NEW TESTAMENT CHRONOLOGY.
Some definite, probable, or possible dates of some major events of Bible history.

B.C. 5 THE PROBABLE DATE OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

Our calendar starts about five years too late for the birth of Christ, this is because of an error made in approximately A.D. 525 by Dionysius Exiguus, the person who devised our present calendar. This calendar was used by the venerable Bede, early in the 8th. century, and was fixed in secular history by the Frank kings Pepsin and Charlemagne. Dionysius fixed the birth of Christ at A.U. 754, the 754th. year of the supposed founding of Rome by Romulus, instead of A.U. 749, which is B.C. 5. (Ramsay B. C. 6)

The first enrolment when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Lk.2v2.

A. T. Robertson makes the following instructive comment on Lk.2v2., "The first enrolment," "apographe prote." A definite allusion by Luke to a series of censuses instituted by Augustus, the second of which is mentioned by him in Acts.5v37.. This second one is described by Josephus and it was supposed by some that Luke confused the two. But Ramsay has shown that a periodical fourteen-year census in Egypt is given in dated papyri back to A.D. 20. The one in Acts.5v37. would then be A.D. 6. This is in the time of Augustus. The first would then be B.C. 8 in Egypt. If it was delayed a couple of years in Palestine by Herod the Great for obvious reasons, that would make the birth of Christ about B.C. 6 which agrees with the other known data. "When Quirinius." "Kureniou." Gen. absolute. Here again Luke has been attacked on the ground that Quirinius was only governor of Syria once and that was A.D. 6 as shown by Josephus (Ant.XVIII.I.I). But Ramsay has proven by inscriptions that Quirinius was twice in Syria and that Luke is correct here also. See summary of the facts in my "Luke the Historian in the Light of Research," p. 118-29.

1. The Lord Jesus was born 15 months after the ministry of Zechariah in the Temple.

Zechariah was of the was of the house of Abijah. We see from Lk.1v5. and 1Chron.24v10., that the house of Abijah ministered in the 8th course. Some have calculated that the course of Abijah ministered in the second part of the fourth month, Tammuz, i.e. June to July. Elizabeth became pregnant; then six months later the angel came to Mary. Jesus was born 9 months and 2 weeks later; ( the human gestation period is about 284 days.) If Elizabeth conceived about June 25th., this would mean that Christ would be born at about Sept. 16th., and would bring the birth of Christ into the month Tishri, which coincides with our September to October date. The Feast of Tabernacles taking place on the 15th. to the 21st. of Tishri (also called Elhanin). The date of John's birth depends on which year our Lord was born. It all depends when the first day of Nisan occurred, this could vary between, say, April 17th., or even a month earlier.

The shepherds were abiding in the fields when Jesus was born. Lk.2v8. This shows that it was before December, for flocks were never kept out in the open in the winter. From the first rain in October or November, until the Spring, the shepherds did not keep their flocks in the open, they kept them indoors and did not send their sheep out until after the Passover.

Since our Lord was born in either September or October, there would be plenty of time for the following events.

a. The circumcision of Christ eight days after His birth. Lk.2v21.

b. The presentation in the Temple forty days after our Lord's birth. Lk.2v22-39.

c. The visit of the Magi, Greek, "Magoi." Mt.2v1-12.

d. The flight into Egypt, and Herod's murder of the innocents. Mt.2v13-18.

e. The death of Herod a little while before the Passover. Matt.2v19. A.U.C. 750. Josephus Ant. 17.6.4. to 17.9.3.

The A.U.C. calendar is dated from the year of the founding of Rome.

f. The return from Egypt and the settlement at Nazareth. Mt.2v19-23.

2. Our Lord was born just before the death of Herod.

According to Josephus Herod died in the year of Rome A.U. 750, just before the Passover. Josephus Antiquities. 17.8.1.; 6.18.4.; and 17.9.3.. The Passover in 4 B.C. fell on April 11th., so Herod died early in April in B.C. 4.. Josephus tells us that there was an eclipse of the moon just before the death of Herod. Ant. 17.6.4. According to astronomical calculations eclipses of the moon occurred and were visible in Palestine on March 23rd. B.C. 5; on September 15th. B.C. 5; on March 12th. B.C. 4; and January 9th. B.C. 1. The eclipse of the moon on March 12th. B.C. 4 verifies the time of Herod's death.

