The Bible’s timeline

God creates the heavens and the earth, light, the sky, the seas and dry land, plants, celestial bodies, animals, and humanity.

Adam and Eve eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and are driven out of the Garden of Eden.

Cain kills his brother Abel in the first murder in history.

Adam and Eve have a son named Seth as a replacement for Abel. Through Seth, the messianic line continues.

Enoch walked with God for 365 years, and then he was no more, because God took him away.

Methuselah lived 969 years, the longest recorded human lifespan in the Bible.

The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves. The giants (Nephilim) arose.

God sees that human wickedness is great and chooses Noah, a righteous man, to build the ark.

God sends a worldwide flood. Only Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark survive.

God makes a covenant with Noah and sets the rainbow as a sign that he will never again destroy the earth with water.

Shem, Ham, and Japheth become the ancestors of all the nations on earth. The table of nations shows their descendants.

Noah curses Canaan, the son of Ham, after Ham saw his father naked and told his brothers about it.

People attempt to build a tower reaching to heaven. God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth.

The lineage from Shem to Abram through Arpaxad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, and Terah.

Cain's descendants build cities and develop crafts. Lamek takes two wives and boasts about his violence.

Noah is born as the son of Lamech. His name means 'rest' - he will comfort mankind.

God calls Abram to leave Ur and go to the land that God will show him. He is promised that he will become a great nation.

Due to famine, Abram goes to Egypt where he presents Sarai as his sister.

Abram and Lot separate because of conflict between their herdsmen. Lot chooses the Jordan Valley, and Abram remains in Canaan.

Abram defeats the kings who had taken Lot captive and meets Melchizedek, king of Salem.

God makes a covenant with Abraham and promises him the land of Canaan and countless descendants.

Sarai gives her maidservant Hagar to Abram. Hagar bears Ishmael, the ancestor of the Arabs.

God gives Abraham circumcision as a sign of the covenant. Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah.

Three men (angels) visit Abraham by the oaks of Mamre and promise that Sarah will bear a son.

Abraham bargains with God to spare Sodom if there are righteous people there.

God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin. Lot and his daughters are saved.

Lot's daughters have children with their father. They become the matriarchs of the Moabites and Ammonites.

Abraham lives in Gerar and presents Sarah as his sister. Abimelech takes her, but God warns him in a dream.

Abraham and Sarah have their son Isaac in old age, fulfilling God's promise.

Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. God promises to make Ishmael into a great nation.

God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. At the last moment, God intervenes and provides a ram as a substitute offering.

Sarah dies at the age of 127. Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah as a burial place.

Abraham's servant finds Rebekah at the well and brings her to Isaac.

Isaac and Rebekah have twins, Esau and Jacob. Jacob buys the birthright from Esau.

Abraham dies at the age of 175 and is buried in the Cave of Machpelah next to Sarah.

Isaac lives in Gerar during a famine. He passes off Rebekah as his sister, and God blesses him greatly.

Jacob tricks Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing by disguising himself. Esau swears revenge.

Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven at Bethel and receives God's promise of blessing.

Jacob serves Laban for 14 years to get Rachel and Leah as wives, and is tricked into marrying Leah first.

Jacob has twelve sons with Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah. They become the ancestors of Israel's twelve tribes.

Jacob wrestles with a man (angel) through the night and receives the name Israel.

After 20 years, Jacob and Esau meet again. Esau forgives his brother.

Shechem rapes Dinah. Simeon and Levi avenge their sister by killing all the men in Shechem.

Rachel dies in childbirth when she gives birth to Benjamin. She is buried by the road to Ephrath.

Esau settles in the hill country of Seir and becomes the ancestor of the Edomites. His descendants become chiefs and kings.

Joseph dreams that his brothers' sheaves bow down to his, and that the sun, moon, and stars bow down to him.

Joseph's brothers sell him to Midianite merchants. He is taken to Egypt.

Joseph serves in Potiphar's house but is thrown into prison after a false accusation from Potiphar's wife.

Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute to bear children with her father-in-law Judah. She gives birth to Perez and Zerah.

Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker while in prison.

