Additional Dated Events contributing towards a better understanding of the timeline in the N

Statement of belief: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)

Updated 5928± 10 21 2024 [2007-12-31]

Roman Procurators over Judea

contributing towards a better understanding

of the timeline in the N.T.:

Abstract:

Once the year of the Passover of Crucifixion is established it becomes an easy matter to place many other events more or less firmly in time. Under the guidance of Yahweh and based upon an 18 CE crucifixion, and/or upon 18± celestial events dated using astronomical tables, a number of New Testament events, various rulers over Israel and Judae, the War and the Destruction of Jerusalem, and also the Regnal Years and Dates of all Roman Emperors from Julius Caesar through Caesar Domitian, have been identified and dated. The complete details of this study may be found below:

I. Valerius Gratus’ reign; including also the high priests Ananus, Ismael, Eleazar, Simon, and Joseph Caiaphas:

Gratus’ reign (Preceding Pilate on the same post): If Gratus’ accession year started within Tiberius’ two to three months long accession year, then Gratus’ 11^th year of reign would be concurrent with Tiberius’ 11^th year of reign. Any additional time within Gratus’ incomplete 12^th year would meet the accession year of Pilate, which started within the Jewish year Tishri 1, 11 CE through Elul, 12 CE.

“After him [Marcus Ambivius] came Annius Rufus, under whom died Caesar, the second emperor of the Romans, the duration of whose reign was fifty-seven years, besides six months and two days (of which time Antonius ruled together with him fourteen years; but the duration of his life was seventy-seven years); upon whose death Tiberius Nero, his wife Julia's son, succeeded. He was now the third emperor; and he sent Valerius Gratus to be procurator of Judea, and to succeed Annius Rufus. This man deprived Ananus of the high priesthood, and appointed Ismael, the son of Phabi, to be high priest. He also deprived him in a little time, and ordained Eleazar, the son of Ananus, who had been high priest before, to be high priest; which office, when he had held for a year, Gratus deprived him of it, and gave the high priesthood to Simon, the son of Camithus; and when he had possessed that dignity no longer than a year, Joseph Caiaphas was made his successor. When Gratus had done those things, he went back to Rome, after he had tarried in Judea eleven years, when Pontius Pilate came as his successor.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:2:2.

Re the death of Caesar Augustus and the succession of Tiberius Caesar, please cf. The Death of Caesar Augustus!

I. Pontius Pilate’s reign:

Pontius Pilate’s reign: Josephus’ stated:

“3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:3:3.

“2. But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an embassy to Vitellius, a man that had been consul, and who was now president of Syria, and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed; for that they did not go to Tirathaba in order to revolt from the Romans, but to escape the violence of Pilate. So Vitellius sent Marcellus, a friend of his, to take care of the affairs of Judea, and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the accusations of the Jews. So Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome, Tiberius was dead.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:4:2.

“And, as a further attestation to what I say of the dilatory nature of Tiberius, I appeal to this his practice itself; for although he was emperor twenty-two years, he sent in all but two procurators to govern the nation of the Jews, Gratus, and his successor in the government, Pilate.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:6:5.

If Pilate’s 10^th year of reign was counted by Josephus as concurrent with Tiberius’ 22^nd year, then Pilate’s 1^st year was concurrent with Tiberius’ 13^th year, starting very likely with a prior accession year, not included in the count, but which was concurrent with Tiberius’ 12^th year, which 12^th year ended at the beginning of Tishri 1, 12 CE.

“Eusebius, in agreement with Josephus, also tells us that Pilate began his reign over Judea in the 12th year of Tiberius Caesar.” (Ronald L. Conte Jr quoting from Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 1.9.2.)

“Josephus places Gratus’ rule over Judea during the first eleven years of Tiberius’ reign, so that the first year of Pilate’s rule over Judea began in the 12th year of Tiberius’ reign. Eusebius, a bishop and historian of the early Church, interprets Josephus to the same conclusion: “it was actually in the twelfth year of the reign of Tiberius that Pilate was appointed procurator of Judea by Tiberius.” (Ronald L. Conte Jr quoting from Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Loeb Classical Library, 1.9.4.)

