Although I don’t mean to contradict all the Bible students and scholars’ findings, at the same time, I wanted to give my friend a reasonable answer based on the best starting point I could come up with. I also want to avoid engaging in a debate about how to determine which years are Sabbatical years. Fifteen years ago, I lost a friend over this same basic topic—except it was more along the lines of how to reckon the Jubilee cycle. What started out as a friendly disagreement ended in a less-than-cordial way. It really shouldn’t have ended like that, especially since I don’t think it’s possible for any of us to truly keep the precepts of the Jubilee year in this day and age. But that was then (2009), and this, the year 2024, is now.

     As a result of my searching for the best answer to give my 2024 friend, I am personally led to believe this year is not a Sabbatical year. Moreover, if my research conclusion is correct, the next Sabbatical year won’t begin until the fall of 2026. Here’s how I made this determination: First, I think it’s reasonable to believe that when Yeshua stood up to read the text of Isaiah 61:1-2 (c.f., Luke 4:16-21)—a passage about proclaiming liberty to the captives, releasing the oppressed and proclaiming the acceptable year of Yahweh—this is reminiscent of the Jubilee year, when debts were forgiven and slaves set free (c.f., Lev 25:8-17). On that basis, I think it’s within reason to believe that particular year was a Jubilee year. That seems like a reasonable place to start. But in what year did Yeshua begin His ministry?

     To answer this question, I should point out that Yeshua’s reading from Isaiah essentially marked the starting point of His earthly ministry. I am persuaded that His ministry lasted 3½ years, and in our study Balancing the Calendar II, my wife, June, and I lay out in detail why we are persuaded Yeshua was crucified in the year 31 ce.  If we back up 3½ years, this brings us to the years 27-28 ce.  That, then, is my starting point.

     What I found interesting about using 27-28 ce as a Jubilee year starting point is the fact that this would mean 69-70 ce was a Sabbatical year. Many Bible students know the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 ce, but it’s not widely known that the year 70 ce was a Sabbatical year. It is true that some scholars are persuaded the previous year (68-69 ce) was a Sabbatical year. However, at least two ancient Jewish sources claim the Temple (both the first one and the second one) was destroyed at the end of a Sabbatical year. Here’s what we read in Taanit 4:5 of the Jerusalem Talmud:

It was stated: Rebbi Yose says, the day of the destruction of the Temple was after the end of the Sabbath, at the end of a Sabbatical year, during the watch of Yehoyariv, on the Ninth of Av. And so it happened the second time. Both times the Levites were standing on the platform and singing, He turned on them their wrongs, in their malice he eradicates them, eradicates them the Eternal, our [Almighty].

     The above information is repeated in Seder Olam Rabbah 30:

Rabbi Yossi says, “A merit ends up being on a day of merit and a punishment ends up being on a day of punishment. For you will find to say that when the First Temple was destroyed, that day was the culmination of the Shabbat, and it was at the culmination of the Sabbatical year and it was during the watch of Yehoyariv and it was the ninth of Av. And likewise with the Second. And in both this one and that one, the Levites were standing on the platform and reciting song. And what song did they recite? ‘He will make their evil recoil upon them’ (Psalms 94:23).”

     Please understand I’m not trying for twist anyone’s arm into believing the Temple was destroyed at the end of a Sabbatical year. But based on my starting sequence (27-28 ce), combined with the above historical testimony, I am saying I believe it’s possible, plus it would fall right in line with Yeshua declaring a Jubilee year in 27-28 ce.

     So if 27-28 ce was indeed a Jubilee year and we count forward all the way up to our present time, when is the next Sabbatical year? Based on my calculations, the next upcoming Sabbatical year doesn’t start until the fall of 2026. Click here if you’d like to see the chart I came up with.

     In summary, here is why I am personally persuaded that the next Sabbatical year will begin in the fall of 2026:

1) I am personally persuaded that Yeshua was crucified and, most importantly, resurrected in the year 31 ce.

2) If the above is true, it is reasonable to believe Yeshua began to teach in the years 27-28 ce.

3) If 27-28 ce comprised a Jubilee year, the Temple was destroyed at the end of a Sabbatical year (69-70 ce).

4) If, as ancient Jews believed, the Jubilee year was not inclusive of year 1 of the next cycle, this makes 1977-1978 ce a Jubilee year, and the next Sabbatical year will occur beginning in the fall of 2026 ce.

     I make no claims as to when Yeshua will return, especially since I am persuaded the bridegroom is delayed (Matt 25:1-10). I can only pray that we, those who eagerly and earnestly await that Day, are prepared. May His Kingdom come, and may His will be done.