Isaac dies at the age of 180. Esau and Jacob bury him together in the cave of Machpelah.

Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams about seven fat years and seven lean years, and is appointed to govern Egypt.

Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. Joseph recognizes them.

Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers and forgives them. He sends word for his father.

Jacob and his entire family move to Egypt due to the famine and settle in Goshen.

Jacob blesses his twelve sons with prophetic words about each tribe's future.

Jacob dies in Egypt at the age of 147 and is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in Canaan.

Joseph dies at the age of 110. He makes the Israelites promise to carry his bones with them when they leave Egypt.

A new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph fears the Israelites and makes them slaves.

The midwives Shiphrah and Puah refuse to kill Hebrew baby boys and are blessed by God.

Moses is born during Pharaoh's persecution of the Israelites and is saved by Pharaoh's daughter.

Moses kills an Egyptian who is beating a Hebrew and must flee to Midian.

Moses lives for 40 years in Midian, marries Zipporah, and becomes a shepherd for his father-in-law Jethro.

God speaks to Moses from a burning bush on Mount Horeb and calls him to lead Israel out of Egypt.

Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh and demand that he let God's people go.

The Nile and all the water in Egypt turn to blood.

Frogs overrun all of Egypt.

Dust turns into gnats throughout Egypt.

Swarms of flies fill Egypt, but Goshen is spared.

All Egyptian livestock die, but the Israelites' animals are spared.

Boils break out on people and animals in Egypt.

Hail mixed with fire destroys everything that is outside in Egypt.

Locusts cover the land and eat up all the green vegetation left by the hail.

Thick darkness covers Egypt for three days, but the Israelites have light.

All firstborn in Egypt die, from Pharaoh's son to the prisoners' children.

The Israelites celebrate the first Passover and are spared from the angel of death who kills Egypt's firstborn.

Israel leaves Egypt after 430 years, led by Moses with God's mighty hand.

God leads Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

God parts the Red Sea and Israel walks through on dry ground. The Egyptian army drowns when the waters return.

Moses and the Israelites sing a song of praise to the Lord for the victory at the Red Sea.

The bitter water at Marah is made sweet when Moses throws a piece of wood into it.

God gives the people manna from heaven and quail to eat in the wilderness.

Moses strikes the rock at Horeb, and water flows out for the thirsty people.

Israel defeats Amalek when Moses holds up his hands, supported by Aaron and Hur.

Moses' father-in-law Jethro advises him to appoint judges to ease the workload.

God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and the law on Mount Sinai amid thunder, lightning, and earthquakes.

Moses sprinkles the blood of the covenant on the people, and the elders see the God of Israel on the mountain.

While Moses is on the mountain, the people make a golden calf and worship it. In anger, Moses breaks the tablets of the law.

Moses asks to see God's glory. God lets His goodness pass by while Moses is hidden in the mountain cleft.

God gives Moses new stone tablets. When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face shines.

Israel's portable sanctuary is completed and God's glory fills it.

Aaron and his sons are consecrated for priestly service through a seven-day ceremony.

Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire before the Lord and die.

God institutes Yom Kippur - the annual day when the high priest enters the Most Holy Place to atone for the people's sins.

Moses counts all men fit for war in Israel. There are 603,550 men over 20 years old.

12 spies explore Canaan. 10 give a negative report and the people refuse to enter. They are sentenced to 40 years in the wilderness.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebel against Moses and Aaron. The earth opens up and swallows them.

Aaron's staff sprouts, blossoms, and bears almonds as a sign that God has chosen the tribe of Levi.

Miriam, Moses' sister, dies and is buried in Kadesh.

Moses strikes the rock twice instead of speaking to it. Because of this, he is not allowed to enter the land.

Aaron dies on Mount Hor. Eleazar, his son, succeeds him as high priest.

God sends poisonous snakes. Moses makes a bronze serpent, and all who look at it are healed.

Balaam is hired to curse Israel, but his donkey sees the angel and speaks. Balaam blesses Israel instead.

The Israelites sin with Moabite women and worship Baal-Peor. A plague kills 24,000.

The new generation is counted. 601,730 men are ready to enter the promised land.