Who were the Magi? Where were they from?

a. Matthew tells us that these Magi were led to Jesus by a study of the stars.

Babylon was the home of astrology, but the Magi could have come from anywhere in the East, Arabia, Babylon, Persia, or elsewhere. The word for east in v1 is, "apo anatolon," which means "from the rising" of the sun. The Magi knew that the King of the Jews was about to be born, and a star led them to Jesus. Did they know the Jewish prophecies? Did they have a Divine revelation? We know that they came to Jesus and worshipped Him, and that God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Mt.2v12. Their gifts gave Joseph, Mary and Jesus the finances to escape to Egypt. The whole of the Middle East was expecting that some remarkable was event about to take place.

b. The word "Magos" means "magician or sorcerer."

It is used in this sense of Simon the sorcerer in Acts.8v9,11.; and Elymas Barjesus the sorcerer in Acts.13v6,8..

c. Among the Persians and Babylonians there was a priestly cast of Magi.

Daniel was elevated to be the head of this order of wise men. Dan.1v4. 2v48. They were expected to interpret stars and dreams and other supernatural matters.

N. B. 1. We read in Mt.2v11. that the wise men came "into the house." This was certainly not the stable at Bethlehem, some think this could have been a house in Bethlehem, and they think that the Magi could have come within the forty days of the purification.

N. B. 2. Legend has made these Magi into three kings named Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior; and the number has been thought to be three from the three kinds of gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but there is no mention of the names or the actual number of the Magi.

N. B. 3. Some think that the star was the conjugation of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, which took place in February of B.C. 6. Another explanation is that it was Comet number 52 on the list of Comets published in A.D. 1871 by the astronomer John Williams; Comet 52 appeared for 70 days early in B.C. 5, and it would have been visible in the Middle East. However, the "star" had characteristics which cannot be fitted into normal stellar phenomenon; for the star accurately guided the Magi to the very house where Jesus was living, Mt.2v9., seems to have been miraculous and divine.

N. B. 4. When our Lord returned from Egypt, God warned Joseph to keep away from Judea where Herod's son Archelaus reigned. The mother of Archelaus was Malthrace, a Samaritan woman. This warning was absolutely necessary for Archelaus was a tyrant; Josephus tells us that Archelaus was deposed and banished in the tenth year of his reign, in A.D. 6, for cruelty and mass murder. Josephus Ant. 17.13.2.

N. B. 5. The terrible murder of the children must have taken place soon after the visit of the wise men to Herod. Knowing Herod's previous murderous record, his impatience to murder the promised King of the Jews would be unrestrainable, he had murdered his own wife and children for less. The murder of children under two years does not mean two years had passed by, Herod probably extended the time of the rising of the "star," which he had accurately gathered from the wise men, just to make sure that he had killed this infant king. It was undoubtedly a case of weeks or months, not years, before Herod sent his soldiers to kill the children. It is worth noting that God sent Jesus to Egypt for safety, and did not protect Christ with multitudes of angels.

A. D. 7,8. JESUS BECOMES A SON OF THE LAW.

Jesus becomes "a son of the Law" at twelve years of age, the five shekels are paid. Numb.3v47. 18v16. At twelve years of age the Jewish boys were put to learn a trade, and they took on the responsibilities laid down for men under the covenant of the Law. This involved solemn initiation into the doctrines and ceremonies of the Law. Luke's Gospel gives us a valuable insight into the soul of Jesus at twelve years of age, and also the revelation of the inability of Joseph and Mary to understand our Lord's mission. Lk.2v41-52. Jesus was on His own in the concept of His mission long before He was twelve. "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business? And they understood not the saying which He spoke to them." Lk.2v49,50. What loneliness! What frustration! Ps.69v20,21.

