# Bible timeline

The Bible’s story in order, from Abraham to the first church. Zoom in on any stretch of years, then tap an event to read the passage, meet the people and find the place on the map.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/bible-timeline. Dates marked "Debated date" are ones readers and scholars disagree on; each note gives the views. BC dates count down to the birth of Jesus.

## Before the dates: Genesis 1–11

Genesis 1–11 gives no calendar anyone can place on a line of years.

- **No date given: God makes the world.** God makes the heavens and the earth, and makes people in his image. Read [Genesis 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/1).
  - See: [About Genesis](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/about)
- **No date given: The first sin.** Adam and Eve eat from the tree God told them not to eat from, and are sent out of the garden. Read [Genesis 3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/3).
- **No date given: Noah and the flood.** God sends a flood and keeps Noah, his family and the animals safe in the ark. Then he promises never to flood the earth again. Read [Genesis 7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/7).
  - See: [Noah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/noah)
- **No date given: The tower of Babel.** People build a tower to make a name for themselves. God mixes up their language and scatters them. Read [Genesis 11:1-9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/11#1-9).

## Abraham’s family (About 2100–1880 BC)

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. The dates here are the hardest to fix and depend on when the Exodus happened.

- **About 2091 BC: God calls Abraham.** God tells Abram to leave his country for a land he will be shown, and promises that all the families of the earth will be blessed through him. Read [Genesis 12:1-9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/12#1-9).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Abraham](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/abraham), [Sarah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/sarah), [Bethel on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethel), [About Genesis](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/about)
- **About 2080 BC: God’s covenant with Abraham.** God promises Abram children as many as the stars. Abram believes, and God counts it to him as righteousness. Read [Genesis 15:1-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/15#1-6).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Abraham](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/abraham)
- **About 2066 BC: Isaac is born.** Sarah, 90 years old, gives birth to the son God promised. They name him Isaac, “he laughs.” Read [Genesis 21:1-7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/21#1-7).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Sarah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/sarah), [Abraham](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/abraham), [Beersheba on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#beersheba)
- **About 2050 BC: Abraham offers Isaac.** God tests Abraham by asking for his son on a mountain in Moriah, then stops his hand and provides a ram. Read [Genesis 22:1-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/22#1-14).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Abraham](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/abraham)
- **About 2029 BC: Sarah is buried at Hebron.** Sarah dies at 127. Abraham buys a field with a cave near Hebron, the first piece of the promised land his family owns. Read [Genesis 23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/23).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Sarah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/sarah), [Abraham](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/abraham), [Hebron on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#hebron)
- **About 2006 BC: Jacob and Esau are born.** Rebekah has twins. God tells her the older will serve the younger. Read [Genesis 25:19-26](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/25#19-26).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
- **About 1929 BC: Jacob’s dream at Bethel.** Running from Esau, Jacob dreams of a stairway to heaven. God repeats to him the promise he made to Abraham. Read [Genesis 28:10-22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/28#10-22).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Bethel on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethel)
- **About 1909 BC: Jacob is named Israel.** Jacob wrestles through the night and will not let go without a blessing. He is given a new name, Israel. Read [Genesis 32:22-32](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/32#22-32).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
- **About 1898 BC: Joseph is sold into Egypt.** Jealous of their father’s favorite, Joseph’s brothers sell him to traders bound for Egypt. Read [Genesis 37:12-36](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/37#12-36).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Joseph](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph), [Egypt on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#egypt)
- **About 1885 BC: Joseph rules in Egypt.** Joseph explains Pharaoh’s dreams of plenty and famine. Pharaoh puts him in charge of all Egypt. Read [Genesis 41:37-57](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/41#37-57).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Joseph](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph), [Egypt on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#egypt)
- **About 1876 BC: Jacob’s family moves to Egypt.** In the famine, Jacob and 70 of his family go down to Egypt, where Joseph gives them land. Read [Genesis 46:1-7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/genesis/46#1-7).
  - Debated date: Adding up the ages in Genesis and Exodus puts Abraham around 2100–1900 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC, and some doubt any date can be fixed. The years shown follow the Bible’s own count.
  - See: [Joseph](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph), [Beersheba on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#beersheba), [Egypt on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#egypt)

## Egypt and the Exodus (About 1880–1406 BC)

Israel grows in Egypt, is enslaved, and is brought out under Moses to Sinai and the edge of the land.