Zelophehad's five daughters are granted their request that women may inherit land when there are no sons.

Joshua is appointed as Moses' successor to lead the people into the promised land.

Israel completely defeats the Midianites and avenges Baal-Peor.

Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh receive land east of the Jordan.

Moses delivers his farewell speeches in the plains of Moab and renews the covenant with the new generation.

Moses sings his prophetic song about Israel's future and God's faithfulness.

Moses blesses each of the tribes of Israel before his death.

Moses dies on Mount Nebo after seeing the Promised Land. He is buried by God himself.

Joshua sends two spies to Jericho. Rahab hides them and receives a promise that her family will be spared.

Under Joshua's leadership, Israel crosses the Jordan on dry ground and enters the Promised Land.

The new generation is circumcised at Gilgal. The manna ceases, and they eat from the produce of the land.

Joshua meets a man with a drawn sword - the commander of the Lord's army.

The Israelites march around Jericho for seven days, and the walls fall when they blow the trumpets.

Achan takes devoted things. Israel is defeated at Ai. Achan is stoned and burned.

Israel defeats Ai with a surprise attack after Achan's sin has been atoned for.

Joshua reads the law at Ebal and Gerizim with blessings and curses.

The Gibeonites trick Israel into making a covenant by pretending to come from a distant land.

God makes the sun stand still for an entire day while Joshua fights against the Amorites.

Five Amorite kings who hid in a cave are found, hanged, and buried in the cave.

Joshua conquers the cities of southern Canaan: Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir.

Joshua defeats the northern coalition led by Jabin of Hazor at the waters of Merom.

Canaan is divided among the twelve tribes after the conquest.

The 85-year-old Caleb claims and receives Hebron, where the Anakites (giants) lived.

Six cities of refuge are designated for those who kill unintentionally.

48 cities with pasturelands are given to the Levites from the other tribes.

Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh return east of the Jordan. They build an altar that causes conflict.

Joshua urges Israel's leaders to remain faithful to the Lord and warns against turning away.

Joshua gathers Israel at Shechem. The people renew the covenant and promise to serve the Lord alone.

After Joshua's death, Israel is led by judges in a cycle of sin, punishment, repentance, and deliverance.

Othniel defeats Cushan-Rishathaim from Aram and brings peace to the land for 40 years.

The left-handed Ehud kills the obese Moabite king Eglon with a homemade sword.

Shamgar kills 600 Philistines with an ox goad.

The prophetess Deborah leads Israel to victory over Sisera and the Canaanites.

Jael kills the commander Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple.

Deborah and Barak sing a song of praise for the victory over Sisera.

The angel calls Gideon while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

Gideon tests God with a fleece - first wet with dry ground, then dry with wet ground.

Gideon defeats the Midianites with only 300 men, equipped with torches and horns.

Abimelech, Gideon's son, kills 70 brothers and is proclaimed king, but dies during a siege.

Tola from Issachar judges Israel for 23 years, followed by Jair from Gilead for 22 years.

Hannah, who was childless, prays to God and gives birth to Samuel, whom she returns to God for service in the temple.

Hannah sings a prophetic song of praise when she dedicates Samuel to the Lord.

Jephthah defeats the Ammonites but sacrifices his daughter due to a rash vow.

Micah from Ephraim makes an idol and hires a Levite as priest. The tribe of Dan steals the image.

A Levite's concubine is raped and killed in Gibeah. Israel goes to war against Benjamin, and the tribe is nearly wiped out.

The Moabite woman Ruth follows her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel and marries Boaz. She becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

Three minor judges after Jephthah: Ibzan from Bethlehem for 7 years, Elon from Zebulun for 10 years, and Abdon from Ephraim for 8 years.

An angel announces Samson's birth. He is to be a Nazirite and begin delivering Israel from the Philistines.

Samson marries a Philistine woman. At the wedding, he gives them a riddle about the lion and the honey.

Samson sets fire to the Philistines' fields by sending 300 foxes with burning torches tied between their tails.

Samson kills 1,000 Philistines with a donkey's jawbone.