A.D. 14. A.U.C. 767. THE DEATH OF AUGUSTUS ON AUGUST 19th., TIBERIUS SUCCEEDS HIM.

It is important to note that from A.D. 11, (A.U. 764) Tiberius ha been co-regent with Augustus, and had equal authority with Augustus in the provinces. So Seutonius Aug.97. and Tib.21. Tacitus in his Ann.1.3: writes, "Tiberius is adopted by Augustus as his son, and colleague in empire." So Tiberius was equal in authority in the provinces two or more years before the death of Augustus, and Luke would naturally use the provincial point of view.

A.D. 26. JOHN AND JESUS BEGIN THEIR MINISTRIES IN THE FIFTEENTH YEAR OF TIBERIUS.

Another important date occurs from the statement in Lk.3v1,2., that John Baptist entered into his ministry in the fifteenth year of Tiberius. Most scholars have followed Ussher's suggestion that the fifteenth year of Tiberius starts when he became co-regent with Augustus. The fifteenth year was A.U.C. 779, B.C.26. Eusebius states that Pilate was appointed in about the twelfth year of the reign of Tiberius, and that Jesus was baptised in the fourth year of Pilate's governorship; however, there are real problems in this, for Pilate's ten years in office ended just before the death of Tiberius on March 16th. in A.D. 37; so it seems that Pilate was made procurator in A.D. 26. (Both John and Jesus entered into ministry at about 30 years of age, according to Levitical custom. Lk.3v23. Numb.4v3,35,39,43,47. So the simple reckoning back 30 years brings us back to the birth of Christ, B.C. 5, A.U.C.749.

The building of the Temple confirms the time of Christ's ministry and birth.

That John and Jesus started their ministries in A.D. 26 is also confirmed from Jn.2v20.; the Jews said that the Temple had been in the process of building for 46 years, it was completed in A.D. 63, and destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70.

Herod was appointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate in B.C. 40; and he ruled from Jerusalem for 37 years after he had captured it in A.U.C. 714. Josephus states that Herod reigned 37 years from his Roman appointment, and 34 years from the death of Antigonius. A.U.C 717. Ant. 17.8.1. Wars 1.33.8. Josephus tells us that Herod began to build the Temple in his eighteenth year, B.C. 19, A.U.C. 732. Antiquities 15.11.1. The 47th. year following this date would be A.U.C. 779; the Spring of A.D. 27, our Lord's baptism taking place in the Autumn of A.D. 26.. If we go back 30 years from A.U.C. 779 we come to the date A.U.C. 749., B.C. 5 (or possibly 6), as the date of our Lord's birth.

A.D. 29-30. THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD AT THE PASSOVER.

Tertullian, Lactantius, Augustine, and other Latin fathers of the first few centuries, say that our Lord's death occurred during the consulate of the two Geminii, C. Rubellius and C. Fufius, that is in A.U.C. 782., i.e. A.D. 29 to 30. Tertullian, adv. Jud. 8. Aug. C.O.D.? 18.54.1.{Luke tells us, in Luke.3v1,2., that our Lord was 30 years old when he started his ministry, and his ministry lasted 3 to 3½ years, so 33 years taken from 782 A.U.C. would put His birth at 749 A.U.C.}

S. P. Tregelles says Jesus died in A.D. 29 in a footnote on pages 100 & 101 of his "Remarks on the Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel: "In doing this we must remember that the birth of our Lord was about four years before the common era, so that the thirty-third year of His life, when He is supposed to have suffered, would correspond with the year twenty-nine of our reckoning. I believe this to have been the true date; first because of the day of the week on which the Passover commenced in that year; and also, because of the consuls of that year (the two Gemini) having been mentioned by several writers as those of the year when our Lord was put to death. This remark does not affect the instruction given us by God in this chapter; it is a point which I only notice for the removal of difficulties.---------

THE EVENTS RECORDED IN ACTS 1 AND 2. A.D. 30.

