The conception and birth of John the Baptist

The liturgical birthday of John is 24 June. Since the annunciation took place in September 2 BC, John was born on the night[1] of Thursday/Friday factual Julian 23/24 June 1 BC = actual 21/22 June = 4 Tammuz. John was born at the summer solstice. Later, Christ was in a village near Juttah from Thursday 19 June 32 AD (21 Sivan) until Wednesday 25 June 32 AD (27 Sivan).[2] Christ may have chosen to visit John’s home at this time because it was the time of John’s birthday.

Since Christ stayed for 273 days in the womb, John the Baptist might have done so as well. 273 days before the night of Thursday/Friday factual Julian 23/24 June 1 BC is the night[3] of Thursday/Friday factual Julian 23/24 September 2 BC = actual 22/23 September = 27 Tishri (6 days in September + 31 days in October + 30 days in November + 31 days in December + 31 days in January + 28 days in February[4] + 31 days in March + 30 days in April + 31 days in May + 24 days in June = 273 days).

Elizabeth had conceived John the Baptist after Zechariah had completed his Temple service (Luke 1:23). Zechariah’s course lasted until the evening of Saturday factual Julian 11 September.[5] Since the Feast of Tabernacles (15-22 Tishri) began on that evening, Zechariah left Jerusalem at the earliest on 23 Tishri = Monday 20 September. The conception may have taken place soon after.[6] John was conceived at the autumnal equinox. It was at the start of the Sabbatical year Tishri 2 BC/1 BC.[7] John was conceived 30 years before Christ was baptised on Friday Julian 23 September 29 AD = actual 20 September (Friday actual 23 September 2 BC-Friday actual 20 September 29 AD = 30 years).

[1] Just as Christ (A.C.E., Mary, 241), John may have been born during the night.

[2] A.C.E., Life, 3:479-480.

[3] Just as Christ (A.C.E., Mary, 144), John may have been conceived during the night.

[4] Since the year 1 BC was not a leap year in the factual Julian calendar (Samuel 1972: 157), the month of February only had 28 days.

[5] The priestly services lasted from the Sabbath until the next Sabbath, i.e. for eight days.

[6] A.C.E. saw the annunciation and conception of John the Baptist on 24 June 1824 and said that the birth came three months less some three days earlier: A.C.E., Visionen Juni 1821, 102: “Der Tag von Johannis Geburt ist bereits drei Monate weniger etwa drei Tage vorüber. Ich kann das nicht so genau bestimmen, denn es ist mit der Zeit ganz wunderbar, das Jahr paßt nicht genau auf das andere, es ist oft hier Nacht, wenn ich im Gesicht Tag sehe.” The date of the birth on actual 21/22 June (1 BC) in the same calendar year (i.e. without considering the order of the BC-years) comes three months and one day before the date of the conception on actual 22/23 September (2 BC).

[7] Wacholder 1973: 190.

The childhoods of John the Baptist and Christ

The conception and birth of John the Baptist