Scientists may have discovered date of Crucifixion

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

The Gospel of 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, analyzed 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: 3 April 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 happened after a quake. Discovery Magazine reports that they are now analysing dust samples.

Source: Discovery Magazine/Geology Review