- **Before Moses is born: Israel is enslaved in Egypt.** A new king who did not know Joseph puts Israel to forced labor. Exodus 12:40 says Israel lived in Egypt 430 years. Read [Exodus 1:8-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/1#8-14).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [About Exodus](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/about)
- **About 1526 BC, or about 1340 BC: Moses is born.** Hidden in a basket on the Nile, the baby is found by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as her son. Read [Exodus 2:1-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/2#1-10).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Egypt on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#egypt)
- **About 1447 BC, or about 1261 BC: The burning bush.** God speaks to Moses from a bush that burns but is not burned up, tells him his name, and sends him to Pharaoh. Read [Exodus 3:1-15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/3#1-15).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Mount Sinai on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-sinai)
- **About 1446 BC, or about 1260 BC: The Exodus from Egypt.** After the Passover, Pharaoh lets Israel go. About 600,000 men, with women and children, leave Egypt in one night. Read [Exodus 12:31-42](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/12#31-42).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Rameses on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#rameses)
- **Same year as the Exodus: Crossing the sea.** God drives the sea back with a strong east wind. Israel crosses on dry ground, and the water returns over Egypt’s army. Read [Exodus 14:21-31](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/14#21-31).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [The crossing of the sea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#sea-crossing)
- **Three months after the Exodus: The Ten Commandments at Sinai.** At Mount Sinai God gives Israel the Ten Commandments and makes a covenant with them as his people. Read [Exodus 20:1-17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/20#1-17).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Mount Sinai on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-sinai)
- **A year after the Exodus: The tabernacle is set up.** Israel builds the tent where God meets them, and the cloud of his glory fills it. Read [Exodus 40:17-38](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/40#17-38).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [About Leviticus](https://www.lumin.faith/read/leviticus/about)
- **Two years after the Exodus: Twelve spies and 40 years.** Ten of the twelve spies say the land cannot be taken. Israel refuses to go in and wanders 40 years in the wilderness. Read [Numbers 14:26-35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/numbers/14#26-35).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Kadesh-barnea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#kadesh-barnea), [About Numbers](https://www.lumin.faith/read/numbers/about)
- **About 1406 BC, or about 1220 BC: Moses dies on Mount Nebo.** Moses sees the promised land from the mountain but does not enter it. He dies there, and God buries him. Read [Deuteronomy 34](https://www.lumin.faith/read/deuteronomy/34).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Mount Nebo on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-nebo), [About Deuteronomy](https://www.lumin.faith/read/deuteronomy/about)

## The land and the judges (About 1406–1050 BC)

Joshua leads Israel into Canaan. Then come the judges, leaders God raises up when Israel cries out.

