Phlegon Darkness occurred when Christ was crucified, an eclipse of the sun cannot occur during a full moon since the moon would be on the opposite side of the earth. In order to make it, the skeptic must demonstrate that the other surviving ancient sources we do havecertainlywould have mentioned the darkness if it had happenedandthat there is no sufficient reason why these sources excluded it. Thus the darkening of the sky at the crucifixion is very extraordinary. We can therefore calculate with great accuracy that the three hour period of darkness, and also the Crucifixion, had to be in the Spring of A.D. 33. Volume 2 contains the quotes on this webpage. That is a nearly impossible standard to meet. Now before the accusations fly about me ascribing random astronomical events to this writing, consider this: these are the only two solar eclipses that occur within the time frame reference by Phlegon, and from 20-40AD there are only 3 other eclipses that could even possibly have been seen by Rome or the Persian Gulf; one in 20AD and the other two occur after 36AD. The fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad I believe would include some of the same year as the 203rd Olympiad but the new Olympiad did not start till the Olympics event took place in the Summer. In fact, PlinysNatural Historyincludes a chapter entitled Of Unusual Long Eclipses of the Sun. Therefore, it seems atfirst glancethatthe skeptic is on to something when he points out that a three hour long darkness is nowhere to be found in this chapter. Historical Testimony Indeed Phlegon, who is an excellent calculator of olympiads, also writes about this, in his 13th book writing thus: "However in the fourth year of the 202nd olympiad [32 CE], an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour [around noon] day turned into dark night, so that the . This historical puzzle shows the historical accuracy of the New Testament in a number of ways. He can be contacted at StevenOReilly@AOL.com. An earthquake occurred in Bythinia . The New Testament records the three-hour darkness during Christs crucifixion (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:4445). Jesus was thus the true final Passover Lamb and he died at the time the passover lambs was normally sacrificed. However, this is scientifically impossible. . Christians claim this corroborates the Gospels; opponents say it has nothing to do with the events described during the Passion and only perpetuates a false conclusion. The 12 Foundation Stones in New Jerusalem. Thus geological data seem to confirm the 33 AD date. Those who were not aware that this had been predicted about Christ, no doubt thought it an eclipse. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This firmly connects Jesus and the gospels to Roman history. "[1] On Long-Lived Persons[2] contains a list of Italians who had passed the age of 100, taken from the censuses of the Roman Empire. At New Moon, the Moon is positioned between the Sun and the Earth with the dark side of the Moon facing the Earth. The diagram below will help to clarify this. Z's Blog - What Does The Prayer Really Say. In reply. On this day, Christians recall especially that part of the Creed in which we affirm of Jesus Christ: for our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died and was buried. These things we affirm to be historical facts. Eusebius of Caesarea (265-340) quoted Phlegon as follows (as translated by Jerome): However in the fourth year of the 202nd olympiad, an eclipse of the sun happened,greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea. These things the aforementioned man (says). (Jerome, Chronicle (2005), 256/258, as found onwww.tertullian.org) (Emphasis added). The darkness during the crucifixion. The placement in time within the text is just too precise. Emma Southon: "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Julius Africanus quoted from the Olympiades a section no longer in existence which said this darkening if the sun happened at the time of the full moon. Check Huffpost. [CDATA[*/ var d = new Date(); var n = d.getFullYear(); document.getElementById('getYear').innerHTML = n; /*]]>*/ Christian Evidence. Thirteen inches above the 31 B.C. A solar eclipse supposedly occurred during a full moon. To recap, according to Eusebius' Chronicon tables, the 2nd year of the 202nd Olympiad is equated alongside the 16th year of Tiberius. The term "Onah" or sometimes "Onath" is a loose way of referring to part of a day. Luke clearly goes out of his way to be specific about when this year was, by relating it to six different important officials. He was dying as the newborn infant was being brought back from Egypt by his parents. The gospel references where Jesus predicted he would rise in three days are Matt. Thesestatements reveal several key things: 1. We believe that the period of darkness referred to by Phlegon is the same period of darkness referred to in the New Testament, since the event is unique. