New Testament History

The Passovers of 8 AD and 12 AD

Christ celebrated His first Passover in Jerusalem when He was 8 years old,[1] in Nisan 8 AD. The Holy Family apparently went to Jerusalem after Archelaus’ deposition in 6 AD and the troublesome census that followed it.[2] David reigned for 7½ years outside Jerusalem, in Hebron (2 Sam 2:11; 5:5; cf. 1 Chr 29:27). Similarly, Christ was 7½ years old (November 1 BC-Nisan 8 AD) when He went to Jerusalem.

Christ was in His 12th year (November 1 BC-spring 12 AD) when He was lost in the Temple (Luke 2:42).[3] During Passover 30 AD Christ said that His teaching in the Temple had occurred 18 years earlier[4] (12 AD-30 AD = 18 years). It was His 5th Passover in Jerusalem,[5] i.e. 4 years after the first in Nisan 8 AD. The festival ended on the evening of 21 Nisan = Friday 1 April 12 AD. Since a Sabbath followed, the people left Jerusalem on 23 Nisan = Sunday 3 April. This was the first day Christ was lost (Luke 2:44). Since Joseph and the Holy Virgin had already gone a day’s journey before they returned back to Jerusalem, they had to travel back one day (Luke 2:45).[6] They found Christ in the Temple after 3 (inclusive) days (Luke 2:46), on 25 Nisan = Tuesday 5 April. Christ died on 3 April and resurrected on 5 April 33 AD. The losing and the finding in the Temple foretell the dates of His death and resurrection.