A Chronological Table of Paul’s Life and Ministry
Year
Contemporary Events
44 BC
Julius Caesar Assassinated
4 BC
Birth of Jesus Christ
2 BC
Birth of Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
6
Herod Archelaus deposed by Augustus; Samaria, Judea and Idumea placed under Roman administration, capital, Caesarea
7
Quirinius: Governor (legatus) of Syria, 1st Roman tax census of Judaea. He appoints Ananus ben Seth as High Priest.
8
Jesus (age 12) at the Temple
9
M. Ambivius: Roman Prefect of Judaea
12
Annius Rufus: Roman Prefect of Judaea
14
TIBERIUS becomes emperor.
15
Valerius Gratus: Roman Prefect of Judaea
18
Joseph Caiaphas: High Priest of Jerusalem Temple, appointed by Valerius Gratus
26
Pontius Pilate: Roman Prefect of Judaea
27
John the Baptist begins ministry
33
John the Baptist killed by Herod Antipas
33-36
Jesus’ Ministry
36
Paul’s Conversion
37
Marcellus: Roman Prefect of Judaea
37
Paul at Damascus
CALIGULA (Gaius Augustus Caesar) becomes emperor (37 to 41), upon the death of TIBERIUS.
37
Herod Agrippa I: king of tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanias
38
Flight from Damascus to Jerusalem, then to Tarsus
39
Herod Antipas exiled to Gaul on charges of secret alliance with Parthians. Caligula gives his tetrarchy (Galilee) to Herod Agrippa.
40
Paul goes to Jerusalem to meet with Peter [Gal 1:18-20]
41
CLAUDIUS becomes emperor (41 to 54), upon the death of CALIGULA.
39 to 43
Paul preaches in Syria and Cilicia, making his headquarters in Tarsus.
Judea and Samaria given to Herod Agrippa I.
Invasion of Britain by Aulus Plautius.
44
Paul brought from Tarsus to Antioch; stays there one year before the famine. James brother of John executed by Herod Agrippa.
Death of Herod Agrippa I. Cuspius Fadus, procurator, succeeds to the government of Judea.
45
Paul visits Jerusalem with Barnabas to relieve the famine.
46
At Antioch.
Tiberius Alexander made procurator of Judea.
47
At Antioch
48
First Missionary Journey (Paul and Barnabas) - from Antioch to Cyprus, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe
Agrippa II (Acts 25) made king of Chalcis.
49
… and back through the same places to Antioch
Cumanus made procurator of Judea
50
Paul and Barnabas attend the Council of Jerusalem
Caractacus captured by Romans in Britain; Cogdinus, father of Claudia (? 2 Tim. 4:21) assists the Romans in Britain.
51
Second Missionary Journey - from Antioch to Cilicia, Lycaonia, Galatia
52
… Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth (writes 1 Thessalonians)
Claudius expels the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).
53
At Corinth; writes 2 Thessalonians
Tetrarchy of Trachonitis given to Agrippa II; Felix procurator.
54
Spring: leaves Corinth and reaches Jerusalem at Pentecost; goes to Antioch
Autumn:
Third Missionary Journey - goes to Ephesus.
NERO becomes emperor (54-68), upon the death of CLAUDIUS (who was poisoned by his wife, Agrippina).
55, 56
Paul at Ephesus
57
Spring: writes 1 Corinthians
Summer: leaves Ephesus for Macedonia where he writes 2Corinthians in Autumn.
Winter: goes to Corinth, writes Galatians
58
Spring: writes Romans, leaves Corinth, going by Philippi and Miletus to …
Summer: …Jerusalem at Pentecost. He is arrested and sent to Caesarea.
59
At Caesarea
Nero murders his mother, Agrippina
60
Autumn: Sent to Rome by Festus
Winter: Shipwrecked at Malta
Felix is recalled and is succeeded by Festus
61
Spring: Arrives at Rome
Embassy of Jews comes from Jerusalem to petition about the wall.
62
At Rome.
Spring: Writes Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians
Autumn: Writes Philippians.
Burrus dies; Albinus succeeds Festus as procurator of Judea; Nero marries Poppaea.
63
Paul acquitted at Rome; goes to Macedonia and Asia Minor
Daughter Claudia born to Poppaea
64
Paul goes to Spain (?)
Great fire at Rome; Roman Christians blamed and persecuted by Nero.
65
In Spain (?)
Gessius Florus made procurator of Judea; conspiracy of Piso and death of Seneca.
66
Summer: from Spain (?) to Asia
Jewish War begins.
67
Summer: Writes 1Timothy from Macedonia
Autumn: Writes Titus from Ephesus.
Winter: At Nicopolis
68
Spring: In prison at Rome, writes 2Timothy
Summer: Paul executed at Nero’s orders.
Death of Nero in middle of June. GALBA becomes emperor (68 to 69)
Sources: Cornelius Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome and Agricola
Conybeare, W. J. and Howson, J. S., The Life and Epistles of St. Paul