A discovery by NASA may provide evidence supporting one of the most significant events in the Bible, even revealing the specific date it likely occurred. Using an astronomical model, NASA scientists determined that a lunar eclipse turned the moon red over Jerusalem on Friday, April 3, 33 AD — a date historically associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Science and religion have rarely intersected so precisely. But this NASA study, aligning with the Biblical timeline, is creating waves of discussion.
The Bible states that after Jesus was crucified, strange phenomena appeared in the sky. “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land,” according to a translation of the Gospel of Matthew 27:45.
NASA confirms a lunar eclipse occurred on the crucifixion day
NASA found that a lunar eclipse, during which the moon turns red, was visible over Jerusalem shortly after sunset on the same day Jesus is believed to have died. The agency noted, “Christian texts mention that the moon turned to blood after Jesus’s crucifixion — potentially referring to a lunar eclipse, during which the moon takes on a reddish hue.”
The theory of this eclipse was originally proposed by Oxford University researchers Colin Humphreys and W. Graeme Waddington.
Biblical verses and scientific alignment
The Book of Acts 2:20 contains a prophetic reference: “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
This verse, spoken by Apostle Peter 50 days after the crucifixion, has long been debated by scholars. Another prophecy from Joel 2:28-31 warns, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.”
While some believe these verses point to the Second Coming of Christ, Humphreys and Waddington argue that they refer to the eerie occurrences on the day of the crucifixion.
Their research highlights a lesser-known passage from the Report of Pilate, stating, “At his crucifixion, the sun was darkened; the stars appeared and in all the world people lighted lamps from the sixth hour till evening; the moon appeared like blood.”
They argue this confirms the lunar eclipse and matches what the Bible records. NASA’s findings support this interpretation and give more weight to their conclusions.
They further reference Peter’s“ words—“the sun shall be turned into darkness”—aligning it with Matthew 27:45 and the three hours of darkness recorded in the Gospels.
