Five methods have been used to estimate the date of the
crucifixion of Jesus. One uses non-Christian sources such as
Josephus and
Tacitus.
[15][16] Another works backwards from the historically well-established trial of the
Apostle Paul by the
Roman proconsul Gallio in Corinth in AD 51/52 to estimate the date of
Paul's conversion. Both methods result in AD 36 as an upper bound to the crucifixion.
[17][18][19] Thus, scholars generally agree that Jesus was
crucified between AD 30 and AD 36.
[8][17][20][21] Isaac Newton's astronomical method calculates those ancient Passovers (always defined by a full moon) which are preceded by a Friday, as specified by all four Gospels; this leaves two potential crucifixion dates, 7 April AD 30 and 3 April AD 33.
[22] In the
lunar eclipse method, the Apostle Peter's statement that the moon turned to blood at the crucifixion (
Acts of the Apostles 2:14–21) is taken to refer to the lunar eclipse of 3 April AD 33; although astronomers are discussing whether the eclipse was visible as far west as Jerusalem. Recent astronomical research uses the contrast between the synoptic date of Jesus' last Passover on the one hand with John's date of the subsequent "Jewish Passover" on the other hand, to propose Jesus' Last Supper to have been on Wednesday, 1 April AD 33 and the crucifixion on Friday 3 April AD 33 and the
Resurrection on the third day.