On the Age of the Apostles April 11, 2008
Posted by Jonathan Brennekce in Random.Tags: Apostles, Discpiles, Jesus, Peter, tax, Temple tax
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Have you ever wondered about the age of the apostles? ….No? …Well, I guess I haven’t either. Fortunately for us slackers, however, there are those who study the subtle nuances and hidden codecs in scripture. And then there’s my brother.
The rest of his bio aside he happens to be a wizard with the aforementioned, with bible codes, Hebrew texts and all that jazz. So, perhaps I should get around to the point in all of this. Well, he takes a passage about taxes (dig Matthew 17:24-27) and comes up with a relative approximation of the disciples age. Cool huh? It’s like this, the temple tax mentioned is only collected from those above the age of 20 (see Exodus 30:15) and since Jesus only comes up with enough money to pay for him and Peter (via the fish…) it would seem as if the other disciples are under 20. Verse 27 reads, “And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Interestingly, the other disciples are with him at this point, yet no mention is made of their provision. Now, that’s not the point of the passage, per se, but it an interesting suggestion, nonetheless. Perhaps there’s even a pattern here: God choses Mary and Joseph, aged in their teens. God choses the disciples, possibly of a similar age…. Young reader, what comes next? God chooses you?
I want to find out who was the oldest person that lived during the New Testament times. In much of my reading the number age is not given, only the aged prophet, the elder, etc. I would appreciate your help.
Thanks, Cheryl
Since most of the main characters died rather early (i.e. Peter was crucified, James was run through with a spear, etc.) the new testament is relatively vague on ages. All I can think of at the moment would be the same ones you mentioned, Anna the prophetess (mentioned only in Luke 2:36-38 ) who was said to have been at least eighty four. Also, John the Apostle was the only disciple who died of natural causes so his longevity could have been estimable for that period, especially given that he calls himself “the Elder” in 2 and 3 John. As far as determining the oldest person that lived during the NT times, I don’t think one could ever get beyond speculation. It is an interesting point nonetheless. Thank you.
Outside of the NT, people obviously experienced longer lifespans. Its interesting to note the change in lifespans over time: The genealogy in Genesis 5 states:
Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died. [Genesis 5:27]
Sometime later, in Genesis 6:3, The Lord states, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”. Yet in Psalms 90:10 one finds that “The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”