Historical Evidence of the Crucifixion Darkness

“And from the sixth hour (midday), darkness was over all the land, until the ninth hour (3pm)“
Matthew 27:45

In the Gospels, we are told that at the sixth hour, which is midday according to the Jewish daylight cycle, “darkness came over the land” until the midafternoon, followed by earthquakes (Matthew 27:51). This clearly would have been a miraculous event for the midday sun to be suddenly darkened without warning or “logical” cause.

Of course, many believe that this account is only mentioned in the Bible, and cannot be confirmed elsewhere. However, this is not actually true, and more than one historical source attests to these events.

Ancient Greek & Roman Historical Records

Fragments of accounts of ancient historians, Thallus (estimated 52 A.D) and Phlegon of Tralles (estimated to have lived between 80-140 A.D) are quoted by Sextus Julius Africanus, a Christian historian who lived between 160-240 AD, which confirm both the sudden darkness of the time, and the quakes.

There are also other historical hints from later Christian writers, such as Tertullian (written 197 A.D) and Christian historian Rufinus of Aquileia who quotes a supposed letter of Lucian of Antioch (from 312 A.D), which appear to hint or attest that there were other non-Christian ancient writings confirming these events which are now lost to us, in that they wrote to Roman authorities, using “their own” writings against them.

• “It became night in the sixth hour of the day (noon) so that stars even appeared in the heavens. There was a great earthquake in Bithynia, and many things were overturned in Nicaea” – Phlegon of Tralles
• “On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his history, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun…. Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth, manifestly of which we speak…” – Sextus Julius Africanus Chronography on Thallus & Phlegon
• Those who were not aware that this had been predicted about [the] Anointed, no doubt thought it an eclipse. You yourselves have the account of the world-portent still in your archives.” – Tertullian, Apologia to the Romans
• Search your writings and you shall find that in Pilates time, when [the] Anointed suffered, the sun was suddenly withdrawn and darkness followed”. – Lucian of Antioch‘s letter to Maximus

What is interesting about these accounts, is that the non-Christians do not deny these events, but as we see cited, attempt to explain the nature of the sudden darkness by attributing them to natural events, such as an “eclipse of the sun”.

However, Sextus is quick to make an argument against the likes of Thallus and Phlegon, that it was not possible for a natural eclipse to occur during the period of the Passover, as he states “the moon is diametrically opposed to the Sun”, meaning, it is on the other side of the planet and opposite to the sun during this season:

“For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our saviour falls on the day before the Passover, but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun, and it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new moon, and the last day of the old, that is, at their junction… what have an eclipse in common with and earthquake, and a resurrection of the dead….”. – Sextus Julius Africanus

Therefore, not only do we have historical confirmation from non-Christian historians who lived during the time and in the vicinity of these events, but also a defence made by ancient Christians based upon the solid logic of the alignment of the luminaries in accordance to phases of the moon and the seasons, in combination with the recorded quakes which were said to happen at the exact same time, to shoot down the idea that it was a naturalistic event such as an eclipse.

Another detail to note, is that these non-Christian historians also confirm the length of time the darkness occurred, from noon till 3pm, which is far longer than any natural eclipse, for the longest a natural eclipse may last, is only up to the maximum of a few minutes:

“…when the Sun is completely covered lasts no more than a couple of minutes for any given location… The longest times for any eclipse can last up to seven minutes“. – Western Kentucky University

Ancient Chinese Historical Records

Another unexpected historical source of possible confirmation, comes all the way from East Asia, in ancient Chinese records.

• “Summer, fourth month [of the year], on the day of Ren Wu, the imperial edict reads, ‘Yin and Yang have mistakenly switched, and the sun and moon were eclipsed. The sins of all the people are now on one man. Pardon is proclaimed to all under heaven… In the day of Gui Hai, the last day of the month, there was a solar eclipse. [The emperor] avoided the Throne Room, suspended all military activities and did not handle official business for five days.” – History of Latter Han Dynasty, Vol. 1, Chronicles of Emperor Guang Wu (Guangwu), 7th year

What is fascinating about this record, is that it describes roughly the same time period Yeshua died, the “fourth month of the 7th year of the Emperor Guang Wu“, which was March-April 31AD, and the same events of the darkness coming over the land. And like the other historians who were unable to explain what was going on, attributed it to some kind of eclipse, which as we have already established, wasn’t possible that time of year.

Further evidence that this was unusual to them, is that the Emperor Guang Wu, went into hiding, this event clearly frightened him, but a normal eclipse would certainly not evoke such a reaction, as the ancient Chinese were very well acquainted with astronomical events and patterns.

Another thing you may have also noticed, is the phrase “the sins of all people are on one man”. Of course, it is very temping to connect this phrase to the sacrifice of Yeshua, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves on this one.

We must remember, the ancient Chinese of the Han dynasty very likely knew nothing at all about Yeshua and the events going on in Israel. This sudden darkness during his death was a shock, even to those living in Israel. Likely, this sentence was referring to the Emperor himself, as the Emperor’s position was considered the “mandate of heaven”, a God given right. Therefore, it is fair to reason that the Emperor may have assumed he was in trouble with the gods, and therefore was “responsible for the sins of his people”.

Nevertheless, this record is an astonishing attestment to the events which happened that day to Yeshua.

These records are in fact so faith strengthening, part of me even considers them “too good to be true”, as the saying goes; “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is”. And as Christians, though we wish to defend our faith, it would be wrong to rely upon lies or falsified stories.

One thing that sticks out to me as odd, is that there seems to be a contradiction within these passages on ‘what day’ of the week the event of the darkness happened. Whether it be “Ren Wu” or “Gui Hai”, or if perhaps they somehow mean the same thing (I am not acquainted too well with ancient Chinese day/month/year terminologies). It is possible perhaps that the ‘edict’ was written on the day of Ren Wu, but that the actual event happened on the day of Gui Hai.

However, as to this date, I have not found anything denying the validity of these records, and thus it would seem to be a very strong piece of evidence for the miracle which may have occurred during the crucifixion.

Of course, there is one other major issue with this record… and that is the year stated.

These events are recorded to 31A.D. Though the year of Yeshua’s death is debated, and has been suggested to have been between anywhere from 30A.D-33A.D, the fact we must look to here is scripture appears to tell us that Yeshua died just before the Sabbath day (John 19:31), and raised from the dead on the “first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1, Luke 24:1-2, Mark 16:9, John 20:1), but in the year of 31A.D his death would have been the third day of the week (a Tuesday) which was not a day before a typical Sabbath, and his rising would have been the “fifth or sixth day” of the week (Thursday or Friday).

Therefore, if these Chinese records are accurate, then they may have been referring to either some other event which was oddly remarkably similar to the events of Yeshua’s death and resurrection.

The only other option to suggest would be that either we are misunderstanding the Bible’s meanings and dates, or, the Bible has been corrupted in places where it is stated that Yeshua raised up on the first day of the week (of which there is indeed manuscript evidence for).

Some would also argue that the Sabbath also forces Yeshua’s death to be on a Friday, but this not need not be the case as it wasn’t a typical Sabbath the account spoke of, as the Jews held a “special Sabbath” on the day after Nisan 14, no matter what day of the week it was (Leviticus 23:5-7).

Therefore, it could be a little ambiguous over whether Yeshua died on 31A.D or 33.AD, and whether or not these Chinese records coincide.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there is compelling non-Christian historical evidence that these events in the Gospels truly happened, and with additional naturalistic lunar cycle evidence, we can be sure that this was not merely a natural event which the locals superstitiously attributed to their deities.

“When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Yeshua saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God’”.
Matthew 27:54