- **About 1406 BC, or about 1220 BC: Israel crosses the Jordan.** The river stops flowing when the priests carrying the ark step into it, and Israel crosses into Canaan under Joshua. Read [Joshua 3:14-17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/joshua/3#14-17).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Jericho on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jericho), [About Joshua](https://www.lumin.faith/read/joshua/about)
- **Soon after the crossing: The walls of Jericho.** Israel marches around Jericho for seven days. On the seventh, the trumpets sound, the people shout and the wall falls. Read [Joshua 6:15-21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/joshua/6#15-21).
  - Debated date: The date follows the Exodus date. Archaeologists also disagree about what the ruins at Jericho show and when its walls fell.
  - See: [Jericho on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jericho)
- **About 1399 BC: The tabernacle at Shiloh.** Israel sets up the tent of meeting at Shiloh, which stays the center of worship until Samuel’s day. Read [Joshua 18:1-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/joshua/18#1-10).
  - Debated date: 1 Kings 6:1 counts 480 years from the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, which gives about 1446 BC. Many scholars prefer about 1260 BC, reading the 480 years as twelve generations and pointing to the city of Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Christians hold both views. The line shows the earlier date.
  - See: [Shiloh on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#shiloh)
- **About 1375–1050 BC: The judges.** Israel turns from God again and again. Each time they cry out, God raises up a judge to rescue them. Read [Judges 2:16-19](https://www.lumin.faith/read/judges/2#16-19).
  - Debated date: Judges gives the years each judge led, but some may overlap in different parts of the land. When the period began depends on the Exodus date.
  - See: [About Judges](https://www.lumin.faith/read/judges/about)
- **About 1200s BC: Deborah leads Israel.** Deborah, a prophet and judge, sends Barak from Mount Tabor against Sisera’s chariots, and Israel wins. Read [Judges 4:4-16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/judges/4#4-16).
  - See: [Mount Tabor on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-tabor)
- **About 1100s BC: Gideon and the 300.** God cuts Gideon’s army down to 300 so Israel cannot boast. With trumpets and torches they rout Midian. Read [Judges 7:15-22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/judges/7#15-22).
- **About 1100 BC, “when the judges ruled”: Ruth comes to Bethlehem.** Ruth, a widow from Moab, will not leave her mother-in-law Naomi. In Bethlehem she marries Boaz and becomes David’s great-grandmother. Read [Ruth 1:16-22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ruth/1#16-22).
  - See: [Ruth](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/ruth), [Bethlehem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethlehem), [About Ruth](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ruth/about)
- **About 1090 BC: God calls Samuel.** The boy Samuel hears God call his name in the night at Shiloh and answers, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Read [1 Samuel 3:1-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-samuel/3#1-10).
  - See: [Shiloh on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#shiloh), [About 1 Samuel](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-samuel/about)
- **About 1075 BC: Samson’s last day.** Blinded and chained in Gaza, Samson prays for strength once more and pulls down the Philistines’ temple. Read [Judges 16:23-31](https://www.lumin.faith/read/judges/16#23-31).
  - See: [Gaza on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#gaza)

## Saul, David and Solomon (About 1050–930 BC)

Israel asks for a king. David makes Jerusalem the capital and Solomon builds the temple.

- **About 1050 BC: Saul becomes king.** Israel asks for a king like the other nations. Samuel anoints Saul, and the people shout, “Long live the king.” Read [1 Samuel 10:17-25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-samuel/10#17-25).
- **About 1025 BC: David and Goliath.** A shepherd boy with a sling faces the Philistine giant “in the name of the Lord” and brings him down with one stone. Read [1 Samuel 17:41-51](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-samuel/17#41-51).
  - See: [King David](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/david)
- **About 1010 BC: David becomes king.** After Saul’s death, David is anointed king at Hebron, first over Judah, then over all Israel. Read [2 Samuel 5:1-5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-samuel/5#1-5).
  - See: [King David](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/david), [Hebron on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#hebron), [About 2 Samuel](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-samuel/about)
- **About 1003 BC: David takes Jerusalem.** David captures the fortress of Zion and makes Jerusalem his capital, “the city of David.” Read [2 Samuel 5:6-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-samuel/5#6-10).
  - See: [King David](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/david), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **About 1000 BC: God’s promise to David.** God promises that David’s family will reign forever. Christians read this promise as fulfilled in Jesus. Read [2 Samuel 7:8-16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-samuel/7#8-16).
  - See: [King David](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/david), [About Psalms](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/about)
- **About 993 BC: Nathan confronts David.** After David takes Bathsheba and has her husband killed, the prophet Nathan tells him, “You are the man.” David confesses. Read [2 Samuel 12:1-13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-samuel/12#1-13).
  - See: [King David](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/david)
- **About 970 BC: Solomon becomes king.** David names his son Solomon king. Solomon asks God for wisdom to rule well. Read [1 Kings 3:5-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/3#5-14).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About 1 Kings](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/about), [About Proverbs](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/about)
- **Begun about 966 BC: Solomon builds the temple.** In the fourth year of his reign Solomon begins the temple in Jerusalem. It takes seven years to build. Read [1 Kings 6:1-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/6#1-14).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)

## Two kingdoms (930–586 BC)

Israel in the north and Judah in the south, the prophets who warned them, and the fall of both.

