New Testament Chronology and the Decree of Daniel 9 -- By: Renald E. Showers

Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 11:1 (Winter 1970)
Article: New Testament Chronology and the Decree of Daniel 9
Author: Renald E. Showers


New Testament Chronology and the Decree of Daniel 9

Renald E. Showers

Professor of Church History
Philadelphia College of Bible

According to the angel Gabriel, the seventy weeks of years mentioned in Daniel 9:24–27 would begin with the issuance of a commandment or decree to restore and to build Jerusalem. The first sixty-nine of these weeks (483 years) would end during the life of Messiah, and sometime after their end Messiah would be “cut off” or put to death.

Most Dispensationalists have concluded that the decree which began the seventy weeks historically was King Artaxerxes’ decree issued to Nehemiah in 445 B.C. If this decree is to be accepted as the fulfillment of Daniel 9, then it must be demonstrated that 483 years from 445 B.C. ended during the life of Christ and before His death. The only way in which that can be demonstrated is through the chronological data relating to the life of Christ which are given in the New Testament. This study, then, is dealing with the following question: does the New Testament confirm the conclusion that Artaxerxes’ decree to Nehemiah in 445 B.C. was the starting point of the seventy weeks of Daniel 9?

It is crucial to note again at the outset that the first 483 years (sixty-nine weeks) of the seventy weeks was to end before Christ was put to death. That would mean, then, that the latest possible time in which that period could end was the year in which Christ died. If 483 years from 445 B.C. goes to a time later than the year in which Christ died, then Artaxerxes’ decree to Nehemiah would have to be rejected as the fulfillment of Daniel 9. It is very crucial, then, that we try to determine the year in which Christ died. The traditional view has been that Christ was crucified in 30 A.D. But, when prophetic years are used, 483 years from 445 B.C. brings time to 32 A.D.1 Is it possible to place the death of Christ as late as 32 A.D.? In order to determine that, it will be necessary to investigate New Testament chronological data relating to several events in the life of Christ.

First, we must try to determine when Christ was born. The gospels make it evident that He was born while Herod the Great was living. We know that Herod died late in March or early in April, 4 B.C.2 Thus, Christ

had to have been born before that time. Most scholars narrow the date down to 6 to 4 B.C. Finegan, following what he feels to be the best old sources, places the birth in midwinter ...

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