Timeline of Paul’s life and letters

All 67 chronology entries

1. 1c. AD 5-10?

   Saul born in Tarsus — a Jew of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews, Roman citizen by birth.

   Place

   Tarsus

   References

   Acts 21:39; 22:3,25-29; Phil 3:5

   Confidence

   medium-high

2. 2c. AD 20s-30s

   Raised at the feet of Gamaliel; a strict Pharisee, zealous for the Law.

   Place

   Jerusalem

   References

   Acts 22:3; 26:4-5; Gal 1:13-14; Phil 3:5-6

   Confidence

   medium-high

3. 3c. AD 33/34

   Appears as Saul at Stephen's execution; approves his death.

   Place

   Jerusalem

   References

   Acts 7:58; 8:1

   Confidence

   high

4. 4c. AD 33/34

   Ravages the church; drags off and imprisons believers.

   Place

   Jerusalem · Judea

   References

   Acts 8:3; 9:1-2; 22:4-5; Gal 1:13; 1 Cor 15:9

   Confidence

   high

5. 5c. AD 33/34

   Encounters the risen Jesus on the road; blinded; called as apostle.

   Place

   The Road to Damascus · Damascus

   References

   Acts 9:1-9; 22:6-11; 26:12-18; Gal 1:15-16

   Confidence

   high

6. 6c. AD 33/34

   Ananias comes; sight restored; baptized; proclaims Jesus as Son of God.

   Place

   Damascus

   References

   Acts 9:10-22; 22:12-16

   Confidence

   high

7. 7c. AD 34-37

   Goes away into Arabia, then returns to Damascus.

   Place

   Arabia (Nabatea) · Damascus

   References

   Gal 1:16-17

   Confidence

   high

8. 8c. AD 34-37

   Preaching; opposition under Aretas; escapes lowered in a basket.

   Place

   Damascus

   References

   Acts 9:23-25; 2 Cor 11:32-33

   Confidence

   high

9. 9c. AD 36/37

   After three years visits Jerusalem; Barnabas vouches; meets Peter and James.

   Place

   Jerusalem

   References

   Acts 9:26-30; Gal 1:18-19

   Confidence

   high

10. 10c. AD 37-45

    Sent to Tarsus; ministers in Syria and Cilicia.

    Place

    Caesarea Maritima · Tarsus · Syria · Cilicia

    References

    Acts 9:30; Gal 1:21-24

    Confidence

    medium-high

11. 11c. AD 42-44?

    Caught up to the third heaven; the thorn in the flesh. Location unstated.

    Place

    Location unstated

    References

    2 Cor 12:1-10

    Confidence

    medium

12. 12c. AD 44-46

    Barnabas brings him to Antioch; a year of teaching; disciples first called Christians.

    Place

    Antioch

    References

    Acts 11:25-26

    Confidence

    high

13. 13c. AD 44-47

    Carries famine relief from Antioch to Judea; the route is shown overland by historical inference.

    Place

    Antioch · Jerusalem · Judea

    References

    Acts 11:27-30; 12:25; cf. Acts 15:3

    Confidence

    medium-high

14. 14c. AD 46-48

    Set apart by the Spirit; to Cyprus; Elymas blinded, Sergius Paulus believes; Saul now Paul.

    Place

    Antioch · Seleucia Pieria · Salamis · Paphos

    References

    Acts 13:1-12

    Confidence

    high

15. 15c. AD 46-48

    John Mark turns back; the great synagogue sermon at Pisidian Antioch; turn to the Gentiles.

    Place

    Perga · Pisidian Antioch

    References

    Acts 13:13-52

    Confidence

    high

16. 16c. AD 46-48

    Many believe at Iconium; a plot to stone them; they flee.

    Place

    Iconium

    References

    Acts 14:1-7

    Confidence

    high

17. 17c. AD 46-48

    Heals a lame man; hailed as Zeus and Hermes; Paul stoned and left for dead, then rises.

    Place

    Lystra

    References

    Acts 14:8-20; 2 Cor 11:25

    Confidence

    high

18. 18c. AD 46-48

    Many disciples at Derbe; return strengthening churches and appointing elders.

    Place

    Derbe · Lystra · Iconium · Pisidian Antioch

    References

    Acts 14:20-23

    Confidence

    high

19. 19c. AD 48

    Returns to Antioch; reports God opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

    Place

    Perga · Attalia · Antioch

    References

    Acts 14:24-28

    Confidence

    high

20. 20c. AD 48/49

    Up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus; gospel set before the leaders; right hand of fellowship.

    Place

    Jerusalem

    References

    Gal 2:1-10; cf. Acts 15

    Confidence

    high

21. 21c. AD 48/49

    Confronts Peter over withdrawing from table fellowship with Gentiles.

    Place

    Antioch

    References

    Gal 2:11-14

    Confidence

    high

22. 22c. AD 48/49

    Likely writes Galatians (early-date / South Galatian view).

