TO enter fully into the chronology of this period would require a separate volume, and although there is now an increasing tendency to unanimity on the subject, yet some of the dates can only be regarded as approximate. As few definite chronological indications are furnished in the Acts or the Epistles, we can only frame our system by working backwards and forwards, with the aid of data which are often vague, from the few points where the sacred narrative refers to some distinct event in secular history. These, which furnish us with our pointsderepère, are—
The Death of Herod Agrippa I., A.D. 44.
The Expulsion of the Jews from Rome, A.D. 52.
The Arrival of Festus as Procurator, A.D. 60.
The Neronian Persecution, A.D. 64.
How widely different have been the schemes adopted by different chronologers may be seen from the subjoined table, founded on that given by Meyer.
A wide multi-column table is printed here in the source volume (pages 1337). It does not reflow into a single web column; the readable content of the source table is given elsewhere in this edition.
I subjoin a separate list of the dates of the Epistles adopted in this volume. The reasons are stated inloco, but the reader will understand that the dates in some instances can only be approximate.
DATES OF THE EPISTLES.
EPISTLE. WRITTEN AT A.D.
1 Thessalonians. Corinth. 52.
2 Thessalonians. Corinth. 52.
1 Corinthians. Ephesus. 57.
2 Corinthians. Philippi (?). 58 (early).
Galatians. Corinth. 58.
Romans. Corinth. 58.
Philippians. Rome. 61 or 62.
Colossians } 63.
Rome. Philemon Ephesians. Rome. 63.
1 Timothy. Macedonia (?). 65 or 66.
Titus. Macedonia (?). 66.
2 Timothy. Rome. 67.
The subjoined table will give the probable dates of the chief events in the Apostle’s life, with those of the events in secular history with which they synchronised.
TABLE OF CONTEMPORARY RULERS, ETC.
EMPER PROCURA LEGATE KINGS. HIGH EVESTS
ORS. TORS. S OF PRIESTS IN LIFE
SYRIA.. OF ST.
PAUL.
1 TIBERIU 4 S
(sole
Emper
or).
| Epistle | Written at | A.D. |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians | Corinth | 52 |
| 2 Thessalonians | Corinth | 52 |
| 1 Corinthians | Ephesus | 57 |
| 2 Corinthians | Philippi (?) | 58 (early) |
| Galatians | Corinth | 58 |
| Romans | Corinth | 58 |
| Philippians | Rome | 61 or 62 |
| Colossians | Rome | 63 |
| Philemon | Rome | 63 |
| Ephesians | Rome | 63 |
| 1 Timothy | Macedonia (?) | 65 or 66 |
| Titus | Macedonia (?) | 66 |
| 2 Timothy | Rome | 67 |
| A.D. | Emperors | Procurators | Legates of Syria | Kings | High Priests | Events in the Life of St. Paul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | TIBERIUS (sole Emperor). | |||||
| 25 | Caiaphas. | |||||
| 26 | Pontius Pilatus. | |||||
| 29 | ||||||
| 30 | ||||||
| 31 | ||||||
| 32 | Retires to Capreæ | |||||
| 33 | ||||||
| 34 | A Phoenix said to have been seen in Egypt. | Vitellius. | ||||
| 35 | ||||||
| 36 | ||||||
| 37 | GAIUS (Caligula) (March 16). | Marullus ( ππ). | Jonathan | Martyrdom of Stephen. St. Paul’s Conversion. | ||
| 38 | Theophilus. | |||||
| 39 | Petronius Turpilianus. | Herod Agrippa I. | First Visit to Jerusalem. | |||
| 40 | Orders his statue to be placed in the Temple. Embas | At Tarsus. | ||||
| 41 | CLAUDIUS (Jan. 24). | Simon Kanthera. | At Antioch. | |||
| 42 | Disciples called Christians at Antioch. | Vibius Marsus. | Herod Agrippa I. (dominion extended). | Matthias. | ||
| 43 | Elionæus, son of Kanthera. | |||||
| 44 | Famine (Jos. Antt. 20:5, 2) | Cuspius Fadus | Cassius Longinus. | Death of Herod Agrippa I. | Second Visit to Jerusalem. | |
| 45 | Joseph Ben Kamhit. | First Mission | ||||
| 46 | Tiberius Alexander. | |||||
| 47 | Ananias, son of Nebedæus. | |||||
| 48 | Ventidius Cumanus. | Ummidius Quadratus. | ||||
| 49 | Expulsion of Jew from Rome. | Agrippa II., King of Chalcis. | ||||
| 50 | Caractacus taken to Rome. | |||||
| 51 | Third Visit to Jerusalem, and Synod. At Corinth. | |||||
| 52 | Agrippa II. (Batanæa and Trachonitis). | Ishmael Ben Phabi. | 1, 2 Thess. | |||
| 53 | Claudius Felix | Fourth Visit to Jerusalem. | ||||
| 54 | NERO (Oct. 13) | |||||
| 55 | ||||||
| 56 | Birth of Trajan. | |||||
| 57 | Trial of Pomponia Græcina (as a Christian?). | Paul at Eph. 1 Cor. | ||||
| 58 | Second Ep. to Corinthians. Epistle to Galatians. | |||||
| 59 | Murder of Agrippina. | |||||
| 60 | Porcius Festus | Corbulo | ||||
| 61 | Revolt of Boadicea. | Joseph Cabi | At Rome. | |||
| 62 | Deaths of Burrus, Octavia, and Pallas. Nero marries Poppæa. | Albinus | Ananus | Epistle to Philippians | ||
| 63 | Power of Tigellinus. | Jesus, son of Damnæus. | Ep. to Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesus. Paul liberate d. | |||
| 64 | Great Fire of Rome. Persecution of Christians. | |||||
| 65 | Death of Seneca. | Gessius Florus | First Epistle to Timothy. Ep. to Titus. | |||
| 66 | Beginnings of Jewish War. Nero in Greece. | |||||
| 67 | Siege of Jotapata | Second Epistle to Timothy. | ||||
| 68 | Suicide of Nero (June). GALBA. | Vespasian takes Jericho. | Martyrdom. |