Samson, with supernatural strength from God, fights against the Philistines but falls because of Delilah.

Blind Samson tears down the temple and kills more Philistines in his death than he did during his life.

Samuel prays, and God sends thunder that confuses the Philistines. Israel wins.

Israel's elders come to Samuel and demand a king like all the other nations.

Samuel anoints Saul as Israel's first king, after the people demanded a king like the other nations.

Saul defeats the Ammonites and saves Jabesh-Gilead from having their eyes gouged out.

Jonathan and his armor-bearer attack the Philistine garrison alone and cause confusion.

Saul spares King Agag of the Amalekites and the best of the livestock against God's command.

Samuel proclaims that God has rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience.

David is brought to the court to play the harp and soothe Saul when he is troubled by an evil spirit.

Jonathan and David make a covenant of friendship. Jonathan loves David as his own life.

Saul becomes jealous when the women sing that David has killed ten thousand, but Saul only a thousand.

David marries Saul's daughter Michal after killing 200 Philistines as a bride price.

David must flee from Saul and lives as a refugee in the wilderness with his men.

David receives the showbread and Goliath's sword from the priest Ahimelech. Saul later kills the priests.

David gathers 400 men in the cave of Adullam—the debt-ridden, discontented, and oppressed.

David cuts off a corner of Saul's robe in the cave at En-Gedi instead of killing him.

The prophet Samuel dies and all Israel mourns for him.

David takes Saul's spear and water jug while he sleeps but refuses to kill him.

David flees to the land of the Philistines and lives in Ziklag for one year and four months.

Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, die in the battle on Mount Gilboa.

David mourns Saul and Jonathan with the famous lament 'How the mighty have fallen!'

David is anointed king over Judah in Hebron, while Ish-bosheth becomes king over the rest of Israel.

After Ish-bosheth dies, David becomes king over all Israel.

David captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it the capital of Israel—the City of David.

David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with great celebration and rejoicing.

Uzzah dies when he touches the ark to steady it. David becomes afraid and places the ark in the house of Obed-Edom.

David shows kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's lame son, and allows him to eat at the king's table.

Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon, whom God loves and calls Jedidiah.

The list of David's most loyal warriors - the Thirty and the Three mighty men - who fought for him.

David must flee from Jerusalem, barefoot and weeping, up the Mount of Olives.

David weeps: 'My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you!'

David counts the people in pride. As punishment, a plague comes that kills 70,000 people.

David's son Adonijah tries to seize power, but Bathsheba and Nathan secure Solomon's throne.

Solomon succeeds his father David as king and asks God for wisdom to rule the people.

David dies after 40 years of reign and is buried in the City of David.

Solomon builds the first temple in Jerusalem. It takes seven years to complete.

God reveals Himself to Solomon a second time and warns against apostasy.

Solomon gathers and writes proverbs - words of wisdom for life that have been preserved in Proverbs.

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to hear his wisdom and sees his wealth.

Solomon writes the love poem Song of Songs about the bridegroom and the bride.

Solomon's foreign wives turn his heart to other gods in his old age.

Solomon reflects on the meaninglessness of life under the sun, but concludes: Fear God and keep His commandments.

The prophet Ahijah tears his cloak into twelve pieces and gives ten to Jeroboam—he will become king over ten tribes.

Solomon dies after 40 years of reign. His son Rehoboam takes the throne.

Jeroboam sets up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent the people from going to Jerusalem.

Abijam reigns for three years in Judah and continues in his father's sins.

Asa does what is right in the Lord's eyes and removes the idols.

Nadab reigns for two years before Baasha kills him and destroys the house of Jeroboam.

Ahab becomes king and marries Jezebel, who introduces Baal worship in Israel.

Jehoshaphat does what is right and sends out teachers of the law throughout all Judah.

Elijah stays with a widow. The flour and oil do not run out, and he raises her dead son.

The prophet Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. God sends fire from heaven.

Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, who leaves everything to follow him.

Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Elisha takes over his prophetic mantle.

Elisha throws salt into the spring and heals the bad water.

Elisha helps a widow by causing oil to fill many jars, so she can pay her debts.

