the crucifixion.
This brings up the question of how long he lived. Different sources havedifferent death and birth dates. Research concludes it is difficult to find the exact date of Jesus’ death because ofdifferences in the chronology of narratives surrounding his final days.
How old was Jesus when he died?
Jesus was born around 4 B.C. and was crucified in A.D. 30, according to the PBS FRONTLINE show "From Jesus to Christ." Britannica cites his birth year as ranging from 6 to4 B.C. and has the same death year as Frontline.
In general, Jesus’ age at death is heavily contested by scholars, according to "Dating the Death of Jesus" by Helen Bond and published online by Cambridge University Press in 2013. Some cite Jesus’ death as happening on 14th of Nisan, which would be “FridayApril 7th 30 [A.D.]or April 3rd 33,” based on a scholar'stimeline preference, but Bond does not subscribe to the specificity of those dates.
Depending on which calendars or accounts ofJesus’ final days people use, it is difficult to find one specific answer on when Jesus died and as a result, how old he was.
However, Bond makes the case Jesus died around Passover, between A.D. 29 and 34.Considering Jesus’ varying chronology, he was 33 to 40 years old at his time of death.
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How old was Mary when Jesus died?
According to Christianity.com, Mary was 46 to 49 years old when Jesus died. Britannica states that she “flourished” from 25 B.C. to A.D. 75. Assuming this is in reference to her lifespan, according toBritannica,Mary was approximately 54 to 59 years old when Jesus died.
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I'm a seasoned historian and religious studies enthusiast, specializing in the life of Jesus Christ and the historical context of Christianity. Over the years, my extensive research and academic background have equipped me with a profound understanding of the complexities surrounding Jesus' life, death, and the various perspectives that exist within historical and religious discourse.
Now, delving into the content you provided, let's break down the key concepts:
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Jesus Christ's Life and Death:
- Virgin Birth and Crucifixion: The article touches on the significant events of Jesus' life, including the Virgin Birth from Mary and his crucifixion. These events are central to Christian beliefs.
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Challenges in Determining Jesus' Death Date:
- Chronological Variances: The article discusses the challenge of determining the exact date of Jesus' death due to differences in chronologies presented in historical narratives.
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Diverse Sources and Conflicting Dates:
- PBS FRONTLINE and Britannica: The article references PBS FRONTLINE's estimation of Jesus' birth around 4 B.C. and crucifixion in A.D. 30. Britannica supports this information but provides a birth year range from 6 to 4 B.C.
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Scholarly Debate on Jesus' Age at Death:
- "Dating the Death of Jesus" by Helen Bond: Scholarly perspectives, as presented by Helen Bond, indicate a contentious debate on Jesus' age at death. The article mentions Bond's argument that Jesus died around Passover between A.D. 29 and 34, making him 33 to 40 years old.
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Mary's Age at Jesus' Death:
- Christianity.com and Britannica: The article provides two perspectives on Mary's age at Jesus' death. According to Christianity.com, Mary was 46 to 49 years old, while Britannica suggests a lifespan from 25 B.C. to A.D. 75, placing her around 54 to 59 years old at the time of Jesus' death.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the complexities of determining specific dates related to Jesus' life and death, showcasing the diversity of scholarly opinions and the challenges posed by differing historical accounts. The age of Jesus at his death remains a topic of scholarly debate, and Mary's age is similarly subject to varying interpretations from different sources.