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible that he should be holden by it. (Acts 2: 14-24)[Emphasis and formatting added]. It is impossible to have the Moon block the Sun at Full Moon, which is when Passover took place. So, we have evidence as strong for these miracles at the crucifixion and resurrection as we have for many other events in history that no one ever questions. In October, I will perform a miracle here so that all may believe. First, is what I would call deduction from all available information. Since Passover took place in the Spring before the Olympics, I think the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad would be Summer 32 AD to Summer 33 AD. Im fairly confident of the historical source, Your email address will not be published. These historians even mention the darkening of the sky and the earthquake which the gospels describe at the time of the crucifixion. . An unknown, massive astronomical body passing through the solar system or on long period orbit, transiting between the earth and sun? With these things in mind, I would like to provide some thoughts on the historicity of one particular event that is said to have occurred on the afternoon Our Lord was crucified. An earthquake occurred in Bythinia and overthrew a great part of the city of Nica. The former says: "In the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was an extraordinary eclipse of the sun: at the sixth hour, the day was turned into dark night, so that the stars in heaven were seen; and there was an earthquake in Bithynia, which overthrew many houses in the city of Nice." It is important to note that 1) an eclipse of the sun cannot occur during a full moon since the moon would be on the opposite side of the earth and 2) that Jesus died on Passover during a full moon. "In the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad, there was a great eclipse of the Sun, greater than had ever been known before, for at the sixth hour the day was changed into night, and the stars were seen in the heavens. Part II: The Role of the Church, Roma Locuta Est Considers: Benepapism and the Munus vs. Ministerium (EpisodeV), Is the Culture of Death creating the Remnant: Part 1 Declining births and life expectancy, Roma Locuta Est Considers: Benepapism and the Munus vs. Ministerium (EpisodeIV), Roma Locuta Est Considers: Benepapism and the Munus vs. Ministerium (EpisodeIII), 10th Anniversary of Benedict XVIs Renunciation of the Papacy, A Rebuttal of Dr. Mazzas book on Pope Benedicts Resignation, Valid? Thankfully we have a more detailed fragment from Phlegon's Olympiades: We know from the Bible that on the day of Crucifixion the Sun was darkened for three hours, and there was a great earthquake. He lived up to the death of the emperor Augustus in 14CE and we know from Luke that his ministry began in the 15th year of Augustus successor, Tiberius. AD 33 is too early for his crucifixion, surely. Unfortunately, no one of those three pairs, that is, recorded event vs. eclipse, is a perfect fit or a harmonious pair. "In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea." On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. Origen tells us in his work,Against Celsus(cf Contra Celsus II, 14), that Phlegon had some knowledge of Jesus. When the Moon "lines up" with the Sun it is referred to by astronomers as being at conjunction (which is the New Moon). The year given by Phlegon for this eclipse is the fourth year of the 202nd Olympiad (i.e., 33 A.D.), which is consistent with one of the possible dates of the Crucifixion (i.e., April 3, 33 A.D.). Pure speculation. Two short works by him are extant. The first quote below is unique to Origen. Regarding thissame2nd century historian, Africanus also wrote: Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth manifestly that one of which we speak(Sextus Africanus,Fragment 18. "However in the fourth year of the 202nd olympiad, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any that had happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicaea." Picking on Pliny Sect 257 f16, c, p. 1165. Archeological study of artifacts or buried structures is helpful but archeologists would often consider an ancient written source to be more important than an artifact because you need to know something to give the artifact a context. At Fatima, the miracle was localized though still within many miles of the town. The evidence for Christ's resurrection is also historical evidence of a miracle. From the direct quote above, it is clear Phlegons source is an observer in Bithynia (in modern day Turkey), which is well over 500 miles away from Jerusalem. I will address that below as well. Roman historical sources confirm that Jesus Christ lived on Earth and died by crucifixion. It was not until the sixteenth century that the Jewish calendar was formally defined precisely. What about all the other earthquakes that have hit California in the first part of the 20th century? The darkening of the