1. The reign of king Herod in Judaea
Ruled from 37B.C. - 4B.C.
Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem
King Herod
Roman-appointed king of Judaea (37–4 BC)
* We know that Jesus was born during King Herod's reign. He died in 4 BC.
Therefore, Jesus was born between the years 37B.C. and 4 BC..
2. King Herod's decree to Bethlehem
To slay all 2 year old boys and under
Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Killed all male children 2 years and under
* The Bible tells us that King Herod killed all the male children 2 years old and under per the wise men's declaration of when they seen the star. This is at least 2 years before King Herod died.
* Scripture then tells us that Joseph took Mary and Jesus into Egypt to live for an unspecified time period.
Therefore, Jesus had to have been born between 35B.C. and 6 BC.
3. King Herod dies/his son Archelaus reigns
King Archalaus reigns from 4B.C. - 6A.D.
Matthew 2:19-23
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Luke 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
Luke 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
The Feast of Passover
Joseph refused to take Jesus to the yearly Passover because he was afraid of King Herod's son Archelaus whom was reigning (Luke 2:41). But something changed. Joseph now allowed Jesus to attend this Passover when He turned 12 years old (Luke 2:42). What changed? Archelaus ceased to be king in the middle of the year 6A.D..
So, if Jesus was 12 years old in 7A.D. at the Passover, that means He had to be born either in the year 6B.C. or 7B.C.. Remember there is no year "0".
4. Which year? 6B.C. or 7B.C.?
The birth of John the Baptist
Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
Luke 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
The births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ
Zacharias was a priest of the course of Abia (Abijah) whichmeans he served during the 4th month (ended in the beginning of July). Elisabeth conceived sometime in the beginning of July and John was born sometime in the beginning of April. She went full term (9 months).
Mary conceived 6 months later than Elisabeth. Therefore, she gave birth to Jesus 6 months later sometime in the beginning of October. So, Jesus was born sometime in the beginning of October.
So, which year was Jesus actually born? Was it 6B.C. or 7B.C.?
Jesus was born sometime in the beginning of October of 7B.C..
Here's why...
If Jesus was born October 6B.C., that means He would only be 11 years old during the April 7B.C. Passover. He would not turn 12 until the October of 7B.C..
Therefore, Jesus was born October 7B.C..