Scholars debate the details of Jesus' birth, and few claim to know the exact year or date of his birth or death. The Gospels of Luke and Matthew place Jesus' birth under the reign of Herod the Great, and Luke describes his birth during the first census of the Roman provinces of Syria and Iudaea. Scholars suggest that he was born between 7 and 2 BC/BCE. Jesus' ministry followed that of John the Baptist. Near the end of his life, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, and then led a ministry of preaching and healing in Galilee. He traveled to Jerusalem, where he was crucified. The Gospels name Pontius Pilate as the Roman prefect that had him crucified, and he reigned between 26 and 36 AD/CE.
The common Western standard for numbering years is based on an early medieval attempt to count the years from Jesus' birth. That's why his birth occurs near the hypothetical "Year Zero."
While Christmas, in honor of Jesus' birth, falls on December 25th, there's no indication that this was his actual birthday. Jesus died after Passover, a Jewish holiday occuring in northern spring. Christians commemorate Jesus' death at this time of year, on Good Friday.
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