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Introduction to the Chronological Events in the Life of Jesus and John the Baptist

The lives of Jesus and John the Baptist unfold like two threads woven through the same divine tapestry—distinct in calling, yet inseparably linked in God’s redemptive plan. From the angelic announcements of their births to the final moments before Jesus’ Ascension, their stories move side by side through prophecy, preparation, ministry, and fulfillment. This timeline traces that shared journey, beginning with the birth of John the Baptist and continuing through the earthly life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

To help readers see the fuller picture of this remarkable era, the timeline also includes key historical events happening in the wider world during the same period. These moments—from political shifts to cultural developments—provide helpful context for understanding the environment into which Jesus and John were born and in which the early chapters of the New Testament unfolded.

Some entries include links to reputable secular resources for those who wish to explore the historical background more deeply. These external references are offered simply to enrich understanding and to show how the biblical narrative fits within the broader history of the ancient world.

As you walk through these events, may you gain a clearer sense of God’s timing, His faithfulness across generations, and the beautiful way Scripture and history meet in the story of Jesus and His forerunner, John.

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All Dates are Approximate.

• 6 BC Birth of John the Baptist
  • Luke 1
  • John 1:6
• 6 BC Augustus Taxes the Roman Empire
  • Luke 2
• 5 BC Birth of Jesus
  • Matthew 1
  • Mark 1
  • Luke 2:6
  • John 1:14
  • The Angel’s Tidings
• 5 BC Visit of the Magi
  • Matthew 2
  • The Wise Men’s Visit
• 5 BC Escape to Egypt
  • Matthew 2:13
• 4 BC Slaughter of Infants
  • Matthew 2:16
• 4 BC Return to Nazareth
  • Matthew 2:23
• 4 AD Adoption of Tiberius as heir to Augustus after the deaths of Gaius and Lucius Caesar.
• 5 AD Tiberius campaigns in Germania.
• 6 AD Revolts in Pannonia and Illyricum.
• 8 AD The future emperor Claudius is appointed an augur, his only official post under Augustus.
• 8 AD The Boy Jesus at the Temple
  • Luke 2:41
• 9 AD Birth of the Emperor Vespasian in the town of Reate.
• 9 AD The Battle of Teutoburg Forest between P. Quintilius ending in a complete route (including the destruction of 3 legions) for Rome.
• 9 AD The Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace) is completed by Augustus in Rome.
• 14 AD Death of the Emperor Augustus, in the city of Nola in Italy. Ascension of Tiberius
• 14 AD Mutiny of the Rhine legions upon the news of the death of Augustus which is quelled by Germanicus Caesar.
• 14 – 16 AD Germanicus Caesar campaigns against the Germanic tribes.
• 14 AD L. Aelius Sejanus is appointed as Praetorian Prefect.
• 14 AD Death of the Roman historian Livy, in the city of Patavium, Italy.
• 14 AD The aqueduct, the Pont du Gard, is completed near modern Nimes in Gaul.
• 15 AD Emperor Tiberius transfers the elections from the popular assemblies to the Senate.
• 15 AD Birth of the Emperor Vitellius.
• 17 AD Death of the Roman writer Ovid, who died in Tomis, Moesia while exile, apparantly because of offenses to Augustus’ moral code.
• 19 AD Death of Germanicus, possibly but not necessarily by the direct order of Tiberius.
