The Length of Jesus’ Public Ministry

The traditional length is three years, based on the testimony of the Gospels, but there are modern scholars who are willing to protract the ministry almost to ten. The Gospel of John is the most explicit about the three years of testimony that the Savior rendered. It is unlikely that in such a concrete detail, St. John would have fictionalized a story well known to all.

There is really no need to protract Our Lord’s public ministry beyond what is given in the Gospels. St. John’s account is clear enough; all the rest is speculation that does not add any significant theological or moral element into the story.