- **About 930 BC: The kingdom splits in two.** Ten tribes break away under Jeroboam as Israel in the north. Judah, in the south, keeps Solomon’s son and Jerusalem. Read [1 Kings 12:16-20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/12#16-20).
  - See: [Bethel on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethel)
- **About 860 BC: Elijah on Mount Carmel.** Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal. Their god does not answer. Fire from the Lord falls on Elijah’s soaked altar. Read [1 Kings 18:30-39](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-kings/18#30-39).
  - See: [Elijah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/elijah), [Mount Carmel on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-carmel)
- **About 850 BC: Elijah is taken up.** Near the Jordan, a chariot of fire parts Elijah and Elisha, and Elijah goes up to heaven in a whirlwind. Read [2 Kings 2:9-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/2#9-12).
  - See: [Elijah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/elijah), [Jericho on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jericho), [About 2 Kings](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/about)
- **About 780 BC: Jonah goes to Nineveh.** After running from God by ship from Joppa, Jonah warns Nineveh. The city turns from its evil, and God spares it. Read [Jonah 3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/jonah/3).
  - See: [Joppa on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#joppa), [About Jonah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/jonah/about)
- **About 760–720 BC: Amos and Hosea warn Israel.** Two prophets in the north: Amos calls for justice to roll down like waters, Hosea pictures God as a faithful husband. Read [Amos 5:21-24](https://www.lumin.faith/read/amos/5#21-24).
  - See: [About Amos](https://www.lumin.faith/read/amos/about), [About Hosea](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/about)
- **740 BC, the year King Uzziah died: Isaiah sees the Lord.** In the temple Isaiah sees the Lord on his throne. “Here am I,” he says. “Send me.” Read [Isaiah 6:1-8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/isaiah/6#1-8).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About Isaiah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/isaiah/about), [About Micah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/micah/about)
- **722 BC: Assyria ends the northern kingdom.** Assyria takes Samaria and carries Israel’s people away. Only Judah is left. Read [2 Kings 17:5-18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/17#5-18).
- **701 BC: Jerusalem is spared from Assyria.** King Hezekiah prays as Assyria’s army surrounds Jerusalem. The army leaves without taking the city. Assyria’s own records tell the campaign too. Read [2 Kings 19:32-36](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/19#32-36).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **627 BC: God calls Jeremiah.** God tells a young Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,” and sends him to warn Judah. Read [Jeremiah 1:4-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/jeremiah/1#4-10).
  - See: [About Jeremiah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/jeremiah/about), [About Zephaniah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zephaniah/about)
- **622 BC: Josiah finds the book of the law.** Workers repairing the temple find the book of the law. King Josiah tears his clothes and leads Judah back to God. Read [2 Kings 22:8-13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/22#8-13).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **605 BC: Daniel is taken to Babylon.** Nebuchadnezzar takes young men from Jerusalem’s nobility to Babylon. Among them are Daniel and his three friends. Read [Daniel 1:1-7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/daniel/1#1-7).
  - See: [Daniel](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/daniel), [About Daniel](https://www.lumin.faith/read/daniel/about), [About Habakkuk](https://www.lumin.faith/read/habakkuk/about)
- **586 BC, or 587 BC: Babylon destroys Jerusalem.** Babylon’s army burns the temple, breaks down the walls and takes the people of Judah into exile. Read [2 Kings 25:8-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-kings/25#8-12).
  - Debated date: Historians agree on the summer but not the year: 587 or 586 BC, depending on how the reigns of Judah’s kings are counted.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About Lamentations](https://www.lumin.faith/read/lamentations/about)

## Exile and return (586–430 BC)

Judah in Babylon, then home again under Persia to rebuild the temple and the walls.

