Lunar Eclipse (4 magg 3 anni – 5 magg 3 anni)

Descrizione:

The Lunar Eclipse
In Antiquities 17.6.4 (§167), Josephus writes:

“But Herod deprived this Matthias of the high priesthood, and burnt the other Matthias, who had raised the sedition, with his companions alive. And that very night there was an eclipse of the moon.”

This lunar eclipse occurs right after Herod executes Matthias (a high priest) and others who tore down a golden eagle Herod had placed over the Temple — considered idolatrous.

So, this eclipse happens shortly before Herod’s death, which Josephus says occurred not long before Passover.

Passover Mention
In Antiquities 17.9.3 (§213), he writes:

“Now, upon the approach of that feast of unleavened bread, which the Jews call the Passover...”

He places Herod's funeral and the succession of Archelaus just before Passover. This confirms that Herod died shortly before Passover, after the lunar eclipse and the events that followed.

First, the Facts:
May 4, 3 AD — Was There a Lunar Eclipse?
Yes!
According to astronomical data, there was a partial lunar eclipse on May 4, 3 AD (Julian calendar), which would’ve been visible in parts of Europe and the Middle East, including Judea.

Could This Eclipse Have Preceded Passover?
To answer this, we have to know when Passover (14th of Nisan) fell in 3 AD, and whether that Hebrew year had an intercalated 13th month (Adar II), which would’ve delayed Passover by about 30 days.

Hebrew Calendar Basics:
The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, so months follow the moon, but the calendar must stay aligned with the solar seasons (especially so Passover stays in spring).

A leap year adds a 13th month, called Adar II, about 7 times in a 19-year cycle.

This pushes Nisan (and therefore Passover) roughly a month later in that year.

Was 3 AD a Hebrew Leap Year?

If so...

Nisan 14 (Passover) would have likely landed in early May, instead of early April.

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