Chronology of Paul

by Krisan Marotta | Jun 30, 2017 | 02 Library, Background & History, Charts NT

Chronology of Paul

The Apostle Paul was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus (Acts 22:3) as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28). He was educated strictly according to Jewish law (Acts 22:3). Before his conversion to Christianity, he was a pious and loyal Pharisee who persecuted Christians (Acts 22:4; Acts 8.3). Paul was converted while traveling on the the road to Damascus when he met the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-20).

NOTE: Dates are approximate. The sequence is more important.

Download a free PDF of Chronology of Paul as a chart

5 AD

Acts 22:3; Acts 22:28; Phil 3:4-6
Born a Jew in the City of Tarsus as a Roman citizen
Studied at the school of Gamaliel in Jerusalem; a Pharisee.
Roman Emperor: Augustus 27 BC- 14 AD

29 AD

Acts 7:58
Present at Stephen’s stoning.

29-32 AD

Acts 8:1-3
Persecutor of the Christian church.

32 AD

Acts 9:1-19; Acts 22:3-21; Acts 27:12-18;
Paul converted on the road to Damascus.
Roman Emperor: Tiberius (14-37 AD)

32-35 AD

Gal 1:15-17; Acts 9:20-25; 2Cor 11:32-33
Travels to Arabia and remains there;
Returns to Damascus.

35 AD

Acts 9:26-30; Gal 1:18
1st visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas,
interacts briefly with Peter & James;
Returns to Tarsus via Caesarea.
Roman Emperor: Caligula (37-41 AD)

44 AD

Acts 11:19-26
Barnabas brings Paul to Antioch
Roman Emperor: Claudius (41-54 AD)
Famine in Rome (42 AD)

46 AD

Acts 11:27-30
2nd visit to Jerusalem
Barnabas & Paul take famine relief to Jerusalem (14 years after conversion)

46-48 AD

Acts 13-14
First Journey (Map)
Travels with Barnabas and John Mark;
Returns to Antioch.

49 AD

Acts 15:1-35
Jerusalem council
Writes: Galatians (49 AD after journey, before council)
Claudius expels Jews from Rome (49 AD)

49-52 AD

Acts 15:36 -18:22
Second Journey (Map)
Travels with Silas and later Timothy
Writes: 1&2Thessalonians (50ish)
Rise of the Zealots (50 AD)

53-57 AD

Acts 18:23 -21:16
Third Journey (Map)
Writes: 1Corinthians (55); 2Corthinians (56); Romans (57)
Roman Emperor: Nero (54-68 AD)

57-59 AD

Acts 21:17 -26:32
Roman arrest in Jerusalem
Taken to Felix at Caesarea

59 AD

Acts 27:1 -28:16
Journey to Rome (Map)

60-62 AD

Acts 28:17-31
1st Roman imprisonment
Writes: Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians

63 AD

Released from prison
Writes: 1Timonthy; Titus

65-66 AD

2nd Roman imprisonment & execution
Writes: 2Timothy
Fire at Rome (64 AD)
Persecution under Nero

Paul’s authority

Paul’s authority rests on his divine calling from Jesus Christ.
Paul received divine revelation from Jesus (Gal 1:12).
Paul received traditional training in and knowledge of the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-5).