• 22 AD Construction of the Castra Praetoria (Praetorian barracks) by Sejanus is completed and the Praetorians are forever changed into a political force.
• 23 AD Birth of the Roman historian Pliny the Elder, in the town of Novum Comum, in Italy.
• 26 AD Pontius Pilate is appointed as the prefect of Judaea.
• 26 AD Tiberius retires to his estate on Capri, effectively giving Sejanus unlimited imperial authority.
• 26 AD John the Baptist Prepares the Way
  • Matthew 3
  • Mark 1:4
  • Luke 3
  • John 1:15
• 26 AD The Baptism of Jesus
  • Matthew 3:13
  • Mark 1:9,
  • Luke 3:21
• 27 AD Temptation of Jesus
  • Matthew 4,
  • Mark 1:12,
  • Luke 4
  • Temptation of Christ in the Judean Wilderness
• 27 AD Jesus Calls his First Disciples
  • Matthew 4:18,
  • Mark 1:16,
  • Luke 5
• 27 AD Wedding at Cana
  • John 2
• 27 AD Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
  • John 3
• 27 AD Jesus Testifies to the Samaritan Woman
  • John 4
• 27 AD Sermon on the Mount
  • Matthew 5 – 7
• 28 AD Instructions on Prayer
  • Luke 11
• 28 AD Jesus Ministers in Galilee
  • Matthew 8
  • Mark 2,
  • Luke 4:14
• 28 AD The Pool of Bethesda
  • John 5
• 28 AD Jesus Lord of the Sabbath
  • Matthew 12,
  • Mark 3,
  • Luke 6
• 28 AD Jesus Answers John’s Disciples
  • Matthew 11,
  • Luke 7
• 28 AD Jesus Speaks Many Parables
  • Matthew 13,
  • Mark 4,
  • Luke 8
• 28 AD Jesus Heals a Demoniac
  • Matthew 8:28,
  • Mark 5,
  • Luke 8:26
• 28 AD Jesus Heals a Paralytic
  • Matthew 9
• 28 AD John the Baptist is executed by Herod Antipas, son of King Herod in Judaea.
  • Matthew 14,
  • Mark 6:14
• 29 AD Livia, the wife of Augustus, dies in Rome at the age of 86.
• 29 AD Jesus Sends out His Twelve Apostles
  • Matthew 10,
  • Mark 6
• 29 AD Jesus Feeds the 5,000
  • Matthew 14:15,
  • Mark 6:30,
  • Luke 9,
  • John 6
• 29 AD Teachings on Clean and Unclean
  • Matthew 15,
  • Mark 7
• 29 AD Peter’s Confession of Christ
  • Matthew 16,
  • Mark 8,
  • Luke 9:18
• 29 AD The Transfiguration
  • Matthew 17,
  • Mark 9,
  • Luke 9:28
• 29 AD Greatest and Least in the Kingdom
  • Matthew 18
• 29 AD Jesus Sends out the Seventy-two
  • Luke 10
• 29 AD Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles
  • John 7
• 29 AD The Woman Caught in Adultery
  • John 8
• 29 AD Jesus Affirms He is the Son of God
  • John 9
• 29 AD The Shepherd and His Flock
  • John 10
• 30 AD Birth of the Emperor Nerva in the city of Narnia.
• 30 AD Jesus Speaks More Parables
  • Luke 12 – 16
• 30 AD Jesus Cleanses the Ten Lepers
  • Luke 17
• 30 AD Jesus Raises Lazarus
  • John 11
• 30 AD Estimated date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
  • 30 AD Final Journey to Jerusalem
    • Matthew 19, 20,
    • Mark 10,
    • Luke 18
  • 30 AD The Triumphal Entry
    • Matthew 21,
    • Mark 11,
    • Luke 19,
    • John 12
  • 30 AD Closing Ministry in Jerusalem
    • Matthew 22 – 25,
    • Mark 12, 13,
    • Luke 20, 21
  • 30 AD Thursday Before Passover
    • Matthew 26,
    • Mark 14,
    • Luke 22,
    • John 13
  • 30 AD Jesus Comforts His Disciples
    • John 14
  • 30 AD Jesus the True Vine
    • John 15
  • 30 AD Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
    • John 16
  • 30 AD Jesus’ Intercessory prayers
    • John 17
    • The Three Prayers in the Garden
  • 30 AD Jesus’ Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion
    • Matthew 27,
    • Mark 15,
    • Luke 23,
    • John 18, 19
  • 30 AD Jesus’ Resurrection
    • Matthew 28,
    • Mark 16,
    • Luke 24,
    • John 20, 21
  • 30 AD The Ascension
    • Acts 1