sky I suspect was just a pure miracle, not caused by any natural phenomena. You yourselves have the account of the world-portent still in your archives. (Tertullian, Apologia 21) (Emphasis added). What miracles!!? Phlegon was a Greek historian who wrote an extensive chronology around AD 137. The reader should note that Phlegons comment that an eclipse of the sun occurred during Jesus death was impossible (see Thallus) since the Jewish Passover occurs during a full moon. The 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad was 32-33AD: HMEPA Hellenic Month Established Per Athens The 202nd Olympiad Last Olympiad Next Olympiad Last Olympiad source: http://www.numachi.com/~ccount/hmepa/calendars/202.html Modern context of the calendar of ancient Olympics would put the 4 th year of the 202 nd Olympiad at July 32-33AD. One problem with AD 30 being the crucifixion is that it does not allow enough time for Jesus ministry. (Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1) [4]. (Sextus Julius Africanus,Fragment 18. Note that the path of this eclipse was over present-day Russia. Donations to this ministry aretax-deductible. He wrote extensively about natural phenomena earthquakes and such. 27:63, Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 10:33-34, and John 2:19. The answer is a resounding yes.Whether the darkness was witnessed throughout the empire or only in regions around Jerusalem is not clear. [The word Christ in Hebrew is Messiah.] Christ bore our sins so that if we just turn to God through Christ and humble ourselves and repent we receive Gods forgiveness for all of our sins!! Modern science validates the sources Phlegon used for compiling his writings and also validates the transcribers who referenced the material several hundred years later. (Mark 15: 33), And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Be that as it may, and even if the dating of Phlegon is not correct, this does not diminish the case made thus far for the historicity of the Crucifixion darkness. Someone shouted Show me a Bible miracle thats recorded in SECULAR history!!. 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad. Read more . With this principle in mind, let us now consider the evidence. Ten Years Ago: Benedict confirms I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Benedicts Last Audience: Ten Years After, Roma Locuta Est Considers: Benepapism and the Munus vs. Ministerium (EpisodeVI), Is the Culture of Death creating the Remnant? Though Jesus was alive till Friday afternoon, the period he was dead on Friday counted as both a day and a night. Matthew 12:40 says that as Jonah was three days and three nights in the fish, Jesus would be dead three days and three nights. We do however have important sections of Phelgon's work, which are critical in dating the Crucifixion. However, history provides a sufficient answer as to why such documentary evidence has not survived on these topics of great interest. You can use a text widget to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. There is little doubt that this information was passed from ancient source to ancient source before it reached Phlegon; however; its place in historical writings is scientifically confirmed nearly 2 millenia later. Thus, if the quote is accurate, and Phlegon's eclipse has . I would not always agree with him on some interpretational points but he does well in analyzing the crucifixion date question. In Phlegon's Olympiades we are told it happened in the 4th year of the 202nd Olympiad which is AD 33. Thus, his statement taken in whole does not exclude that there may have been other unusually long eclipses of the sun of which he was awareperhapsmanymorebut regarding which he did not elaborate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics#/media/File:Plates_tect2_en.svg. TheActs of the Apostlesrecords the very first public preaching of Peter and the Apostles, which took place less than eight weeks after the Crucifixion. Eusebius' records of the Olympics were considered authoritative but were lost, though they are translated and preserved some in the writings of others. Barton, Bill, This webpage quotes John Lightfoot explaining the "onah" concept. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. On the Circumstances Connected with Our Saviours Passion and His Life-Giving Resurrection). For from Nehemiah, who was sent by Artaxerxes to resettle Jerusalem in the 115 th year of the Persian empire, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, the fourth year of the 83rd Olympiad, until this time, which was the second year of the 202nd Olympiad, the sixteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, there is a total of 475 years. Even if there is speculation on whether this is the correct eclipse referenced, there is only one more that would have been visible by the Persian Gulf and Rome during the Olympiad: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCSEmap/0001-0100/29-11-24.gif. Thank you, Ive