Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
NASA Research Potentially Validates Biblical Account of Jesus’ Crucifixion
New findings from NASA may lend credence to the Biblical narrative of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, according to researchers at Oxford University. Analysis of NASA data suggests a potential astronomical event aligning with scriptural descriptions of darkness and a blood-red moon following Jesus’ death, a topic gaining traction online, particularly on platforms like TikTok as Christians observe Good Friday.
Lunar Eclipse Aligns with Traditional Crucifixion Date
Biblical texts describe the sun being obscured and the moon turning blood-red, events that some theological scholars interpret as occurring in the aftermath of Christ’s crucifixion. NASA’s historical astronomical models, which track the positions of celestial bodies, indicate a lunar eclipse occurred on Friday, April 3, 33 AD. This year is widely accepted as the traditional date of Jesus’ death.
Visibility in Jerusalem and Reddish Hue
This celestial event would have been observable in Jerusalem soon after sunset. The moon’s position during the eclipse would have caused it to take on a reddish appearance. Biblical scholars suggest that this NASA-identified lunar eclipse is the very event documented in the Bible.
Biblical References and Interpretations
NASA’s research, initially conducted in the 1990s, has recently resurfaced and become viral on social media platforms, coinciding with Good Friday observances. NASA has stated, “Christian texts mention that the Moon turned to blood after Jesus’s crucifixion—potentially referencing a lunar eclipse, during which the Moon takes on a reddish hue.” The space agency also noted that scholars have pinpointed a possible crucifixion date of Friday, April 3, 33AD, due to the occurrence of a lunar eclipse.
Acts 2:20 and Joel’s Prophecy
The biblical verse referencing the moon’s transformation into blood is found in Acts 2:20: ‘The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.’ According to scriptures, the apostle Peter recited these words approximately 50 days after the crucifixion. Some experts believe Peter was referencing events he witnessed surrounding Jesus’s death.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Differing Interpretations: Prophecy vs. Historical Account
However, numerous historians contend that the passage was intended as a prophecy about the second coming of Jesus, rather than a description of events at the crucifixion. This is due to Peter quoting Joel 2:28–31, a passage from centuries prior to the crucifixion that foretells cosmic signs and spiritual awakening: ‘The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.’
Due to the Book of Joel’s pre-crucifixion authorship, many scholars believe Peter was elucidating how Joel had previously prophesied the crucifixion itself.
Oxford Scholars and NASA Findings
Biblical scholars Colin Humphreys and W. Graeme Waddington from the University of Oxford utilized NASA’s data, alongside textual references to the crucifixion, to argue that the moon indeed turned blood-red following Jesus’ death. They propose Peter’s words were not a future prophecy but a declaration that Joel’s prophecy had been fulfilled through the crucifixion events.
Gospels and Darkness at Noon
The Gospels recount darkness enveloping the land from noon until 3 pm during Jesus’ crucifixion. Researchers argue this aligns closely with the imagery within Joel’s prophecy. Humphreys and Waddington suggest Peter’s phrase ‘the sun shall be turned into darkness’ alludes to Matthew 27:45: ‘From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.’
Apocryphal Texts and Further Evidence
The researchers also highlight lesser-known texts within the New Testament apocrypha. These writings, while not part of the traditional biblical canon, contain accounts of Jesus’ life, including aspects of his infancy, divine nature, and relationships with family and disciples. Though excluded from the biblical canon due to doubts about divine inspiration, Humphreys and Waddington point to a verse in the apocryphal Report of Pilate as further support for unusual celestial occurrences during the crucifixion.
Report of Pilate and Celestial Signs
‘At his crucifixion the sun was darkened; the stars appeared and in all the world people lighted lamps from the sixth hour till evening; the moon appeared like blood,’ the Report of Pilate states. This verse, according to the scholars, strengthens the argument that Jesus died on the day of the ancient lunar eclipse.
Good Friday and Easter Observance
Christians worldwide are observing Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Good Friday precedes Easter Sunday by two days. The date of Easter Sunday is calculated based on the first full moon following the spring equinox, specifically the first Sunday after that full moon.
Historical Context of Easter Dating
This method originated from early Christian attempts to synchronize the holiday with the Jewish Passover and astronomical events. Jesus’ crucifixion is traditionally believed to have occurred around Passover, which follows the Hebrew lunar calendar. The Gospels state that Jesus was resurrected on the Sunday after Passover. Early Christians sought a system to ensure Easter remained connected to Passover and the narrative of Jesus’ resurrection.