- **About 585 BC: Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones.** Among the exiles in Babylon, Ezekiel sees dry bones come to life, a picture of God bringing his people home. Read [Ezekiel 37:1-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezekiel/37#1-14).
  - See: [About Ezekiel](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezekiel/about)
- **About 539 BC: Daniel in the lions’ den.** Daniel keeps praying when it is forbidden. He is thrown to the lions, and God shuts their mouths. Read [Daniel 6:16-23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/daniel/6#16-23).
  - See: [Daniel](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/daniel)
- **538 BC: Cyrus lets the Jews go home.** Cyrus of Persia, who has taken Babylon, lets the Jews return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Read [Ezra 1:1-4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezra/1#1-4).
  - See: [About Ezra](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezra/about)
- **516 BC: The second temple is finished.** Urged on by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the returned exiles finish the temple and celebrate the Passover. Read [Ezra 6:14-18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezra/6#14-18).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About Haggai](https://www.lumin.faith/read/haggai/about), [About Zechariah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/zechariah/about)
- **About 479–474 BC: Esther saves her people.** A Jewish queen of Persia risks her life to go to the king uninvited, and stops a plot to kill her people. Read [Esther 4:12-17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/esther/4#12-17).
  - See: [Esther](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/esther), [About Esther](https://www.lumin.faith/read/esther/about)
- **458 BC: Ezra comes to teach the law.** Ezra, a priest and teacher, leads a second group home and sets his heart to study, keep and teach God’s law. Read [Ezra 7:6-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ezra/7#6-10).
- **445 BC: Nehemiah rebuilds the walls.** Nehemiah, the Persian king’s cupbearer, comes to Jerusalem. The walls are rebuilt in 52 days. Read [Nehemiah 6:15-16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/nehemiah/6#15-16).
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About Nehemiah](https://www.lumin.faith/read/nehemiah/about)
- **About 430 BC: Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet.** Malachi ends the Old Testament promising that God will send a messenger before the day of the Lord. Read [Malachi 4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/malachi/4).
  - See: [About Malachi](https://www.lumin.faith/read/malachi/about)

## Between the Testaments (About 430–6 BC)

About 400 years the Old Testament does not cover. These dates come from other ancient writers.

- **332 BC: Alexander the Great takes the region.** Alexander conquers Persia’s empire, Judea with it. Greek becomes the common language, the language the New Testament is later written in. Source: Greek historians, such as Arrian.
- **From about 250 BC: The Hebrew Bible is put into Greek.** Jews in Egypt translate the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. The New Testament often quotes this Greek version, called the Septuagint. Source: Jewish writers of the time; the Letter of Aristeas tells a later, legendary version.
- **164 BC: The temple is rededicated.** Jewish rebels led by Judas Maccabeus retake Jerusalem and cleanse the temple. Jesus later keeps this feast, Hanukkah, in John 10:22. Read [John 10:22-23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/10#22-23). Source: 1 Maccabees, part of the Catholic and Orthodox Old Testament.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **63 BC: Rome takes Jerusalem.** The Roman general Pompey captures Jerusalem. Judea comes under Rome, as it is in the Gospels. Source: The Jewish historian Josephus.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **37–4 BC: Herod the Great rules Judea.** Rome makes Herod king of the Jews. He rebuilds the temple on a grand scale and is still king when Jesus is born. Read [Matthew 2:1-3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/2#1-3). Source: Josephus.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)

## Jesus (About 6 BC–AD 30)

From the birth in Bethlehem to the cross, the empty tomb and the ascension.