A.D. 31 and 32. THE EVENTS MENTIONED IN ACTS 3,4,5 AND 6.

Peter and John heal the cripple at the Beautiful gate of the Temple

A.D. 33. THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN, AND PHILLIP'S EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS IN SAMARIA.

Saul was "a young man," "neanias." Acts.7v50.

Philip's evangelistic efforts in Samaria. Acts.8v5-40. Peter and John visit Samaria, Simon Magnus. Acts.8v14-24.

A.D. 34. SAUL'S CONVERSION. Acts.9v1-22. 1Tim.1v13-17. Saul retires to Arabia. Gal.1v17.

N. B. In Gal.1v17-21. Paul states that he did not get the truths that he preached from men, but by revelation directly from Christ Himself. Paul affirms that he had no contact with the other apostles until THREE YEARS AFTER HIS CONVERSION when he went to Jerusalem from Damascus to see Peter; and that he only remained there 15 days, and then he went to Syria and Cilicia.

Paul then adds that FOURTEEN YEARS LATER he went to Jerusalem with Barnabus and took Titus with him; to let the apostles check the truths that he preached lest he should have run in vain; but none of the leading apostles could add anything to his teaching. Gal. 2v1,2,6. Some have questioned whether these 14 years are to be dated from the conversion of Paul, or from the end of the three years mentioned in Gal.1v18.. The "then," "epeita," of Gal.1v18., is followed by the "then," "epeita," of Gal.1v21., which speaks of Paul going to Syria and Cilicia. The "then," "epeita," of Gal.2v1., follows after the visit to Syria; "epeita dia dekatessaron eton palin anebon," that is, "then (having passed) through (an) interval of fourteen years." This is confirmed as being fourteen years after the Syrian and Cilician visit by Gal.2v1.; where Paul states that he went to Jerusalem with Barnabus and took Titus with him, and laid before the apostles "WHAT HE HAD BEEN PREACHING AMONG THE GENTILES." This cannot be the short visit of Acts.11v30. to 12v25., which was to give alms to Jerusalem's poor; for Paul was sent by the Holy Spirit to preach to the Gentiles in Acts.13v1-4.. Paul certainly would not omit the most important of his visits to Jerusalem when he went to discuss and defend the correctness of his preaching to the Gentiles against the Judaizers in Acts.15v2-28.. This would mean that the Council of Jerusalem took place about seventeen years after Paul's conversion.

N. B. Paul gives a clue to the date of his conversion in 2Cor.11v32., he states that when he escaped from Damascus it was being governed by a governor (Ethnarch) appointed by Aretas, the king of Arabia. This was Aretas 4th. (the title Aretas being a dynastic title), he was a king of the Nabateans, a people populating Northern Arabia, the capital of which was Petra (the O.T. Sela).

In Acts.9v23. we read that "after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him," i.e. Paul. "Were fulfilled," is "eplerounto," the imperative passive indicative of "pleroo," "were in process of being fulfilled. "Many," is "hikanai," a common word for a considerable period of time. Luke does not state, nor infer, that Paul spent all this time in Damascus; indeed, Paul himself informs us that he went to Arabia, and that three years had passed by before Paul was compelled to escape from Damascus. Damascus was under direct Roman administration up to A.D. 34. The following events show how it came under the control of Aretas 4th. Herod Antipas was married to the daughter of Aretas 4th., but while at Rome, in as early as A.D. 23, Herod met Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Philip; and had the impudence to bring Herodias back as his queen. The daughter of Aretas heard of this and fled to the fortress of Machairus, and from there to Petra. When Herod came back he found that the former border dispute with Aretas 4th. had greatly worsened, and that he had a war on his frontier with his angry father in law, because of the ill-treatment of the daughter of Aretas. To make things worse John Baptist took Herod Antipas to task for his adultery with Herodias. Cf. Josephus Ant. 18. 5. 1. and Mt.14v1-13.