Elisha promises a childless woman a son, and later raises him from the dead.

Jezebel is thrown out of a window, and dogs eat her body.

Athaliah kills all the royal heirs and takes power. Only Joash is saved.

Jehu gathers all the worshipers of Baal in the temple and kills them.

Elisha makes an iron axe head float to the surface of the water.

Samaria is besieged until there is famine. God scares the Syrians away with the sound of a great army.

The seven-year-old Joash is crowned king. Athaliah is executed.

Joel prophesies about a locust plague and the day of the Lord, promising the outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh.

King Joash collects money and repairs the temple, which had fallen into disrepair.

The prophet Jonah proclaims judgment against Nineveh after being swallowed by a great fish. The city repents.

Amos, a shepherd from Tekoa, prophesies against Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II.

Hosea marries the unfaithful Gomer as a symbol of God's love for unfaithful Israel.

King Uzziah of Judah becomes leprous because he enters the temple to offer incense.

Isaiah sees the Lord on His throne and receives his call to prophetic ministry: 'Here I am, send me!'

Micah prophesies about the Messiah's birthplace in Bethlehem and God's requirement for justice.

Isaiah gives King Ahaz the sign of the virgin who will give birth to Immanuel.

Assyria conquers Israel (the northern kingdom) and leads the people into exile. The ten tribes are scattered.

Assyria settles foreign peoples in Samaria who mix with the remaining Israelites.

King Hezekiah carries out a major religious reform and celebrates Passover in Jerusalem.

Hezekiah builds a tunnel to channel water into the city in case of siege.

Under King Hezekiah, Assyria besieges Jerusalem, but God's angel kills 185,000 enemies in one night.

Manasse reigns for 55 years and is the worst king of Judah, practicing idolatry and child sacrifice.

Nahum prophesies about the fall of Nineveh—God's judgment on Assyria.

Zephaniah prophesies about the Day of the Lord—both judgment and salvation.

Jeremiah is called as a prophet while still young: 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'

King Josiah finds the Book of the Law in the temple and carries out a major religious reformation in Judah.

Habakkuk asks God why He uses evil Babylonians to punish Judah.

Josiah dies in battle against Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo. All of Judah mourns.

Nebuchadnezzar takes the first captives to Babylon, including Daniel.

King Jehoiakim cuts up and burns Jeremiah's prophecies piece by piece.

Nebuchadnezzar takes more captives to Babylon, including Ezekiel and King Jeconiah.

Ezekiel sees God's glory by the Kebar River in Babylon and is called as a prophet.

King Zedekiah breaks his covenant with Babylon and rebels against Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel and three friends are chosen for training at the court of Babylon. They refuse the king's food.

Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream about the great statue representing the world empires.

Ezekiel lies on his side for 390 plus 40 days, eats food baked over dung, and shaves his head to illustrate Jerusalem's judgment.

Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem. Zedekiah refuses to surrender despite Jeremiah's warnings.

God takes Ezekiel's wife as a sign. He is not allowed to mourn—a picture of how the people will lose the temple.

Solomon's temple is burned down after standing for nearly 400 years.

Zedekiah's sons are killed before his eyes, then he is blinded and taken to Babylon.

Gedaliah, whom the Babylonians appointed as governor, is murdered. The survivors flee to Egypt.

The refugees take Jeremiah to Egypt against his will. He prophesies Babylon's victory there as well.

Jeremiah writes laments over the destruction of Jerusalem.

Obadiah prophesies judgment against Edom for their betrayal of Judah during Jerusalem's fall.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image, but come out unharmed.

Ezekiel sees a detailed vision of a new temple with water flowing from it.

Nebuchadnezzar goes mad and lives like a beast for seven years until he acknowledges God's power.

After 37 years in captivity, King Jehoiachin is released and eats at the table of the Babylonian king.

Daniel receives visions about the four beasts, the Son of Man, and future kingdoms.

A hand writes on the wall during Belshazzar's feast. Daniel interprets the message: Babylon will fall.

Cyrus conquers Babylon. The Babylonian Empire falls to the Persians on the same night as Belshazzar's feast.

