The New Testament in its Times

 

1.   Augustus (ruled 31BC-14AD)

 

2.   Herod the Great (cf. Matt 2:1-19)

·       killed lots of people he saw as rivals—no record of wise men or children in Bethlehem

·       died in 4BC

 

3.   Archelaus (cf. Matt 2:22)

·       Upon his death, Judas the Galilean leads a revolt (Ant. 18.1.1; cf. Acts 5:37)

 

4.   Josephus, Tacitus, and various inscriptions say Cyrenius became governor in AD6 (cf. Luke 2:1-2).  No mention of a worldwide census or return to ancestral homes.

 

5.   Tiberius, the second emperor (ruled AD14-37)

·       Jews kicked out of Rome in AD19

 

6.   Pontius Pilate, prefect, 26-36AD

 

7.   Josephus’ mentions John the Baptist (Ant. 18.5.2; cf. Matt 14:1-12)

·       called Israel to virtue

·       baptized for the remission of sins

·       Herod (Antipas) feared rebellion, arrested John, had him put to death.

 

 

8.   Josephus mentions Jesus (Ant. 18.3.3)

·       places timing under Pilate

·       “doer of wonderful works”

·       teacher

 

9.   Paul becomes a Christian (ca. AD33)

 

10.         Caligula (ruled 37-41AD)

·       riots in Alexandria by Egyptians over Herod Agrippa I (38AD)

·       Philo sent as delegate to Rome by Jews of Alexandria

·       Caligula tries to set up his statue in the temple (AD40)

·       assassinated in AD41

 

11.         Claudius (ruled 41-54)

·       Denies Alexandrian Jews citizenship

·       Appoints Herod Agrippa I client king (AD41-44)

·       Herod Agrippa I puts James to death—ca. AD43

·       Death of Herod Agrippa I (Ant. 19.8.2; cf. Acts 12:19-23—AD44)

·       famine foretold by Agabus (Ant. 20.2.5; cf. Acts 11:27-30)—AD46?

·       Theudas (AD45-46; Ant. 20.5.1-4; cf. Acts 5:33-39)

·       expelled Jews from Rome because of riots over “Chrestus” (AD49; Suetonius, Claudius 25; cf. Acts 18:2; Heb 10:32-34)

 

12.         Paul writes first book of New Testament: 1 Thessalonians (ca. AD51).  He is in Corinth during the proconculship of Gallio (AD51-52).

 

13.         Paul comes to Ephesus in around AD53.  He writes at least three letters to Corinth, makes an unrecorded visit there, writes Galatians?.

 

14.         Nero begins his rule in AD54 (54-67)

 

15.         In AD55 Paul leaves Ephesus on a trip that will eventually lead him to Jerusalem.  He writes 2 Corinthians and Romans.

 

16.         Felix, procurator of Judea (52-60AD)

·       An Egyptian tries to lead a revolution (Ant. 20.8.6; cf. Acts 21:38).

·       Paul spends nearly two years imprisoned in Jerusalem while Felix is procurator (Acts 24)

 

17.         Festus, procurator (60-62)

·       Paul appeals to Caesar, is shipped to Rome

·       In the short time between when Festus died and the new procurator arrived, the high priest, Annas II, kills James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church (Ant. 20.9.1)

 

18.         Paul spends at least two years in Rome under house arrest (60-62ish?). Traditionally writes prison epistles at this time.

 

19.         First extensive persecution of Christians under Nero in AD64 (Is this Heb 10:32-34?).

 

20.         Paul’s fourth missionary journey? (pastoral epistles?)

 

21.         At some point Nero beheads Paul and crucifies Peter (upside down?).  Some would say in the persecution of 64; others would say rather late, even 67.  The late date better allows for 1 Peter.

 

22.         AD66—the Jewish War commences.

 

23.         AD68—Nero commits suicide (Rev 17:9-11; 13:3, 18; cf. the legend of Nero’s return, Sib Or 5)

 

24.         AD69—The year of 4 emperors

 

25.         Vespasian (ruled AD69-79)

·       Revelation: “one is now”?

 

26.         AD66-73—The Jewish War

·       Luke 21:20-24

·       The Gospel of Mark written? (Mark 13:14)

·       For those so inclined, this might be the period of the birth of pseudonymity

·       AD73, Masada falls.

 

27.         The Gospel of Matthew written in Antioch?

 

28.         Titus (ruled AD79-81)

·       Traditional founding of rabbinic Judaism at Jamnia (Javneh) around 80AD by Yohanan ben Zakkai

·       18 Benedictions reaching their final form?

 

29.         Domitian (ruled AD81-96)

·       Luke-Acts written?

·       Hebrews written? (Heb 12:4-13)

·       Traditional dating for John and Revelation

·       Insisted on being called “Lord and God”—confer Rev 13:11-17 and the emperor cult.

 

30.         Apocalyptic and Christian writings at the end of the 1st century

·       1 Clement (from Clement, bishop of Rome to Corinth)

·       4 Ezra

·       2 Baruch

 

31.         Second Century Christian writings:

·       Ignatius (110)

·       2 Clement (150)

·       Shepherd of Hermas (150)

·       Epistle of Barnabas

·       Didache

·       Epistle of Diognetus

·       Justin Martyr (150)

·       Tatian’s Diatesseron (160)

·       Irenaeus (180)

 

32.         Tannaitic Literature (200’s)

 

33.         ca. 200AD Rabbi Judah collects the Mishnah

 

34.         Palestinian Talmud (400s);Babylonian Talmud (500s)