    Place

    Antioch

    References

    Galatians 1-6

    Confidence

    medium

23. 23c. AD 49

    The Jerusalem Council: Gentiles need not be circumcised.

    Place

    Antioch · Jerusalem

    References

    Acts 15:1-35

    Confidence

    high

24. 24c. AD 49

    Returns with the council letter; the church rejoices.

    Place

    Antioch

    References

    Acts 15:30-35

    Confidence

    high

25. 25c. AD 49

    Sharp split with Barnabas over John Mark; Paul takes Silas through Syria and Cilicia.

    Place

    Antioch · Syria · Cilicia

    References

    Acts 15:36-41

    Confidence

    high

26. 26c. AD 49-50

    Strengthens churches; Timothy joins; Paul circumcises him for the local context.

    Place

    Syria · Cilicia · Derbe · Lystra

    References

    Acts 16:1-5

    Confidence

    high

27. 27c. AD 50

    Forbidden by the Spirit in Asia; the Macedonian vision at Troas; the "we" sections begin.

    Place

    Phrygia · Galatian region · Mysia · Alexandria Troas

    References

    Acts 16:6-10

    Confidence

    high

28. 28c. AD 50

    Sails Troas→Samothrace→Neapolis, then inland to Philippi: Lydia believes; the slave girl freed; beaten and jailed; the jailer saved; the church founded.

    Place

    Samothrace · Neapolis · Philippi

    References

    Acts 16:11-40; Phil 1:5

    Confidence

    high

29. 29c. AD 50

    Three Sabbaths reasoning in Thessalonica; some believe; Jason dragged before officials.

    Place

    Amphipolis · Apollonia · Thessalonica

    References

    Acts 17:1-9; 1 Thess 1-3

    Confidence

    high

30. 30c. AD 50

    The noble Bereans examine the Scriptures daily; opponents arrive; Paul sent on.

    Place

    Berea

    References

    Acts 17:10-15

    Confidence

    high

31. 31c. AD 50

    The Areopagus address: the unknown God, repentance, resurrection.

    Place

    Athens

    References

    Acts 17:16-34

    Confidence

    high

32. 32c. AD 50-52

    Meets Aquila and Priscilla; reasons in the synagogue; stays eighteen months.

    Place

    Corinth

    References

    Acts 18:1-11; 1 Thess 3:1-6

    Confidence

    high

33. 33c. AD 51/52

    Brought before Gallio, who dismisses the case — the chronological anchor.

    Place

    Corinth

    References

    Acts 18:12-17

    Confidence

    high

34. 34c. AD 52

    Sails from Cenchreae; brief stop at Ephesus; up to greet the church, then down to Antioch.

    Place

    Cenchreae · Ephesus · Caesarea Maritima · Jerusalem · Antioch

    References

    Acts 18:18-22

    Confidence

    high

35. 35c. AD 52/53

    Third journey begins; strengthens disciples through Galatia and Phrygia.

    Place

    Antioch · Galatian region · Phrygia

    References

    Acts 18:23

    Confidence

    high

36. 36c. AD 52/53-55/56

    Two years in the hall of Tyrannus; the word spreads through Asia; magic books burned.

    Place

    Ephesus

    References

    Acts 19:1-20; 20:31

    Confidence

    high

37. 37c. AD 54/55

    Writes 1 Corinthians (Apollos evidently back at Ephesus with Paul, 1 Cor 16:12), answering the Corinthian divisions — Paul/Apollos/Cephas — that "I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase".

    Place

    Ephesus

    References

    1 Cor 1:11-12; 3:6; 16:8-12

    Confidence

    high

38. 38c. AD 55/56

    A painful visit and a severe letter (now lost) to Corinth.

    Place

    Ephesus · Corinth

    References

    2 Cor 2:1-4; 7:8-12

    Confidence

    medium

39. 39c. AD 55/56

    The silversmiths riot over Artemis; Paul leaves for Macedonia.

    Place

    Ephesus

    References

    Acts 19:21-41; 20:1

    Confidence

    high

40. 40c. AD 55/56

    A door opens at Troas; on to Macedonia; Titus brings good news; writes 2 Corinthians — defending his ministry against the intruding rivals he brands "false apostles" and ironically calls the "super-apostles", and glorying in weakness.

    Place

    Alexandria Troas · Macedonia

    References

    Acts 20:1-2; 2 Cor 2:12-13; 7:5-7; 11:5, 13; 12:7-11

    Confidence

    high

41. 41c. AD 55/56

    Encourages Macedonia; organizes the collection; ministry as far as Illyricum.

    Place

    Macedonia · Illyricum

    References

    Acts 20:1-2; Rom 15:19; 2 Cor 8-9

    Confidence

    medium-high

42. 42c. AD 56/57

    Three months in Greece; writes Romans; a plot changes his route home.

    Place

    Corinth · Cenchreae

    References

    Acts 20:2-3; Rom 15:22-29; 16:1-2

    Confidence

    high

43. 43c. AD 57

    Sails from Philippi; at Troas, Eutychus falls and is restored.

