Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 3/31/2006

Question
Hi Dr. Clark,
I was wondering if you could shed some light on this for
me. I've been reading St. Irenaeus' "Against Heresies," and
came to his passage in book 2 where he claims that Jesus
lived to about 50 before He was crucified (2.22.4-6).
Irenaeus uses Scripture, reason, and Apostolic tradition to
substantiate his claim, and he actually makes a lot of sense.
Of course, every opponent of Irenaeus and of apostolic
tradition will point to this claim as ludicrous, since Jesus's
ministry was "obviously" about 3 or 3 1/2 years. But why is
it that obvious? St. John records three differnt Passovers,
but does that necessarily mean that they were the ONLY
three during His ministry? Obviously Jesus said and did a
lot more than John recorded (Jn 21:25). So, I guess this is a
multi-part question:
1. Was St. Irenaeus right, or could he have been wrong?
2. Do any other Church Fathers make any mentions of
Jesus' age when He died?
3. Is there any strong biblical evidence that His ministry
was only 3 - 3 1/2 years? Or even from secular sources?
4. Does the Catholic Church have a position on this one
way or another? And does it even matter?

Thanks so much for your help!

Answer
Hi... this is an interesting question and I wish I had more time to pursue it. This article in the Catholic Encyclopedia might be of some help, if you haven't seen it already. The argumentation about the chronology of Jesus can get pretty complicated. I think it is important if a person wants to know. But from a pastoral perspective it might be less important than simply getting the "Good News" message out.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08377a.htm   go to II (C)

See also:

http://www.propadeutic.com/faith/history/debates.html

http://www.doig.net/NTC14.htm