Is September 11 the Real Date of The Lord Jesus Christ’s Birth?

By Paul Kane

Was the Lord Jesus Christ, for His First Advent, born on September 11? Is this why many of the evil events of this world take place on that date, as an attempt to take a “swipe” at Christ’s birth date?

The Bible does not explicitly state the date of Jesus’ birth, but there are a number of passages that provide numerous clues. One of the most intriguing passages is found in the book of Numbers, Numbers 29:1 which says,

“AND in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.”

Some scholars believe that this passage is a reference to the birth of Jesus, and that he was born on the Feast of Trumpets in 2 BC.

The number 7 is significant in the Bible, and it is often associated with perfection. The seventh month of the Hebrew calendar is Tishri, and it is the first month of the new year. This would make the Feast of Trumpets the first day of the new year, which is a fitting day for the birth of the Messiah, who would bring in a new era of salvation.

Before we go any further, let’s turn to, and read, Micah 4:8, and then Micah 5:2, here’s what it says “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem”

Now, Micah 5:2
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Now turn to Matthew 2:4-6 and let’s read what the Magi said to Herod. Here’s what it says “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet Micah, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

To Read the full account of The Birth of the LORD Jesus Christ, Go to Luke 2:1-14

Let’s now turn our focus to THE PROCLAMATION OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS – Luke 2:1-5 – “that all the world should be taxed.”

Augustus ruled from 43 BC to 14 A.D. Augustus is Octavian, grandnephew of Julius Caesar. Now, Quirinius was “governing” under the governor Varus of Syria at the time of the census mentioned in the Bible, probably around 7 BC as seen in Luke 2:2

Josephus refers to a census in 6 AD when Quirinius was the governor, Egyptian records state that a census was done by Rome every 14 years, and took several years to accomplish.

Herod the Great was alive at the birth of the Messiah. The problem of the timing of Herod the Great’s death is related to a remark by the Roman Historian, Flavius Josephus. Josephus recorded an eclipse on March 13, 4BC which he said was “shortly before Herod died.”

However, the actual date of the eclipse was December 29, 1 BC. And then time between the birth of the Messiah and Herod’s death is necessary since Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus Christ fled to Egypt and did not return until after Herod’s death, due to the massacre of the children at Herod’s orders. Herod the Great died on January 14, 1 BC.

Tertullian said that the birth of Jesus Christ was 41 years after Augustus began his rule, and Augustus died 15 years after the birth of Christ. The death of Augustus was August 19, 14 AD. Tertullian also said that Jesus Christ was born 28 years after the death of Cleopatra who died in 30 BC.

Irenaeus, as well, said that Jesus was born in the 41st year of the reign of Augustus. And Eusebius said the same thing. The 42nd year of Augustus ran from the autumn of 2 BC to the autumn of 1 BC.

The LORD Jesus Christ was most likely born on September 11, 2 BC.

One more thing, when the temple was destroyed by Titus on August 5, 70 AD, the first course of priests had just taken office. There are 24 courses or divisions for the Jewish Priests. The course of Abijah, John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias, was the 8th course. So, tracing backwards, Zacharias would have ended his duties on July 13, 3 BC. The birth of John the Baptist would be 280 days later, April 19-20, 2BC, which was Passover that year, The birth of Jesus would have been six months later, in the fall of 2 BC. The VERY INTERESTING fact of this date is that it is Tishri 1 on the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah, The Feast of Trumpets.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.