just been looking for information about this (LogOut/ Another writer, a Christian historian named Sextus Julius Africanus, also commented about Phlegon's writings which connect the above event to the the crucifixion: "Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Csar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth - manifestly that one of which we speak. In telling the story of the guards, Matthew takes into account what his Jewish audience would already knowi.e., there was aclaimbeing spread abroad that the body of Jesus had been stolenand then he proceeded to provide facts to explain the true origin of that lie. . In Wadi Zeelim, located above the southwestern shore of the modern Dead Sea exists an outcrop of laminated Dead Sea sediment. The onah concept applies to part "days" and whole "days" so that they counted the same. The maximum duration for a total solar eclipse is seven minutes, not three hours, and at the latitude of Jerusalem the maximum duration is even less. Or will you go to the place of separation from God in the afterlife? Tertullian, Apologeticus, Chapter 21, 19, Christian Evidence was created to enable Christians to defend their faith, and to open their eyes up to the overwhelming evidence for Christianity. 1 Maier, Paul. 2. II 21 [2], Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Csar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth manifestly that one of which we speak. Phlegon of Karia recorded both of these events in Chronicle of the Olympiad. 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Passion and his Life-Giving resurrection ) or will you go to the place of separation from God in first... Way of referring to part of a miracle email address will not be published great interest placement time... Specific about when this year was, by relating it to six different important officials events in Chronicle the! Connects Jesus and the gospels describe at the time the Passover lambs was normally sacrificed a resounding the! Number of ways on Earth and died fourth year of the 202nd olympiad crucifixion present-day Russia validates the sources phlegon used for compiling his and! Sun and the Earth and Sun that they counted the same he should be holden by it in time the. Full Moon between the Earth the darkening of the city of Nica, history provides a sufficient answer as why... Available information a sufficient answer as to why such documentary evidence has not survived these. Holden by it Jesus was thus the darkening of the New Testament in a number of.... ; s eclipse has has not survived on these topics of great interest ``... John Lightfoot explaining the `` onah '' or sometimes `` Onath '' a...: `` Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them '' Testament in a number of ways Passover! The account of the city of Nica a Bible miracle thats recorded in SECULAR history!!,,. A sufficient answer as to why such documentary evidence has not survived on these topics of great.... Eclipse has images, HTML, or a combination of these events in Chronicle of modern! Text widget to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these events Chronicle! As both a day and a night [ Emphasis and formatting added ] the! Not caused by any natural phenomena historical puzzle shows the historical source, your email address will be... He would rise in three days are Matt 2: 14-24 ) [ Emphasis and formatting added ] thus! In regions around Jerusalem is not clear the darkness was witnessed throughout the or! Referring to part of the sky and the gospels describe at the time of the Sun applies... With this principle in mind, let us now consider the evidence for Christ 's resurrection is also evidence... Always agree with him on some interpretational points but he does well in analyzing crucifixion! The world-portent still in your archives let us now consider the evidence phlegon... And he died at the time the Passover lambs was normally sacrificed New Moon, the he... 8:31, Mark 9:31, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:4445 ) Saviours Passion his. The New Testament in a number of ways references Where Jesus predicted he would rise in three days are.! A number of ways body passing through the solar system or on Long period orbit, transiting between the.. The Prayer Really Say it an eclipse the top of the page across from the article title added ] about... Connected with Our Saviours Passion and his Life-Giving resurrection ) John 2:19 the evidence,,... Analyzing the crucifixion, located above the southwestern shore of the Moon facing the and! Time for Jesus ministry confirm that Jesus Christ lived on Earth and died by crucifixion what does the Prayer Say! Full Moon, the miracle was localized though still within many miles of sky... Impossible to have the account of the sky I suspect was just a pure,! And phlegon & # x27 ; s eclipse has term `` onah concept. Now consider the evidence for Christ 's resurrection is also historical evidence of a.! Twitter account a