Aretas defeated Herod Antipas and invaded his territory late in A.D. 36, (the same year that Pontius Pilate was recalled from his position as procurator of Judea. Josephus Ant. 18.4.2.). Herod appealed for help to Tiberius, who sent Vitellius, the governor of Syria from A.D. 35 to 37, to declare war on Aretas, or pacify the situation, no clear instructions, or accounts of operations have come down to us. Soon after this, on March 16th of A.D. 37, Tiberius died, and Vitellius withdrew his forces and returned to Rome, probably to protect his own interests. The Roman power lay in abeyance awaiting the decisions of Caligula, the new emperor; so it seems that Aretas took the opportunity to occupy Damascus AFTER Vitellius withdrew. Vitellius would hardly have left Damascus in the care of Aretas, after being sent to declare war on him.

Herod Antipas would have done well to have listened to John the Baptist, for his immorality lost him the throne; Caligula deposed and banished Herod Antipas, and expanded the kingdom of Herod Agrippa 1st.. Herod Agrippa had already been given the Tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanius, by Emperor Tiberius, Caligula's predecessor. Josephus Antiquities 18. 6. 10.

Aretes 4th. had been confirmed in his kingdom by Emperor Augustus in A.D. 9, and had ably ruled for 31 years. Caligula carried on the policy of his predecessors, of promoting local kings, the Romans were realists and adapted to the administrations on the borders of their frontiers, in return for collaboration. The absence of distinctive imperial coins in Damascus from A.D.34 to A.D. 62, i.e. for 28 years, certainly indicates that the Romans recognised the Nabatean influence in Damascus. Caligula certainly came down on the side of Aretes, and pronounced judgement against Herod Antipas and deposed and banished him.

A.D. 37.

"After many days" in Arabia, it seems that Paul RETURNS to Damascus and ESCAPES from there for the second time. Gal.1v17. with Acts.9v23-25. and 2Cor.11v32,33. Aretes 4th. tried to arrest Paul, on this second visit, and the Jews were also determined to kill him and so Paul had to escape secretly. The Jews in Damascus did not have the same authority to persecute Christians with Aretes 4th. in control, as when Paul first went to Damascus, with hatred and violence in his heart, and with letters and a commission from the High Priest to persecute and kill the Christians there. Paul goes to Jerusalem and stays there for 15 days, and sees Peter and James. Ga.1v18,19. Acts.9v26,27. Paul disputes with the Grecians; and then is sent to Tarsus by the Church leaders because of death threats. Acts.9v30. Jesus warns Paul that his testimony will not be received and after arguing with the Lord, Paul finally submits and goes to Tarsus. Acts.22v17-21.

The Emperor Tiberius dies on 16th of March 1937. Caligula succeeds him.

A.D. 38 to 41.

The churches enter into a period of rest from persecution. Acts.9v31 In A.D.39.

Caligula gave a command to Petronius, the President of Syria, to set up the Imperial statue in the Temple at Jerusalem. Josephus Bell. Jud. 2.10.1. Ant. 18.8.2. Herod Agrippa interceded with Caligula for the command to be revoked. Josephus Ant.18.8.7. This gave the Jews something to worry about and took their minds off the Church. The church at Jerusalem was under persecution when Paul arrived there in Acts9v26-31., so the 'rest' occurred after this visit of Paul to Jerusalem.

The execution of James, Peter's imprisonment and release by angelic ministry, God executes Herod.

The Jews recovered from this panic and fear when Caligula died on January 24th. A.D.41., and was succeeded by Claudius. The Jews then stirred themselves against the Church, and were aided by Herod Agrippa, who killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he also imprisoned Peter. God executed Herod by causing him to be instantly eaten up with worms for his opposition to the Church and his arrogance when he allowed people to say that he was a god. Acts.12v1,20-23. This occurred in A.D.44.

A.D.41. Some think that Matthew wrote his Gospel in A. D. . Reliable authorities, Papias, Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Athanasius, and Cyril of Jerusalem, say Matthew wrote it first in Hebrew, then later in Greek.