Daniel is thrown into the lions' den for praying to God, but the lions do not harm him.

Daniel receives the prophecy of the 70 weeks that points forward to the Messiah.

The first group of Jews under Zerubbabel returns to Jerusalem from Babylon.

The returned exiles build the altar and begin offering sacrifices, even before the temple is rebuilt.

The foundation of the second temple is laid with both joy and weeping.

The Samaritans and other opponents halt the temple construction for many years.

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to complete the temple.

Encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Joshua begin rebuilding.

Zechariah receives eight night visions concerning Israel's restoration and the coming of the Messiah.

The second temple is completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel, encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.

The returned exiles celebrate Passover for the first time in the new temple.

The Jewish girl Esther becomes queen in Persia under King Ahasuerus (Xerxes).

Haman plans to exterminate all Jews in the Persian Empire because of Mordecai.

Queen Esther reveals Haman's plan to destroy the Jews and saves her people.

The Jews establish the feast of Purim to remember their deliverance from Haman.

The priest Ezra leads a new group back from Babylon and restores the law.

Ezra leads a group of about 1,500 men with their families from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezra confronts the people about marrying foreign women. They repent and separate themselves.

Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king in Susa, learns that Jerusalem's walls lie in ruins.

King Artaxerxes grants Nehemiah permission to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls.

Nehemiah leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in just 52 days, despite opposition.

Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem try to stop the wall-building with threats and intrigue.

Ezra reads the Law aloud to the people at the Water Gate. They weep and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

The people confess their sins and renew their covenant with God.

Nehemiah carries out reforms: he cleanses the temple, reinstates the Sabbath, and resolves marriage issues.

Malachi is the last of the OT prophets. Then follows 400 years of prophetic silence.

Malachi prophesies about a messenger who will come - fulfilled in John the Baptist.

400 years without prophetic word. The Jews are ruled by Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

Alexander the Great conquers Persia and the entire Middle East, including Israel. Greek culture spreads.

Alexander dies in Babylon at only 32 years old. The empire is divided among his generals.

Israel comes under Ptolemaic (Egyptian) rule. The Jews enjoy relative peace and religious freedom.

Israel comes under Seleucid (Syrian) control after the Battle of Panias.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes forbids Jewish religious practice and desecrates the temple.

Antiochus sets up an altar to Zeus in the temple and sacrifices a pig - the abomination of desolation.

Judas Maccabeus cleanses and rededicates the temple. This is commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.

The religious groups of the Pharisees and Sadducees emerge with different theological positions.

The Essene community establishes itself at Qumran and writes the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Greek (Koine) has become the common language throughout the Mediterranean region.

A strong expectation of the coming of the Messiah grows among the Jews under foreign rule.

Augustus's era of peace creates stable conditions that later facilitate the spread of the gospel.

The angel Gabriel announces to the priest Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth will give birth to John the Baptist.

The angel Gabriel comes to Mary in Nazareth and tells her that she will give birth to God's Son.

Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. John leaps in his mother's womb, and Mary sings the Magnificat.

John is born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah regains his speech and sings the Benedictus.

Jesus Christ, God's Son, is born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem.

Angels announce Jesus' birth to shepherds who come to worship him.

Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day and presented in the temple, where Simeon and Anna prophesy.

Wise men from the East follow a star and come to worship the newborn king.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus flee to Egypt to escape Herod's massacre of male infants.

Herod kills all male children under two years old in Bethlehem to eliminate the 'newborn king'.

After Herod's death, the family returns and settles in Nazareth.

The young Jesus is found in the temple, where he discusses with the teachers.

John begins his ministry in the wilderness and prepares the way for the Messiah.

Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan. The Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven.

Jesus fasts for 40 days in the wilderness and is tempted by the devil, but overcomes all temptations.

Andrew and another disciple follow Jesus after John's testimony.

Jesus' first miracle: He turns water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple: 'Do not make my Father's house a marketplace!'

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. Jesus teaches about being born again.

Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well and offers her living water.

Jesus preaches in the synagogue at Nazareth but is rejected by his own people.

Jesus calls his twelve disciples to follow him and become fishers of men.

