Chronology of Paul’s Life

A.D.

3 - Birth of Paul at Tarsus in Cilicia
16 to 26 - Paul studies under Gamaliel in Jerusalem
26 - Paul returns to Tarsus
27 to 30 - Ministry of Jesus, death, resurrection and ascension
30 to 35 - Expansion of the Church; Day of Pentecost; initial persecutions
35 - Paul arrives in Jerusalem; martyrdom of Stephen
35 to 36 - Saul persecutes the Church
36 - Saul is converted; becomes Paul the apostle
36 to 38 - Paul travels from Damascus to Arabia for a 3-year sabbatical
38 - Paul flees from Damascus to Jerusalem; from there to Tarsus
38 to 43 - Paul is in Tarsus
44 - Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch; ministry to Gentiles converts
45 - Paul and Barnabas carry relief funds to the Jerusalem saints
46 to 47 - Paul at Antioch

48 to 49

Paul and Barnabas visit Cyprus, Perga, Antioch (Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, Derbe – then return to Antioch (Syria); Paul writes Galatians

50 - Paul and Barnabas attend Jerusalem Council; formal reconciliation of Jewish and Gentile converts

51 to 54

Starting from Antioch, Paul visits Cilicia, Galatia, and Troas in Asia Minor. Moving into Europe, he visits Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens and Corinth. In Corinth he writes First and Second Thessalonians. After leaving Corinth, he goes to Jerusalem and on to Antioch.

54 to 58

Paul leaves Antioch and travels to Ephesus where he stays for three years. There he writes First Corinthians and later departs for Macedonia. In Macedonia he writes Second Corinthians, then travels to Corinth and writes Romans. After leaving Corinth, he goes to Philippi and Miletus, then on to Jerusalem where he is arrested and sent to Caesarea.

58 to 59 - Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea. He is brought before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. He finally appeals to Caesar.
60 - Festus sends Paul to Rome and is en route shipwrecked at Malta
61 to 63 - Paul arrives in Rome and is imprisoned, during which time he writes Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians.

63 - Paul is released from his Roman imprisonment
63 to 65 - Paul travels to Macedonia, Asia Minor, Crete, and possibly Spain. He writes First Timothy and Titus.
65 - Paul is arrested, probably at Nicopolis. He is imprisoned in Rome where he writes Second Timothy.
66 to 67 - Paul is beheaded under the persecutions of Nero

The above dates are essentially those of Conybeare & Howson. Because a perfectly accurate timeline is impossible, all dates are circa.