II. Vitellius’ reign:

“2. But when this tumult was appeased, the Samaritan senate sent an embassy to Vitellius, a man that had been consul, and who was now president of Syria, and accused Pilate of the murder of those that were killed; for that they did not go to Tirathaba in order to revolt from the Romans, but to escape the violence of Pilate. So Vitellius sent Marcellus, a friend of his, to take care of the affairs of Judea, and ordered Pilate to go to Rome, to answer before the emperor to the accusations of the Jews. So Pilate, when he had tarried ten years in Judea, made haste to Rome, and this in obedience to the orders of Vitellius, which he durst not contradict; but before he could get to Rome Tiberius was dead.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:4:2.

III. Marullus’ reign:

“Now, as soon as Caius was come to Rome, and had brought Tiberius's dead body with him, and had made a sumptuous funeral for him, according to the laws of his country, he was much disposed to set Agrippa at liberty that very day; but Antonia hindered him, not out of any ill-will to the prisoner, but out of regard to decency in Caius, lest that should make men believe that he received the death of Tiberius with pleasure, when he loosed one whom he had bound immediately. However, there did not many days pass ere he sent for him to his house, and had him shaved, and made him change his raiment; after which he put a diadem upon his head, and appointed him to be king of the tetrarchy of Philip. He also gave him the tetrarchy of Lysanias, (27) and changed his iron chain for a golden one of equal weight. He also sent Marullus to be procurator of Judea.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:6:10.

IV. Petronius’ reign:

“2. Hereupon Caius, taking it very heinously that he should be thus despised by the Jews alone, sent Petronius to be president of Syria, and successor in the government to Vitellius, and gave him order to make an invasion into Judea, with a great body of troops; and if they would admit of his statue willingly, to erect it in the temple of God; but if they were obstinate, to conquer them by war, and then to do it. Accordingly, Petronius took the government of Syria, and made haste to obey Caesar's epistle. He got together as great a number of auxiliaries as he possibly could, and took with him two legions of the Roman army, and came to Ptolemais, and there wintered, as intending to set about the war in the spring.” Josephus, Antiquities XVIII:8:2.

V. Ummidius Quadratus’ reign:

“2. But the principal of the Samaritans went to Ummidius Quadratus, the president of Syria, who at that time was at Tyre, and accused the Jews of setting their villages on fire, and plundering them; and said withal, that they were not so much displeased at what they had suffered, as they were at the contempt thereby showed the Romans; while if they had received any injury, they ought to have made them the judges of what had been done, and not presently to make such devastation, as if they had not the Romans for their governors; on which account they came to him, in order to obtain that vengeance they wanted. This was the accusation which the Samaritans brought against the Jews. But the Jews affirmed that the Samaritans were the authors of this tumult and fighting, and that, in the first place, Cumanus had been corrupted by their gifts, and passed over the murder of those that were slain in silence; - which allegations when Quadratus heard, he put off the hearing of the cause, and promised that he would give sentence when he should come into Judea, and should have a more exact knowledge of the truth of that matter. So these men went away without success. Yet was it not long ere Quadratus came to Samaria, where, upon hearing the cause, he supposed that the Samaritans were the authors of that disturbance. But when he was informed that certain of the Jews were making innovations, he ordered those to be crucified whom Cumanus had taken captives. From whence he came to a certain village called Lydda, which was not less than a city in largeness, and there heard the Samaritan cause a second time before his tribunal, and there learned from a certain Samaritan that one of the chief of the Jews, whose name was Dortus, and some other innovators with him, four in number, persuaded the multitude to a revolt from the Romans; whom Quadratus ordered to be put to death: but still he sent away Ananias the high priest, and Ananus the commander [of the temple], in bonds to Rome, to give an account of what they had done to Claudius Caesar. He also ordered the principal men, both of the Samaritans and of the Jews, as also Cumanus the procurator, and Ceier the tribune, to go to Italy to the emperor, that he might hear their cause, and determine their differences one with another. But he came again to the city of Jerusalem, out of his fear that the multitude of the Jews should attempt some innovations; but he found the city in a peaceable state, and celebrating one of the usual festivals of their country to God. So he believed that they would not attempt any innovations, and left them at the celebration of the festival, and returned to Antioch.” Josephus, Antiquities XX:6:2.

