Bible Chronology

Jews return to the holy land under Zerubabbel (538 B.C) and Ezra (458 B.C). Ezra begins the office of scribes. Scribes study the scripture and prosecuted whoever broke God's laws. During this time period the synagogue was also created. It became a worship center for Jews.

Alexander "The Great" was in control at this time (334-323 B.C.). Palestine fell in 332 B.C. After Alexander died the kingdom was split into four parts, generals Ptolemy and Seleucus fought over Palestine. Palestine was controlled by the Ptolemies from 320-198 B.C. Scriptures were also translated into Greek during this time and God's word became the Bible.

The Seleucids controlled Palestine from 198-166 B.C. They were nice to the Jews, however, from 175-164 B.C they put the Jews in danger. Eradication of the Jewish religion was being attempted. Antiochus wanted the Jewish religion gone and did so by forbiding circumcision, possession of the Torah, and required offerings to the Roman God Zeus. In 168 B.C. "abomination of desolation" where a pig was sacrificed.

Antiochus created a Jewish revolution (166-142 B.C.) led by the priest Mattathias and his sons (Maccabeans). Judas cleanses the temple and in 165 B.C. was the Feast of Dedication also known as Hanukkah. Hasmoneans (Maccabean descendants) ruled the Jewish people until the Roman period.

Sadducees, who only believed in the Torah, were against the Pharisees, who were part of the synagogue and believed in all the scriptures. Pharisees were the only ones to survive in Jerusalem after the attacks in A.D. 70 and they became the foundation of Judaism.

Two Hasmonean brothers fought over who was to rule. Roman general Pompey settled the fight and then headed for Jerusalem and created a massacre of priests.

In 37 B.C. Herod "The Great" became king of the Roman Empire. He was part Jewish and part Idumean and was not accpeted by some Jews who were strict with their religion. Herod died in 4 B.C. After his death the kingdom broke into four tetrarchies.

Herod Antipas who ruled Galilee and Perea in 4-39 A.D. and it was him who killed John the Baptist. Judea was governed by Pilate 26-36 A.D.

Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in the year 70 A.D. Just as Jesus has predicted.

It is uncertain when Jesus Christ was born exactly, but it is estimated he was born in or around 5 B.C.

James 50 A.D.
First Thessalonians 52-53 A.D.
Second Thessalonians 52-53 A.D.
Galatians 55 A.D.
First Corinthians 57 A.D.
Second Corinthians 57 A.D.
Romans 57-58 A.D.

Philippians 62-63 A.D.
Colossians 62-63 A.D.
Philemon 62-63 A.D.
Ephesians 62-63 A.D.
Luke 63 A.D.
Acts 64 A.D.

First Timothy 65 A.D.
Titus 65 A.D.
Second Timothy 66 A.D.
Mark 66 A.D.
Matthew 67 A.D.
Hebrews 67 A.D.
First Peter 67-68 A.D.
Second Peter 68 A.D.
Jude 68 A.D.
Apocalypse 68 A.D.
John 85 A.D.
Epistles of John 90-95 A.D.