- **About 6–4 BC: Jesus is born in Bethlehem.** Mary gives birth to her son in Bethlehem and lays him in a manger. Angels tell shepherds nearby. Read [Luke 2:1-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/2#1-14).
  - Debated date: Jesus was born before Herod the Great died (Matthew 2:1, 19), which most historians place in 4 BC. That puts the birth about 6–4 BC. The calendar’s year 1 came from a monk’s count in the 500s that missed by a few years.
  - See: [Mary (mother of Jesus)](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus), [Joseph of Nazareth](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph-of-nazareth), [Bethlehem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethlehem), [About Luke](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/about), [About Matthew](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/about)
- **Within two years of the birth: The magi come.** Magi from the east follow a star to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem, and worship the child with gifts. Read [Matthew 2:1-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/2#1-12).
  - Debated date: Jesus was born before Herod the Great died (Matthew 2:1, 19), which most historians place in 4 BC. That puts the birth about 6–4 BC. The calendar’s year 1 came from a monk’s count in the 500s that missed by a few years.
  - See: [Mary (mother of Jesus)](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus), [Bethlehem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethlehem), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **Before Herod dies, about 4 BC: The escape to Egypt.** Warned in a dream, Joseph takes Mary and the child to Egypt until Herod is dead. Read [Matthew 2:13-15](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/2#13-15).
  - Debated date: Jesus was born before Herod the Great died (Matthew 2:1, 19), which most historians place in 4 BC. That puts the birth about 6–4 BC. The calendar’s year 1 came from a monk’s count in the 500s that missed by a few years.
  - See: [Joseph of Nazareth](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph-of-nazareth), [Egypt on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#egypt)
- **About AD 8: Jesus at 12 in the temple.** Mary and Joseph search for three days and find the boy Jesus in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions. Read [Luke 2:41-52](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/2#41-52).
  - See: [Mary (mother of Jesus)](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus), [Joseph of Nazareth](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/joseph-of-nazareth), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **About AD 28: John the Baptist preaches.** In the 15th year of the emperor Tiberius, John calls people in the wilderness to turn back to God and be baptized. Read [Luke 3:1-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/3#1-6).
  - See: [John the Baptist](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/john-the-baptist), [The wilderness of Judea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#wilderness-of-judea)
- **About AD 28: Jesus is baptized.** John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan. The Spirit comes down like a dove, and a voice from heaven says, “This is my beloved Son.” Read [Matthew 3:13-17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/3#13-17).
  - Debated date: Luke says Jesus was about 30 when he began (Luke 3:23), and dates John’s preaching to AD 28 or 29. Some count from earlier. Most place the baptism AD 26–29.
  - See: [John the Baptist](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/john-the-baptist), [The Jordan, where John baptized on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jordan-baptism), [About Mark](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/about)
- **Right after the baptism: Jesus is tempted in the wilderness.** For 40 days in the wilderness Jesus answers each of the devil’s offers with Scripture. Read [Matthew 4:1-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/4#1-11).
  - See: [The wilderness of Judea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#wilderness-of-judea)
- **About AD 28: Water into wine at Cana.** At a wedding, Jesus turns water into wine, the first of his signs in John’s Gospel. Read [John 2:1-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/2#1-11).
  - See: [Mary (mother of Jesus)](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus), [Cana on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#cana), [About John](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/about)
- **About AD 28: Jesus calls fishermen.** By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John: “Follow me.” Read [Mark 1:16-20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1#16-20).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [The Sea of Galilee on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#sea-of-galilee)
- **About AD 28: The Sermon on the Mount.** On a hillside in Galilee Jesus teaches the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer and the golden rule. Read [Matthew 5:1-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/5#1-12).
  - See: [Mount of Beatitudes on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-of-beatitudes)
- **About AD 29: Jesus calms the storm.** Waves swamp the boat while Jesus sleeps. He wakes, rebukes the wind, and the sea goes still. Read [Mark 4:35-41](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/4#35-41).
  - See: [The Sea of Galilee on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#sea-of-galilee)
- **About AD 29, near Passover: Feeding the 5,000.** With five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds a crowd of 5,000 men, and 12 baskets of pieces are left over. Read [John 6:1-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/6#1-14).
  - See: [Bethsaida on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethsaida)
- **About AD 29: “You are the Christ”.** Near Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Read [Matthew 16:13-20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/16#13-20).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Caesarea Philippi on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#caesarea-philippi)
- **A week later: The Transfiguration.** On a high mountain Jesus’ face shines like the sun, and Moses and Elijah talk with him. The Gospels do not name the mountain. Read [Matthew 17:1-8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/17#1-8).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Moses](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/moses), [Elijah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/elijah), [Mount Tabor on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-tabor), [Mount Hermon on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-hermon)
- **Weeks before the cross: Lazarus is raised.** At Bethany Jesus weeps at his friend’s tomb, then calls, “Lazarus, come out.” The dead man walks out. Read [John 11:38-44](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/11#38-44).
  - See: [Bethany on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#bethany)
- **The Sunday before Passover: Jesus enters Jerusalem.** Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey while crowds spread cloaks and branches and shout “Hosanna.” Read [Mark 11:7-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/11#7-11).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **The night before the cross: The Last Supper.** Jesus shares bread and wine with his disciples: “This is my body… This cup is the new covenant in my blood.” Read [Luke 22:14-20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/22#14-20).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [The upper room on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#upper-room)
- **AD 30, or AD 33: Jesus is crucified.** Under Pontius Pilate, Jesus is crucified outside Jerusalem. He dies, and is buried in a borrowed tomb. Read [John 19:16-30](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/19#16-30).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Mary (mother of Jesus)](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus), [Mary Magdalene](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-magdalene), [Golgotha on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#golgotha)
- **The third day: Jesus is raised from the dead.** On the first day of the week the women find the tomb empty. Mary Magdalene is the first to see the risen Jesus. Read [John 20:11-18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/20#11-18).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Mary Magdalene](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-magdalene), [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **The same day: On the road to Emmaus.** Two disciples walk with a stranger who explains the Scriptures. They know him when he breaks the bread. Read [Luke 24:28-35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/24#28-35).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Emmaus on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#emmaus)
- **40 days after Easter: Jesus is taken up to heaven.** After 40 days of appearing to his followers, Jesus is taken up from the Mount of Olives while they watch. Read [Acts 1:6-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/1#6-11).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Mount of Olives on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#mount-of-olives), [About Acts](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/about)

