A Basic New Testament Chronology
Dr. Chris Forbes
Macquarie University
Date
Roman Emperor
Documents
World Events
New Testament Events
37 B.C.   Josephus Herod declared King of Judea.  
31 B.C. Augustus   Battle of Actium  
5-6 B.C.?   Matthew, Luke   Birth of Jesus
4 B.C.   Josephus Death of King Herod  
6 A.D.   Josephus Archelaus deposed: Judea becomes a Roman province Annas becomes High Priest
14 A.D. Tiberius Tacitus, Suetonius Death of Augustus  
18 A.D.   Josephus   Caiaphas becomes High Priest
26 A.D.   Tacitus, Josephus, 

Philo

Pilate becomes Prefect (Governor) in Judea  
28 A.D.   Luke 2   John the Baptist and Jesus
28-30 / 33 A.D.   Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Josephus   Public career of Jesus
30 / 33 A.D.       Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
36 A.D.   Josephus Pilate returns to Rome: Marcellus Prefect  
37 A.D. Gaius Caligula Tacitus, Suetonius Marullus Prefect  
35 – 40 A.D (?)   Acts 7-9   The “Hellenists” in Jerusalem and along the coast north. Conversion of Paul
41 A.D. Claudius Josephus, Acts 11, 12.1ff. Herod Agrippa King of Judea Early “Gentile Mission” in Antioch. James son of Zebedee killed, Peter gaoled. 
44 A.D.   Acts 12.20, Josephus, AJ 19.43 Death of Herod, March or August Paul’s First Missionary Journey
?49 A.D.    Acts 15 

1 Thess.,

Galatians?

  Apostolic Council in Jerusalem 

2nd Missionary Journey

c. 51 A.D.   “Gallio Inscription”

Acts 18.12ff

Gallio Proconsul in Corinth Paul in Corinth
54 A.D. Nero 1Corinthians ?    
55 A.D.   2Corinthians? Romans?    
58-9 A.D.   Acts 23-24   Paul in Caesarea
62 A.D.   Josephus, AJ 20.200 

Acts 28.

  James executed. Paul arrives in Rome.
63 A.D.   Philippians?

Acts?

  Paul in Rome: released? To Spain? 
64 A.D.   Tacitus, Annals 15.44 

Suetonius, Life of Nero ???

Great Fire in Rome Christians persecuted in Rome by Nero: Peter, Paul executed
66 A.D.     Outbreak of the Jewish Revolt.  
68 A.D.   Tacitus, Suetonius Death of Nero: Civil War.  
68-9 A.D. The “Year of the Four Emperors” Revelation?

Mark?

  Jerusalem church flees to Pella
70 A.D. Vespasian Suetonius 

Josephus 

Eusebius

Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus  
70s A.D.   Mark? Matthew & Luke? Acts? Rabbinic academy founded at Jamnia / Yavneh by Yochanan ben Zakkai  
79 A.D. Titus Suetonius    
81 A.D. Domitian Suetonius 

Revelation?

  Persecution under Domitian?
96 A.D. Nerva