“3. Now Cumanus, and the principal of the Samaritans, who were sent to Rome, had a day appointed them by the emperor whereon they were to have pleaded their cause about the quarrels they had one with another. But now Caesar's freed-men and his friends were very zealous on the behalf of Cumanus and the Samaritans; and they had prevailed over the Jews, unless Agrippa, junior, who was then at Rome, had seen the principal of the Jews hard set, and had earnestly entreated Agrippina, the emperor's wife, to persuade her husband to hear the cause, so as was agreeable to his justice, and to condemn those to be punished who were really the authors of this revolt from the Roman government: - whereupon Claudius was so well disposed beforehand, that when he had heard the cause, and found that the Samaritans had been the ringleaders in those mischievous doings, he gave order that those who came up to him should be slain, and that Cureanus should be banished. He also gave order that Celer the tribune should be carried back to Jerusalem, and should be drawn through the city in the sight of all the people, and then should be slain.” Josephus, Antiquities XX:6:3.

VI. Cestius Gallus’ reign:

“3. And truly, while Cestius Gallus was president of the province of Syria, nobody durst do so much as send an embassage to him against Florus; but when he was come to Jerusalem, upon the approach of the feast of unleavened bread, the people came about him not fewer in number than three millions (19) these besought him to commiserate the calamities of their nation, and cried out upon Florus as the bane of their country. But as he was present, and stood by Cestius, he laughed at their words. However, Cestius, when he had quieted the multitude, and had assured them that he would take care that Florus should hereafter treat them in a more gentle manner, returned to Antioch. Florus also conducted him as far as Cesarea…” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, II:14:3.

“11. But Cestius sent Gallus, the commander of the twelfth legion, into Galilee, and delivered to him as many of his forces as he supposed sufficient to subdue that nation. He was received by the strongest city of Galilee, which was Sepphoris, with acclamations of joy; which wise conduct of that city occasioned the rest of the cities to be in quiet; while the seditious part and the robbers ran away to that mountain which lies in the very middle of Galilee, and is situated over against Sepphoris; it is called Asamon. So Gallus brought his forces against them; but while those men were in the superior parts above the Romans, they easily threw their darts upon the Romans, as they made their approaches, and slew about two hundred of them. But when the Romans had gone round the mountains, and were gotten into the parts above their enemies, the others were soon beaten; nor could they who had only light armor on sustain the force of them that fought them armed all over; nor when they were beaten could they escape the enemies' horsemen; insomuch that only some few concealed themselves in certain places hard to be come at, among the mountains, while the rest, above two thousand in number, were slain.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, II:18:11.

“1. AND now Gallus, seeing nothing more that looked towards an innovation in Galilee, returned with his army to Cesarea: but Cestius removed with his whole army, and marched to Antipatris; and when he was informed that there was a great body of Jewish forces gotten together in a certain tower called Aphek, he sent a party before to fight them; but this party dispersed the Jews by affrighting them before it came to a battle: so they came, and finding their camp deserted, they burnt it, as well as the villages that lay about it. But when Cestius had marched from Antipatris to Lydda, he found the city empty of its men, for the whole multitude (28) were gone up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles; yet did he destroy fifty of those that showed themselves, and burnt the city, and so marched forwards; and ascending by Betboron, he pitched his camp at a certain place called Gabao, fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, II:19:1.

VII. Vespasian’ reign:

“Upon the whole, he [Nero] sent this man [Vespasian] to take upon him the command of the armies that were in Syria; but this not without great encomiums and flattering compellations, such as necessity required, and such as might mollify him into complaisance.“ Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, III:1:3.

Roman Procurators to Judea

Apparently the following procurators were sent to Judea in lieu of Agrippa Jr who was too young (only 17 y/o) at the death of his father Agrippa (I):

Cuspins Fadus, Tiberius Alexander, Cumanus, Felix, Festus, Albinus, then Gessius Florus:

Related quotes from Josephus, Antiquities XIX & XX:

“1. AND thus did king Agrippa depart this life. But he left behind him a son, Agrippa by name, a youth in the seventeenth year of his age” Josephus, Antiquities, XIX:9:1

“2. Now Agrippa, the son of the deceased, was at Rome, and brought up with Claudius Caesar. And when Caesar was informed that Agrippa was dead, and that the inhabitants of Sebaste and Cesarea had abused him, he was sorry for the first news, and was displeased with the ingratitude of those cities. He was therefore disposed to send Agrippa, junior, away presently to succeed his father in the kingdom, and was willing to confirm him in it by his oath. But those freed-men and friends of his, who had the greatest authority with him, dissuaded him from it, and said that it was a dangerous experiment to permit so large a kingdom to come under the government of so very young a man, and one hardly yet arrived at years of discretion, who would not be able to take sufficient care of its administration; while the weight of a kingdom is heavy enough to a grown man. So Caesar thought what they said to be reasonable. Accordingly he sent Cuspins Fadus to be procurator of Judea, and of the entire kingdom, and paid that respect to the [d]eceased as not to introduce Marcus, who had been at variance with him, into his kingdom.” Josephus, Antiquities, XIX:9:2