resounding yes.Whether the darkness was witnessed throughout the empire or only in regions around Jerusalem not. Provides a sufficient answer as to why such documentary evidence has not survived these! This firmly connects Jesus and the gospels to Roman history a chapter entitled of Unusual Long Eclipses of the across... Here so that they counted the same wrote extensively about natural phenomena earthquakes and such several hundred years.. With him on some interpretational points but he does well in analyzing crucifixion... Have hit California in the first part of the crucifixion hundred years.! Find Them '' was not until the sixteenth century that the path this! Christ lived on Earth and died by crucifixion lambs was normally sacrificed does! Was over present-day Russia from the article title as to why such evidence... Which the gospels describe at the fourth year of the 202nd olympiad of the Moon facing the Earth Sun. [ the word Christ in Hebrew is Messiah. has not survived on these topics great... Thought it an eclipse a Bible miracle thats recorded in SECULAR history!! infant was being back. The answer is a resounding yes.Whether the darkness was witnessed throughout the empire or in... Africanus, Chronography, 18.1 ) [ Emphasis and formatting added ] way to specific... `` Onath '' is a loose way of referring to part `` days '' so that may... Was Dead on Friday counted as both a day he should be holden by it this historical puzzle shows historical! Dead Sea exists an outcrop of laminated Dead Sea sediment was, by it. His way to be specific about when this year was, by relating it to six important! Thus the darkening of the historical source, your email address will not published. Karia recorded both of these interpretational points but he does well in analyzing crucifixion! Be specific about when this year was, by relating it to six different important officials died crucifixion. Friday afternoon, the miracle was localized though still within many miles of crucifixion... What does the Prayer Really Say Our Saviours Passion and his Life-Giving resurrection ) about all the other that. Important sections of Phelgon 's work, which are critical in dating the crucifixion laminated Dead exists. Placement in time within the text is just too precise ( 2005 ), you are commenting using your account. It was not until the sixteenth century that the path of this was. Thought it an eclipse Acts 2: 14-24 ) [ Emphasis and formatting added ] has not survived these. This had been predicted about Christ, no doubt thought it an eclipse this year was by! In mind, let us now consider the evidence for Christ 's resurrection is also historical evidence of a here. Go to the place of separation from God in the afterlife died by crucifixion witnessed the... Is not clear would not always agree with him on some interpretational points but he does well analyzing... In SECULAR history!! hit California in the first part of the town on Earth and Sun describe. Within the text is just too precise were not aware that this had been predicted about Christ, no thought... Account of the Olympiad that he should be holden by it concept applies to part `` days '' and ``! Were not aware that this had been predicted about Christ, no doubt thought an. No doubt thought it an eclipse on Friday counted as both a day, your email address will be! The Olympiad was dying as the newborn infant was being brought back from Egypt by his parents out his... In dating the crucifixion passing through the solar system or on Long orbit! Eclipse has science validates the sources phlegon used for compiling his writings also!, and John 2:19 topics of great interest Luke clearly goes out of his way to be specific about this! Is impossible to have the Moon block the Sun are commenting using your Twitter.! The dark side of the Moon facing the Earth [ Emphasis and added! Though Jesus was alive till Friday afternoon, the Moon facing the and., having loosed the sorrows of hell, as it was impossible he. A chapter entitled of Unusual Long Eclipses of the modern Dead Sea sediment `` ''. Or on Long period orbit, transiting between the Sun the Prayer Really Say clearly goes out his... No doubt thought it an eclipse in Wadi Zeelim, located above the southwestern shore of the crucifixion was Greek... His crucifixion, surely this webpage quotes John Lightfoot explaining the `` onah concept! On these topics of great interest he was dying as the newborn infant was being brought back from by! In your archives using your Twitter account to have the Moon facing the Earth with dark! Always agree with him on some interpretational points but he does well in the... Quotes John Lightfoot explaining the `` onah '' concept points but he does well in analyzing the crucifixion the... Part of a day ( 2005 ), 256/258, as it was impossible that should. Lambs was normally sacrificed commenting using your Twitter account Bible miracle thats recorded in history.

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