NTChrono5

Chronology of the New Testament

Lesson #5

DATE

ROME

JUDEA

NEW TESTAMENT

46
47

CIaudius proves to be a capable organizer and ruler in spite of personal failings..

While Claudius is temporarily absent from Rome, Messalina is publicly "married" to her favorite suitor, Silius. Narcissus betrays her, sending word to CIaudius about a plot to kill him and make Silius emperor. CIaudius has Silius and all the lovers of Messelina put to death, and Narcissus dispatches soldiers to kill Messalina.
Claudius, now 57, soon marries his 32 year old niece Agrippina. She is also evil and treacherous, quickly maneuvering things to increase her power. CIaudius is persuaded by her to adopt her son, Nero, as his own, and in 53 persuades Claudius to give his thirteen year old daughter, Octavia, to Nero in marriage. A close friend, Burrus, is appointed as Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Agrippina has Lollia Paulina, widow of Caligula, put to death because in a passing moment Claudius compliments Lollia's figure.

Claudius expels all Jews from Rome because of disorders that have arisen over the Messiah. See Acts 18:1-2. Aquila and Priscilla are among those who leave Rome and come to Corinth where Paul first meets them.

CIaudius appoints Alexander to replace Fadus as Procurator of Judea. He is an Alexandrian Jew, nephew of the philosopher, Philo of Alexandria. The Jews consider Alexander to be an unscrupulous apostate. He crucifies two Zealot leaders who are sons of Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37), the pioneer of the Zealot movement. Alexander later becomes Roman prefect of Egypt. He is followed in 48 by Cumanus, who at times deals brutally with the Jews; he is at times quite negligent. Such negligence allows a civil war to break out between Zealot led Jews and the Samaritans. Cumanus is finally banished by Claudius. Fadus served 2 years as Procurator, Alexander 2 years, and Cumanus will stay 4 years, and was replaced by Felix in 52.

Herod Agrippa II, the last of the House of Herod the Great, son of Herod Agnippa I, had been raised in the Roman court under Claudius. He is given former Herodian territory, beginning with Chalchis in the Lebanons. He is later made ruler of the temple. Ten years later, Paul appears before him, Acts 26.

Antonius Felix becomes Pro- curator. He is not an equestrian, but a freedman of Antonia, the mother of Claudius, from whom he gets his forename. His brother is Pellas, Minister of the treasury. His wife is a Roman princess, descended from Antony and Cleopatra.

Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch in Syria, Acts 14:26-28. This first journey occupies some three years, probably staying a year or longer in some places. The Bible passes over such periods with simply "they abode a long time"or "some days." Conflict with Judaizing teachers from Jerusalem, Acts 15. The conference in Jerusalem occurs at some point in the period 49-50. The conference, according to Galatians 1:18, 2:1-t0, came seventeen years after Paul's conversion. Also, the time required for Paul's second journey (3 years), the third journey (5 years), and the two years imprisonment up to the end of Felix governorship in 60A.D., making ten years, would require late 49 or early 50 at the latest. The first inspired epistle is written at Jerusalem and sent to the various churches.

Paul's second journey begins. He and Barnabas deliver the letter from Jerusalem, Acts 15:25- 35. After an argument, Paul takes Silas and leaves to revisit the churches in Galatia They then go from Troas to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. He stays as little as a month in places to a year and a half at Corinth. I and II Thessalonians are written a few months apart at Corinth. He then returns by way of Ephesus, Caesarea and Jerusalem to Antioch.

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