How long did Jesus live?

The Bible never says exactly how long Jesus lived prior to His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Based on educated guesses, we can estimate that He lived for 33—36 years. In Jewish law, the minimum age for priesthood was 30, and Luke 3:23 tells us that Jesus began His public ministry when He "was about thirty years of age."

The gospels do not give a fully comprehensive account of Jesus' ministry years, but we think that His ministry lasted approximately three years because the Bible shows that Jesus celebrated Passover three distinct times. So, "about 30" plus around three years leads to an age of about 33 years old.

The maximum age range for Jesus' life is between 32—41 years. This is based on an approximate birth date between 6 and 4 BC and death and resurrection by AD 36 at the latest. The ancient historian Josephus writes that the leaders involved in Jesus' crucifixion—the high priest Caiaphas, who led the plot to crucify Jesus, and Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea who allowed the crucifixion to take place—both ended their time in office in AD 36.

Note that this account is for the earthly life of Jesus as God incarnate. He, of course, has always been alive as God—He has no beginning and no end (John 1:1; Revelation 1:18). He is currently at the right hand of the Father (1 Peter 3:22). Hebrews 7:25 says, "he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."



Related Truth:

What year was Jesus Christ born?

What was the length of Jesus' public ministry?

Why was Jesus' public ministry so short?

What year did Jesus die?

Why did God send Jesus when He did? What is the fullness of time?


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Truth about Jesus Christ


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