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.
Who was Rasputin?:Inside the self-proclaimed 'holy man' and Russian royal advisor
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.
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Who was Winston Churchill?" to "What is the safest place in the world to live?" to "How hot is the sun?", we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
As an enthusiast deeply versed in the historical and scholarly aspects of religious studies, particularly in the life of Jesus Christ, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intriguing questions surrounding his birth, death, and age at the time of his crucifixion. My expertise draws from extensive research, academic literature, and a nuanced understanding of the various perspectives within the field.
The discussion around Jesus' life and death is a complex tapestry woven from a multitude of historical accounts, religious texts, and scholarly interpretations. The Virgin Birth and the crucifixion are pivotal events in Christian theology, yet determining the exact duration of Jesus' life remains a challenge due to discrepancies in historical chronicles.
One key source of information is the PBS FRONTLINE show "From Jesus to Christ," which posits Jesus' birth around 4 B.C. and his crucifixion in A.D. 30. Britannica, another reputable reference, provides a birth year ranging from 6 to 4 B.C., aligning with the A.D. 30 death year presented by FRONTLINE. These sources contribute to a general consensus on Jesus' timeline, but the devil lies in the details.
Helen Bond's work, "Dating the Death of Jesus," further complicates matters by highlighting the contested nature of Jesus' age at death among scholars. The proposed dates, such as the 14th of Nisan, yield varying results, with possibilities like "Friday, April 7th, 30 A.D." or "April 3rd, 33 A.D." depending on the scholar's preference. Bond, however, refrains from endorsing specific dates, emphasizing the difficulty in pinpointing an exact timeframe.
Considering the diverse chronologies and accounts of Jesus' final days, the age at which he died becomes a subject of substantial debate. Bond's assertion that Jesus likely died around Passover between A.D. 29 and 34 allows for a broad age range—33 to 40 years old—at the time of his death.
Turning attention to Mary, Jesus' mother, sources such as Christianity.com and Britannica offer insights into her age at the time of Jesus' death. Christianity.com suggests Mary was 46 to 49 years old, while Britannica indicates she "flourished" from 25 B.C. to A.D. 75, placing her age at approximately 54 to 59 years old when Jesus died.
In conclusion, the quest to unravel the precise details of Jesus' life and death involves navigating through a mosaic of historical accounts, scholarly perspectives, and religious interpretations. The complexity of the subject, as evidenced by the varying timelines and ages presented, underscores the challenges inherent in discerning the historical facts from the layers of tradition and belief that surround this central figure in Christianity.
