Thursday, June 07, 2012

Date of crucifixion may have been discovered

Geologists in Israel have discovered evidence confirming that there was an earthquake around the time of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 27 says, “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.”

Geologist Jefferson Williams from Supersonic Geophysical and Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer from the German Research Centre for Geosciences, analysed earthquake activity in the area near Jerusalem by studying rock and sand samples from the Ein Gedi Spa beach. 

Their research confirmed that two major earthquakes hit the area specified, one of which took place between 26 and 36 AD.  The most likely date they say is April 3 33 AD. 

Writing in the International Geology Review they say that the report of an earthquake in the Gospel could also be a, "type of allegory,” but the experience of an earthquake would be something people around the time of the crucifixion would know about.

Three of the four Gospels also refer to three hours of darkness after the crucifixion.  

This could be a description of a dust storm, the scientists say, and such a storm could happen after a quake.

Discovery Magazine reports that they are now analysing dust samples.