## The first church (AD 30–about 95)

The news about Jesus goes out from Jerusalem to Rome, and the New Testament is written.

- **50 days after Easter: The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost.** The Spirit comes on the disciples in Jerusalem. Peter preaches, and about 3,000 people are baptized that day. Read [Acts 2:1-13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/2#1-13).
  - Debated date: The Gospels say Jesus died at Passover while Pilate governed Judea (AD 26–36). Working out which Passover fell on the right day leaves AD 30 or AD 33. Scholars are split. The line shows AD 30.
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **About AD 33–35: Stephen is stoned.** Stephen, the first follower of Jesus killed for his faith, prays for his killers as he dies. A young man named Saul approves. Read [Acts 7:54-60](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/7#54-60).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **About AD 34: Paul meets Jesus on the Damascus road.** Saul, on his way to arrest believers, is blinded by a light and hears Jesus ask, “Why are you persecuting me?” Read [Acts 9:1-9](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/9#1-9).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Damascus on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#damascus)
- **About AD 40: Peter baptizes Cornelius.** Called from Joppa to a Roman officer’s house in Caesarea, Peter sees the Spirit come on people who are not Jews. Read [Acts 10:34-48](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/10#34-48).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Caesarea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#caesarea), [Joppa on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#joppa)
- **About AD 43: First called Christians.** At Antioch the believers, Jews and Greeks together, are first called Christians. Read [Acts 11:19-26](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/11#19-26).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Antioch on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#antioch)
- **AD 44: James killed, Peter freed.** King Herod Agrippa kills the apostle James and jails Peter. An angel leads Peter out past the guards. Read [Acts 12:1-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/12#1-11).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem)
- **About AD 46–48: Paul’s first journey.** The church at Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus and the towns of Galatia. Read [Acts 13:1-5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/13#1-5).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Antioch on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#antioch), [Paphos on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#paphos), [About Galatians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/about)
- **About AD 49: The council at Jerusalem.** The apostles agree that people who are not Jews do not have to keep the law of Moses to follow Jesus. Read [Acts 15:6-21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/15#6-21).
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About James](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/about)
- **About AD 49–52: Paul’s second journey.** Paul crosses into Europe: Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens and 18 months in Corinth. Read [Acts 16:6-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/16#6-10).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Philippi on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#philippi), [Athens on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#athens), [Corinth on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#corinth)
- **About AD 50: Paul writes 1 Thessalonians.** Writing from Corinth, Paul encourages a young church he had to leave in a hurry. It may be the oldest book in the New Testament. Read [1 Thessalonians 1:1-3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-thessalonians/1#1-3).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Corinth on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#corinth), [About 1 Thessalonians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-thessalonians/about), [About 2 Thessalonians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-thessalonians/about)
- **About AD 53–57: Paul’s third journey.** Paul spends more than two years teaching in Ephesus, and writes to the church in Corinth. Read [Acts 19:8-10](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/19#8-10).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Ephesus on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#ephesus), [About 1 Corinthians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-corinthians/about), [About 2 Corinthians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-corinthians/about)
- **About AD 57: Paul writes Romans.** From Corinth Paul writes his longest letter, to a church in Rome he has not yet visited. Read [Romans 1:1-7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/1#1-7).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Corinth on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#corinth), [About Romans](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/about)