N. B. Peter's remarkable missionary journey. Acts.9v32-43. 10v1-48.

Peter tarries at Joppa many days. Acts9v43. Cornelius and Peter have remarkable visions. God educates a bigoted Peter, and warns him that what He has cleansed is not common or unclean. Peter receives the lesson and states to Cornelius that "God is no respecter of persons and in every nation, those who fear God and work righteousness, are accepted of Him." This was a remarkable victory, for every Jew was taught that the Gentiles were fuel for the flames of Hell, but that the Jews were on a level with the angels of Heaven. On his return to Jerusalem Peter was immediately challenged by the Christian Jews for mixing and eating with Gentiles, which was forbidden by the Jews. But God justified Peter by filling these Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, as Peter said, "Who was I to resist God seeing God gave them the same gift as ourselves." The gift of speaking with tongues silenced the opposition and they accepted that God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Peter's visit to the house of Cornelius was the major turning point in world evangelism for the Church.

* CHART OF THE CHRONOLOGY OF PAUL’S LIFE BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES. *

Events and Authorities	Usher	Wordsworth	Alford	Baronius	De Wette.	Bowyer	Turner
The Ascension of Christ. Acts.1v3-14.	33	30	30	32	--	30	30
Stephen is stoned. Acts.7v51-60.	33	33	37	32	--	32	33
Paul's conversion. Acts.9v1-22.	35	34	37	34	37 or 38	32	34
Paul's FIRST JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM "after many days." Sent to Tarsus, because of a death threat. Acts.9v23-30. Gal.1v18,19.	38	37	40	37	40 or 41	35	37
Paul goes to Antioch. Acts.11v19-26.	43	43	41	41	43 or 44	--	43
Death of James and Herod. Acts.12v2,23.	44	--	44	42	44	44	44
The famine. Acts.11v27-30.	44	44	44	42	--	--	or 48?
Paul's SECOND JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM to bring finances for poor. Acts.11v29,30.	44	44	44	42	44 or 45	46	44
God sends Paul and Barnabus on their FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY. Acts.13 & 14.	45-46	45	45	45-47	--	47-48	45-46
After 3-5 years at Antioch, Paul makes his THIRD JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM over the issue of the Law. Acts.14v28 to 15v35	52	49-50	50	49	50 or 51	49	49 or 50
Paul's SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY with Silas. Acts.15v36-41.	53	51	51	49	51 or 52	49	51
The Emperor Claudius banishes all Jews from Rome. Acts.18v2.	54	--	--	49	Between 52-54	--	Between 49-52
Paul arrives at Corinth, and stays there about 2 years. Acts.18v1,9-11,18.	54	53	53	50	52 or 53	50	52-54
Paul's FOURTH JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM, and after "some time" at Antioch goes on his THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY. Acts.18v20-23.	56	54	54	52 Caes	53 or 54	52	54
Paul at Ephesus. Acts.19v1-20v2. 20v31.	56-59	54-57	55	53-55	54 or 55	52-55	54-57
Paul spends 3 months in Greece, 20v2,3., then makes a FIFTH JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM and is imprisoned. Acts.20v4 to 24v26.	60	58	58	56	58 or 59	56	58
Paul is sent to Rome, after spending two years in prison at Caesarea. Acts.27v1.	62	In Autumn of 60	61	56	60 or 61	Late 58	Autumn of 60
Paul is imprisoned for 2 years in his hired house at Rome. Acts.28v30,31.	63-65	61-63	61-63	61-63	62-64	59-61	Spring 61 to Spring 63

THE FAMINE IN THE REIGN OF CLAUDIUS. Acts.11v28

Claudius reigned from A.D. 41 to 54. Josephus tells us that a famine caused the death of many Jews in Judea while the procurators were, C. Cuspius Fadus, who was procurator from A.D. 44 to 46.; and Tiberius Alexander, who was procurator from A.D. 46 to 48. Antiquities 20. 2. 5; 20.5. 2. This shows that this famine lasted for several years. Josephus records that during this famine, Queen Helena sent her servants to Egypt to buy food and had it distributed to those who were starving, but many Jews had already died of starvation.