Historical context is essential to an informed study of what was going on when God conveyed His truth in the ancient World. When we understand what it meant to the early believers, we present-day believers can then apply it to our lives today. While the history of the NT includes an examination of the times and customs of Palestinian Jews and the Greek culture of the eastern Mediterranean basin, most believers are not historians and don’t have time to do extensive research. But, praise God, many have done the heavy lifting for us.

Here is one resource that I compiled from the work of five recognized historians and commentators into a graphic timeline. This chart shows the authorship dates of the NT writings and the primary apostolic deaths (Paul, Peter and John), all set against the backdrop of the significant dates of the Roman emperors and Herodian rules of Palestine during the first century.

Special thanks to Ron Brancato, who rendered all of this into a visual chart. Click here.