- **About AD 57: Paul is arrested in Jerusalem.** A riot breaks out in the temple over Paul. Roman soldiers take him, and he spends two years held in Caesarea. Read [Acts 21:27-36](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/21#27-36).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [Caesarea on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#caesarea)
- **About AD 60: Paul reaches Rome.** After a shipwreck on Malta, Paul arrives in Rome. He lives two years under guard, welcoming everyone who comes. Read [Acts 28:11-16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/acts/28#11-16).
  - See: [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Malta on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#malta), [Rome on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#rome), [About Philippians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/philippians/about), [About Ephesians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ephesians/about), [About Colossians](https://www.lumin.faith/read/colossians/about), [About Philemon](https://www.lumin.faith/read/philemon/about)
- **AD 64: Nero blames Christians for the fire of Rome.** After a great fire in Rome, the emperor Nero blames the Christians and has many put to death. Source: The Roman historian Tacitus.
  - See: [Rome on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#rome)
- **About AD 64–67: Peter and Paul are killed in Rome.** Early Christian writers say both apostles died in Rome under Nero, Peter crucified and Paul beheaded. Paul’s last letter waits for that day. Read [2 Timothy 4:6-8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-timothy/4#6-8). Source: Early church writers (1 Clement, about AD 96; Eusebius later).
  - Debated date: The New Testament does not tell their deaths. Tradition places both in Rome under Nero, who died in AD 68. The exact years are not known.
  - See: [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter), [Paul](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/paul), [Rome on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#rome), [About 2 Timothy](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-timothy/about), [About 1 Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-peter/about), [About 2 Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-peter/about)
- **About AD 55–70: Mark’s Gospel is written.** Most scholars think Mark was the first Gospel written down. Early tradition says Mark wrote what Peter preached. Read [Mark 1:1-3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/1#1-3).
  - Debated date: No Gospel gives its own date. Many scholars place Mark in the late 60s; others say the 50s. Matthew and Luke are usually placed after Mark.
  - See: [About Mark](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/about), [About Matthew](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/about), [About Luke](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/about)
- **AD 70: Rome destroys the temple.** Roman armies crush a Jewish revolt and burn the temple, as Jesus said: not one stone will be left on another. Read [Luke 21:5-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/21#5-6). Source: Josephus, who saw it.
  - See: [Jerusalem on the map](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem), [About Hebrews](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hebrews/about)
- **About AD 90: John’s Gospel is written.** John writes so that readers may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in his name. Read [John 20:30-31](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/20#30-31).
  - Debated date: Most date John’s Gospel to about AD 90. Some argue for before AD 70.
  - See: [About John](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/about), [About 1 John](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-john/about)
- **About AD 95: John writes Revelation.** Exiled on the island of Patmos, John sees visions of the risen Christ and writes them to seven churches. Read [Revelation 1:9-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/revelation/1#9-11).
  - Debated date: Early church writers put Revelation near the end of the emperor Domitian’s reign, about AD 95. Some scholars date it to the late 60s, under Nero.
  - See: [About Revelation](https://www.lumin.faith/read/revelation/about)

## Dates people ask about

### When was the Exodus?

About 1446 BC by the count in 1 Kings 6:1, or about 1260 BC on the view many scholars hold. Christians hold both.

### When did Abraham live?

Adding up the Bible’s ages puts Abraham’s call around 2091 BC. Many scholars place him later, around 1900–1700 BC.

### When was King David?

David reigned about 1010–970 BC, first at Hebron and then in Jerusalem. Solomon followed him.

### When was Jesus born?

About 6–4 BC. Jesus was born before Herod the Great died, and Herod died around 4 BC.

### What year did Jesus die?

AD 30 or AD 33. Both years fit the Gospels and Pilate’s time as governor, and scholars are split.

### How long between the Old and New Testaments?

About 400 years, from Malachi around 430 BC to the birth of Jesus around 6–4 BC.