Comments on: When was Jesus born?

By: Grahame Grieve

Grahame Grieve — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:03:57 +0000

It can snow around bethlehem in winter. It’s pretty widely accepted that the Christmas date of 25Dec is of pagan origin. But that doesn’t really help us know exactly when Jesus was born

By: Luke Buckler

Luke Buckler — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:54:14 +0000

Hi Rob,

I’ve heard it said that Luke 2:8 – where it says ‘there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night’ – might indicate that Jesus was born in warmer months (i.e. definitely not in winter; the shepherds would not have been outside in the cold winter), but I don’t know anything about Mediterranean seasons or shepherds to know if this is right.

Do you know anything about this?

By: Rob J Hyndman

Rob J Hyndman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:36:08 +0000

Yes, from 1 Jan BC1 to 31 Dec AD1 is 2 years. But that is not equivalent to going from -1 to +1 degrees as it is not at the same time in each year. It is like going from -1degrees to +1.99 degrees.

By: rob johnson

rob johnson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:27:35 +0000

I would have thought that from Jan. BC1 until Dec. AD1 would be two years ie 24 months. From 12 months below zero to 12 months above zero just the same as a thermometer.

By: Rob J Hyndman

Rob J Hyndman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:07:54 +0000

On a thermometer, the difference between -1 and +1 is 2 degrees. With BC/AD dates, the difference between 1BC and 1AD is 1 year. That is the problem.

By: rob johnson

rob johnson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:04:53 +0000

Hi Rob,
Actually Dennis the Little was right not to include a year 0 because 0 is simply a reference point and has no quanity. It’s like a thermometer where everything is counted above or below the reference point of 0