    Place

    Philippi · Alexandria Troas

    References

    Acts 20:5-12

    Confidence

    high

44. 44c. AD 57

    Down the coast, hurrying past Ephesus to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost.

    Place

    Assos · Mitylene · Chios · Samos · Miletus

    References

    Acts 20:13-16

    Confidence

    high

45. 45c. AD 57

    The farewell to the Ephesian elders: they will not see his face again.

    Place

    Miletus

    References

    Acts 20:17-38

    Confidence

    high

46. 46c. AD 57

    Toward Jerusalem; at Tyre, disciples warn him through the Spirit.

    Place

    Cos · Rhodes · Patara · Tyre

    References

    Acts 21:1-6

    Confidence

    high

47. 47c. AD 57

    Stays with Philip; Agabus binds himself with Paul’s belt; Paul is ready to die.

    Place

    Ptolemais · Caesarea Maritima

    References

    Acts 21:7-14

    Confidence

    high

48. 48c. AD 57

    Arrives with the collection; purification rites; accused of defiling the temple; seized.

    Place

    Jerusalem

    References

    Acts 21:15-36; Rom 15:25-28

    Confidence

    high

49. 49c. AD 57

    Addresses the crowd in Hebrew; the riot when he names the Gentiles; claims citizenship.

    Place

    Jerusalem

    References

    Acts 21:37-22:29

    Confidence

    high

50. 50c. AD 57

    Before the Sanhedrin; the Lord stands by him: he must testify in Rome.

    Place

    Jerusalem

    References

    Acts 22:30-23:11

    Confidence

    high

51. 51c. AD 57

    A plot of forty; his nephew warns; armed escort transfers him to Felix at Caesarea.

    Place

    Jerusalem · Caesarea Maritima

    References

    Acts 23:12-35

    Confidence

    high

52. 52c. AD 57-59

    Two years imprisoned under Felix; speaks of righteousness, self-control, judgment.

    Place

    Caesarea Maritima

    References

    Acts 24

    Confidence

    high

53. 53c. AD 59

    Festus succeeds Felix; Paul appeals to Caesar.

    Place

    Caesarea Maritima

    References

    Acts 25:1-12

    Confidence

    high

54. 54c. AD 59

    Defends himself before Agrippa II and Bernice.

    Place

    Caesarea Maritima

    References

    Acts 25:13-26:32

    Confidence

    high

55. 55c. AD 59/60

    Sent to Rome under Julius; warns against sailing on from Fair Havens.

    Place

    Caesarea Maritima · Sidon · Myra · Cnidus · Fair Havens

    References

    Acts 27:1-12

    Confidence

    high

56. 56c. AD 59/60

    The storm and shipwreck; all 276 survive; the snakebite; healings on Malta.

    Place

    Malta

    References

    Acts 27:13-28:10

    Confidence

    high

57. 57c. AD 60

    From Malta to Italy and up the Appian Way to Rome; the brothers meet him.

    Place

    Malta · Syracuse · Rhegium · Puteoli · Forum Appii · Three Taverns · Rome

    References

    Acts 28:11-15

    Confidence

    high

58. 58c. AD 60-62

    Two years under house arrest, preaching the kingdom boldly and unhindered.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    Acts 28:16-31

    Confidence

    high

59. 59c. AD 60-62

    Sends Onesimus back to Philemon; writes Philemon and Colossians.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    Col 4:7-18; Philemon 10-24

    Confidence

    medium-high

60. 60c. AD 60-62

    Writes Ephesians on union with Christ and Jew-Gentile unity.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    Eph 1-6; 3:1; 6:20-21

    Confidence

    medium-high

61. 61c. AD 60-62

    Writes Philippians: imprisonment advances the gospel; the Christ hymn.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    Phil 1:12-26; 2:5-30; 4:10-20

    Confidence

    medium

62. 62c. AD 62-64

    After Acts: released; leaves Timothy at Ephesus, Titus in Crete; plans to winter at Nicopolis.

    Place

    Macedonia · Ephesus · Crete · Nicopolis

    References

    1 Tim 1:3; Titus 1:5; 3:12

    Confidence

    medium

63. 63c. AD 62-64

    Instructs Timothy on false teachers, worship, elders, and guarding the deposit.

    Place

    Ephesus

    References

    1 Timothy 1-6

    Confidence

    medium

64. 64c. AD 62-64

    Instructs Titus to appoint elders and set the Cretan churches in order.

    Place

    Crete

    References

    Titus 1-3

    Confidence

    medium

65. 65c. AD 64-67

    Final imprisonment, chained like a criminal; many in Asia have turned away.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    2 Tim 1:8,15-17; 2:9; 4:6-18

    Confidence

    medium-high

66. 66c. AD 64-67

    Asks Timothy to come; has fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    2 Tim 4:6-21

    Confidence

    high

67. 67c. AD 64-67

    Traditional martyrdom under Nero; not narrated in the Bible.

    Place

    Rome

    References

    Later church tradition

    Confidence

    debated