Philip's Death in 20th Year (Rejected)

REJECTED Medium Level 1

Fact

Philip the Tetrarch died in the 20th year of Tiberius (AD 33/34)

Evidence

• Majority of Greek manuscripts read '20th year'

• 20th year would be AD 33/34

• Philip reigned 37 years back from AD 33/34 = started 4/3 BC

• This would support 4 BC death of Herod

Depends On

Tiberius' 15th Year Very High

Why This Interpretation Is Rejected

• Early Latin manuscripts preserve the '22nd year' reading
• The 20th year reading conflicts with multiple independent lines of evidence
• The 1 BC death date for Herod has stronger support overall
• Later scribes may have 'corrected' to match assumed 4 BC tradition

Accepted Alternative: Philip's Death in 22nd Year of Tiberius

This rejected reading from Greek manuscripts would support the traditional 4 BC death of Herod. However, the early Latin manuscripts with "22nd year" better align with the weight of other evidence.