Did the Old Testament Predict the Exact Day of Jesus’ Crucifixion?
- Chad Fisher
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
How precise is the Word of God? Does the Old Testament predict the exact day that Jesus would be crucified? In the Book of Daniel, there’s a prophecy, some say, that is pointing straight to the cross of Jesus Christ. It’s called the "70 Weeks." Grab your Bible, pull up a seat, and let’s dive into God’s Word to see what scripture says about this Daniel 70 Weeks prophecy and Jesus’ crucifixion timeline.
Daniel’s Vision: The 70 Weeks Prophecy Explained
Turn to Daniel 9:24-27—it can be a little cumbersome but let's read it. “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25 Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
“Seventy weeks are decreed,” the Lord tells Daniel, “to finish the transgression… and to anoint a most holy place.” Then in verses 26 comes what we are interested in: “an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.” This is speaking of Jesus and His laying down His life. In this passage, these "weeks" aren’t seven days; they’re seven years each—70 sets, for a total of 490 years. It’s a countdown from a king’s word to rebuild Jerusalem right to the Messiah’s sacrifice, a cornerstone of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled.
It Starts with a Decree: The Prophecy’s Beginning
Picture a king’s command like a gate swinging open. Most scholars believe this starts with Artaxerxes in 445 BC, telling Nehemiah, “Go fix Jerusalem’s walls” (Nehemiah 2:1-8). From there, Daniel says it will be 69 "weeks"—483 years—until the Messiah shows up. Now, the calendar of scripture runs a bit differently than ours: 360 days a year. So, 483 times 360 is 173,880 days. Run that out from 445 BC, and you’re stepping into AD 30-33, which places us right in Jesus’ time. It’s like God laid out the blueprint (timeline) and said, “Here’s where the Lamb will die.” This starting point is key to understanding the Jesus crucifixion timeline.
The Cross in God’s Timeline: Prophecy Meets History
Jesus hung on that cross during Passover—Nisan 14, maybe AD 30 or 33—when the lambs were slain. Pilate’s soldiers drove the nails, but God’s hand was guiding it all. Daniel’s “cut off” fits near perfectly: Jesus forsaken, bleeding and dying, with nothing left but a borrowed tomb. Some, like old Sir Robert Anderson, suggest those 173,880 days land on Jesus riding into Jerusalem (April 6, AD 32), just before the crucifixion. The numbers are very close, making this a stunning example of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled.
Breaking Down the Math: How Daniel’s Prophecy Calculates
Let’s break it down:
Step 1: The Starting Point
445 BC, when King Artaxerxes told Nehemiah, “Rebuild Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:1-8). That’s the gate opening.
Step 2: Weeks to Years
69 "weeks" = 69 × 7 years = 483 years.
Step 3: Years to Days
483 years × 360 days/year = 173,880 days. (God’s year’s a bit shorter than ours)
Step 4: Count the Days
Start at 445 BC, add 173,880 days and you land around AD 30-33—Jesus’ time.
This simple math shows how the Daniel 70 Weeks prophecy could pinpoint Jesus’ crucifixion, offering a clear timeline for Bible prophecy enthusiasts to explore.
Some Wisdom: Trusting God’s Perfect Timing
Here’s the practical bit: whether Daniel pegged the day or the season, the cross wasn’t a surprise. God throughout the Old Testament said He’d send a Savior, and He did—right on time. Galatians 4:4 says, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son.” That’s wisdom for living: trust God’s timing. Jesus took the nails so we could walk free—prophecy or no, that’s the rock we stand on. This truth anchors our faith in the precision of biblical prophecy.
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Closing: Join the Conversation
Comment below. If this stirs you, check my takes on how Rome crucified our Lord and prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Share this—let’s ponder God’s wisdom together and explore how the Old Testament predicts Jesus’ crucifixion.
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