Jesus delivers his great sermon on the mountain about the ethics of God's kingdom and the Beatitudes.

A Roman officer shows great faith, and Jesus heals his servant from a distance.

Jesus raises a widow's only son from the dead in the village of Nain.

John sends disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Jesus confirms with his deeds.

A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil and wipes them with her hair.

Jesus commands the storm on the Sea of Galilee to cease. The disciples wonder: 'Who is he?'

Jesus drives out a legion of demons from a man. The demons enter a herd of pigs.

Jesus raises the synagogue ruler's daughter from the dead: 'Talita kumi!'

Herod Antipas beheads John after Salome's dance and at Herodias' request.

Jesus feeds more than 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.

Jesus walks on water to his disciples during a storm on the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus declares: 'I am the bread of life.' Many disciples leave him.

A Gentile woman's faith impresses Jesus, and he heals her daughter.

Jesus feeds 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few small fish.

Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus promises to build his church on this rock.

Jesus begins to tell the disciples that he must suffer, die, and rise again on the third day.

Jesus is transfigured on a high mountain before Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah appear.

Jesus tells the parable about who our neighbor is.

Jesus visits Mary and Martha. Mary chooses 'the good portion' by listening to Jesus.

Jesus teaches the disciples to pray the Our Father.

Jesus heals a man who was born blind. 'I am the light of the world.'

Jesus declares: 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.'

Jesus tells about a father who welcomes his lost son with open arms.

Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks.

A rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, but goes away sorrowful.

Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from the dead after four days in the tomb.

The blind man Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus outside Jericho. Jesus heals him, and he follows Jesus.

The tax collector Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus invites himself to his home.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowd shouts 'Hosanna' and spreads palm branches.

Jesus tells about a master who entrusts talents to his servants - a warning about faithfulness in service.

Jesus drives out the merchants from the temple again: 'My house shall be called a house of prayer!'

Jesus tells his disciples about the destruction of the temple and the end of the age on the Mount of Olives.

Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive nard oil. 'She has done it to prepare me for burial.'

Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins.

Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper with his disciples on the evening before his death.

Jesus sets an example of humility by washing the disciples' feet.

Jesus teaches the disciples in the upper room about the Advocate, love, and remaining in him.

Jesus prays for himself, his disciples, and all believers concerning unity and glory.

Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane and sweats blood as he prepares for crucifixion.

Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Peter denies Jesus three times before the rooster crows, just as Jesus predicted.

Jesus is brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas. He is condemned for blasphemy.

Judas repents and hangs himself after betraying innocent blood.

Jesus is brought before Pilate, who finds no guilt in him but yields to the crowd.

Jesus is crucified at Golgotha between two thieves. He dies for the sins of the world.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus place Jesus' body in a new tomb.

Jesus rises from the dead on the third day. The tomb is empty!

Jesus reveals himself to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and explains the Scriptures.

Thomas refuses to believe until he sees and touches Jesus' wounds. 'My Lord and my God!'

Jesus asks Peter three times: 'Do you love me?' and gives him the task of feeding his sheep.

The risen Jesus commissions the disciples to make disciples of all nations.

Jesus is taken up into heaven from the Mount of Olives while the disciples watch. Angels promise that he will return.

Matthias is chosen by lot to replace Judas as the twelfth apostle.

The Holy Spirit is poured out on the disciples. They speak in tongues and 3,000 people are saved.

Peter delivers his first major sermon and explains the events of Pentecost from Scripture.

Believers meet together, share everything, break bread in their homes, and win favor with all the people.

Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth at the temple gate.

Peter and John are arrested for preaching the resurrection. They are released with a warning.

Ananias and Sapphira lie about the sale price and fall dead.

The apostles are beaten by the Sanhedrin but rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' name.

Seven men, including Stephen and Philip, are chosen to handle practical tasks.

Stephen delivers a long speech before the Sanhedrin, reviewing Israel's history.

Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr. He is stoned to death while Saul (Paul) watches.

Great persecution breaks out against the church. The believers are scattered and preach the gospel everywhere.

Philip preaches the gospel in Samaria with signs and wonders. Many are saved.

