New Testament

 •  5 min. read  •  grade level: 10
Listen from:
For the general contents of the New Testament see BIBLE. See also COVENANT. The chronology of the principal events recorded in the New Testament is given in the following tables, with approximate dates. The dates of the Epistles of Peter, James, John and Jude are according to the AV. For the date of the crucifixion see SEVENTY WEEKS: other dates are reckoned from that.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Date Event
B.C.
27 Augustus emperor of Rome.
6 Census in Judaea. Birth of John the Baptist.
5 Birth of Jesus. (Four full years before A.D.) Presentation in the temple.
4 Visit of the magi. Flight into Egypt. Massacre of infants. Death of Herod Archelaus made ethnarch of Judaea, Samaria and Idumaea. Herod Antipas tetrarch of Peraea and Galilee Philip tetrarch of Ituraea, Trachonitis, etc.
A.D.
6 Quirinus (Cyrenius) governor of Syria the second time. Archelaus banished, and Judaea made a province of Syria.
7 Enrollment, or taxation, under Cyrenius. Annas made high priest.
8 Jesus at Jerusalem (Luke 2:42-46).
14 Tiberius emperor of Rome: reigns alone.
17 Caiaphas made high priest.
26 Pontius Pilate procurator of Judaea. John commences his ministry. See Tiberius. (Mark 1:1-11). Baptism of Jesus. The Temptation. Miracle of the water made wine at Cana (John 2:1-11). Jesus visits Capernaum. The first Passover. Jesus cleanses the temple (John 2:13-22). John cast into prison. Jesus preaches in Galilee (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus at the synagogue at Nazareth: cast out of the city (Luke 4:16-30). Jesus visits the towns of Galilee (Luke 1:38-39).
27 Jesus visits Jerusalem—probably the second Passover (John 5:1). The twelve Apostles chosen (Mark 3:13-19). Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7; Luke 6:17-49). Miracles in the land of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1-20). The Jews offended at Jesus at Nazareth (Mark 6:1-5). Jesus again visits the villages around (Mark 6:6). Jesus sends forth the twelve (Mark 6:7-13). Death of John the Baptist (Mark 6:17-29). Feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:35-44). Miracles in Gennesaret (Mark 6:53-56).
28 Approach of the third Passover (John 6:4). Feeding of the four thousand (Mark 8:1-9). The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-10). Feast of Tabernacles (John 7). Journey towards Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). The seventy disciples sent out (Luke 10:1-16). Feast of Dedication—winter (John 10:22-39). Jesus goes away beyond Jordan (John 10:40-42). The raising of Lazarus at Bethany (John 11:1-44). Jesus retires to Ephraim (John 11:54).
29 Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Cleanses the temple (Mark 11:1-18). The Greeks visit Jesus. Voice from heaven (John 12:20-36). The last (fourth) Passover. The Lord’s supper (Mark 14:1-2). The crucifixion. Ascension. Pentecost.
30-34 The events from Pentecost to Stephen (Acts 3:7).
35 Martyrdom of Stephen. Saul “a young man” (Acts 7:58-60). Great persecution, disciples scattered except the apostles (Acts 8:1-4).
36 Conversion of Saul—three years before his flight from Damascus (Acts 9:26-28; Gal. 1:18).
37 Caius (Caligula) emperor of Rome; reigns 4 years. Herod Agrippa succeeds Herod Antipas. Caiaphas deposed, and Jonathan made high priest.
38 Paul at Damascus and in Arabia (Gal. 1:15-18).
39 Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem; sent to Tarsus (Gal. 1:18; Acts 9:26-30).
40 Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10).
41 Claudius emperor of Rome; reigns 13 years. Judaea and Samaria united, under Herod Agrippa as king. Herod (brother of Agrippa) king of Chalcis. Gospel preached to the Gentiles at Antioch (Acts 11:20). Barnabas goes to Antioch; fetches Paul (Acts 11:26).
42-43 They remain a year at Antioch. Herod Agrippa’s persecution. James beheaded (Acts 13:2). Peter’s imprisonment and release (Acts 13:3-19).
44 Death of Herod Agrippa. Palestine again a Roman province (Acts 13:23). Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem, with the collection (Acts 11:30).
45 Paul returns to Antioch (Acts 12:25).
46-48 First journey of Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13-14).
48 Ananias nominated high priest by Herod, king of Chalcis.
49-50 Paul, after return, remains a long time at Antioch (Acts 14:28). Dispute concerning circumcision, council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1).
50 Paul’s third visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas—fourteen years from his conversion (Gal. 2:1; Acts 15:2). Paul returns and stays at Antioch (Acts 15:35).
51 Second journey of Paul with Silas and Timothy through Asia Minor to Macedonia and Greece (Acts 16-17). Felix made procurator.
52 Paul spends a year and a half at Corinth (Acts 18:11). First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians written. The Jews banished from Rome.
53 Paul leaves Corinth, and sails to Ephesus.
54 Nero emperor of Rome; reigns 14 years. Paul’s fourth visit to Jerusalem. Returns to Antioch (Acts 18:22). Paul’s third journey through Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:23).
55-56 Paul at Ephesus two years and three months (Acts 19:8,10). Epistle to the Galatians written. First Epistle to the Corinthians written. Tumult at Ephesus (Acts 19:23). Paul goes to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13; Acts 20:1).
57 Second Epistle to the Corinthians written. Paul goes to Corinth, and stays three months (Acts 20:2).
58 Epistle to the Romans written. Paul leaves Corinth, and goes through Macedonia with Luke. Sails from Philippi; preaches at Troas (Acts 20:6-7). Paul addresses the elders of Ephesus at Miletus (Acts 20:17). Farewell at Tyre and at Caesarea (Acts 21:4,8). Paul’s fifth visit to Jerusalem just before Pentecost (Acts 21:17). Paul seized by Asiatic Jews in the temple (Acts 21:27). Sent by Lysias to Felix, at Caesarea (Acts 23:23).
59-60 Heard by Felix. Paul kept in bonds two years (Acts 24).
60 Felix superseded by Porcius Festus. Paul heard by Festus; he appeals to Caesar (Acts 25:6,11). Paul heard by Agrippa and Festus (Acts 25:23). Sent off by sea to Rome—autumn (Acts 27:1). Paul shipwrecked at Malta, where he winters (Acts 28). Arrives at Rome. Heard by the Jews (Acts 28:16-17). (About) Epistle of James written. (About) First Epistle of Peter written.
61-62 Paul dwells two years in his own hired house, during which he writes the Epistles to the Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. “Paul the aged” (Philemon 9). (Acts 28:30).
63 Paul is liberated, and takes another journey. Epistle to the Hebrews is written. Paul visits Crete, and leaves Titus there (Titus 1:5). Paul arrested, and sent to Rome. Second Epistle of Peter written. (About) Epistle of Jude written.
67 Paul put to death.
68 Death of Nero, by suicide.
69 Vespasian emperor of Rome.
70 The Christians of Jerusalem retire to Pella, beyond the Jordan. Jerusalem destroyed by Titus, son of Vespasian.
79 Titus emperor of Rome.
After 90 The Three Epistles of John written. The Revelation written.