Philip explains Isaiah to an Ethiopian official who is baptized on the way.

Saul, the church's persecutor, meets the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and is converted.

Saul is lowered in a basket through the city wall to escape the Jews who want to kill him.

Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead.

Peter preaches the gospel to the Roman officer Cornelius. The Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit.

Peter sees a sheet with unclean animals and learns that God does not show favoritism among people.

The disciples are called 'Christians' for the first time in Antioch. Barnabas and Saul work there.

The prophet Agabus predicts a great famine. The believers gather aid for Judea.

An angel frees Peter from prison on the night before he is to be executed.

Paul and Barnabas set out on the first organized missionary journey.

Paul blinds the sorcerer Bar-Jesus (Elymas) who tries to hinder the gospel.

Paul delivers a major sermon in the synagogue at Antioch about Israel's history and Jesus.

Paul is stoned and left for dead in Lystra, but gets up and continues on.

James, the Lord's brother, writes his letter about faith and works to the twelve tribes in the diaspora.

The apostles and elders meet to decide whether Gentile Christians must be circumcised.

Paul writes to the churches in Galatia and defends the gospel of righteousness by faith, not by the law.

Paul and Barnabas disagree about Mark and go their separate ways.

Paul travels through Asia Minor and crosses over to Europe. The gospel reaches Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.

The young Timothy from Lystra becomes Paul's coworker and spiritual son.

Paul sees a man from Macedonia in a vision who urges him to come. The gospel reaches Europe.

Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, becomes the first European convert.

Paul and Silas sing in prison. An earthquake opens the doors. The jailer is saved.

Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea. The Bereans examine the Scriptures daily.

Paul delivers his famous speech at the Areopagus and preaches about the unknown God.

Paul stays with Aquila and Priscilla and preaches in Corinth for a year and a half.

Paul writes two letters to the church in Thessalonica about Christ's return and comfort in persecution.

Proconsul Gallio refuses to judge Paul because it involves religious disputes.

Paul spends three years in Ephesus and strengthens the congregations in Greece.

The eloquent Apollos receives better instruction from Aquila and Priscilla.

Paul works in Ephesus for three years. The gospel spreads throughout the province of Asia.

Paul writes two letters to the troubled church in Corinth about unity, love, and the resurrection.

The silversmith Demetrius starts a riot because Paul threatens the worship of Artemis.

Eutychus falls asleep during Paul's long sermon, falls out and dies, but Paul raises him back to life.

Paul delivers a moving farewell speech to the elders from Ephesus.

Paul is arrested in the temple and begins his long journey as a prisoner to Rome.

Paul defends himself before the Sanhedrin, causing division between the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Forty men swear to kill Paul. His nephew reveals the plot, and Paul is sent to Caesarea.

Paul defends himself before Governor Felix, who keeps him imprisoned for two years.

Paul writes his theological masterpiece to the church in Rome about salvation by grace through faith.

Paul appeals to the emperor to have his case tried in Rome.

Paul testifies before King Agrippa: 'You almost persuade me to become a Christian!'

The ship carrying Paul to Rome runs aground on Malta. All 276 on board are saved.

Paul is bitten by a venomous snake but suffers no harm. He heals the sick on the island.

Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner and preaches the gospel freely for two years while awaiting trial.

Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon from prison in Rome.

James, the Lord's brother and leader of Jerusalem, is stoned to death (according to Josephus).

According to tradition, Peter is crucified upside down in Rome during Nero's persecution.

Peter writes two letters about enduring suffering and warnings against false teachers.

Paul writes 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus with guidance for church leaders.

According to tradition, Paul is beheaded in Rome during Nero's persecution.

An unknown author writes about Christ as the perfect high priest and the better covenant.

Jude, Jesus' brother, writes a powerful letter against false teachers who have slipped into the church.

The apostle John writes three letters about love, truth, and warnings against the Antichrist.

The apostle John writes his gospel focusing on Jesus' divine nature: 'In the beginning was the Word.'

The apostle John receives the revelation about the end times on the island of Patmos.

The apostle John exiled to the island of Patmos during Emperor Domitian's persecution.