“But Fadus, as soon as he was come procurator into Judea…” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:1:1

“Claudius Caesar Germanicus, tribune of the people the fifth time, and designed consul the fourth time, and imperator the tenth time, the father of his country, to the magistrates, senate, and people, and the whole nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:1:2

“3. Herod also, the brother of the deceased Agrippa, who was then possessed of the royal authority over Chalcis, petitioned Claudius Caesar for the authority over the temple, and the money of the sacred treasure, and the choice of the high priests, and obtained all that he petitioned for. So that after that time this authority continued among all his descendants till the end of the war (1) Accordingly, Herod removed the last high priest, called Cimtheras, and bestowed that dignity on his successor Joseph, the son of Cantos.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:1:3

“1. NOW it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas, (9) persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it; and many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out against them; who, falling upon them unexpectedly, slew many of them, and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, and cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem. This was what befell the Jews in the time of Cuspius Fadus's government.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:5:1

"36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought." Acts 5:36 (KJV.)

“2. Then came Tiberius Alexander as successor to Fadus… And now it was that Cumanus came as successor to Tiberius Alexander; as also that Herod, brother of Agrippa the great king, departed this life, in the eighth year of the reign of Claudius Caesar. He left behind him three sons; Aristobulus, whom he had by his first wife, with Bernicianus, and Hyrcanus, both whom he had by Bernice his brother's daughter. But Claudius Caesar bestowed his dominions on Agrippa, junior.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:5:2

“1. SO Claudius sent Felix, the brother of Pallas, to take care of the affairs of Judea; and when he had already completed the twelfth year of his reign, he bestowed upon Agrippa the tetrarchy of Philip and Batanea, and added thereto Trachonites, with Abila; which last had been the tetrarchy of Lysanias; but he took from him Chalcis, when he had been governor thereof four years.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:1

The eruption of Mt.Vesuvius:

“2. But for the marriage of Drusilla with Azizus, it was in no long time afterward dissolved upon the following occasion: While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty; and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon (13) one of his friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician, and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a happy woman. Accordingly she acted ill, and because she was desirous to avoid her sister Bernice's envy, for she was very ill treated by her on account of her beauty, was prevailed upon to transgress the laws of her forefathers, and to marry Felix; and when he had had a son by her, he named him Agrippa. But after what manner that young man, with his wife, perished at the conflagration of the mountain Vesuvius, (14) in the days of Titus Caesar, shall be related hereafter. [(15): “This is now wanting.”]” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:2

[Titus’ reign: June 24, 66 CE - September 13, 68 CE. “The eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in the first year of the reign of Titus, only a couple of months after the death of Vespasian. Pliny the Elder died as a result of that disaster… August 23-24….” (Conte.) Per The World Book Encyclopedia Vesuvius erupted “Aug. 24, A.D. 79”, thus the correct date for Vesuvius eruption is likely August 23-24, 66 CE.]

“4. For in the first year of the reign of Nero, upon the death of Azizus, king of Emesa, Soemus, his brother, succeeded in his kingdom, and Aristobulus, the son of Herod, king of Chalcis, was intrusted by Nero with the government of the Lesser Armenia. Caesar also bestowed on Agrippa a certain part of Galilee, Tiberias, and Tarichae, (18) and ordered them to submit to his jurisdiction. He gave him also Julias, a city of Perea, with fourteen villages that lay about it.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:8:4

“9. Now when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero…” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:8:9

“1. AND now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, (23) who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. (24) Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months, and made Jesus, the son of Damneus, high priest.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:9:1

“And what need I say any more upon this head? since it was this Florus who necessitated us to take up arms against the Romans, while we thought it better to be destroyed at once, than by little and little. Now this war began in the second year of the government of Florus, and the twelfth year of the reign of Nero.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:11:1

VIII. Cuspins Fadus:

The 1st regnal year of Claudius per Josephus was the civil year starting Tishri 22, 27 CE. Agrippa’s rule began not long after the death of Caesar Tiberius, who died on 4 Adar I/Adar II, 23 CE [March 16, 23 CE,] but subsequent to Tishri 22, 23 CE, and ended within the civil year beginning on Tishri 22, 30 CE, some time subsequent to the Feast of Unleavened Bread in 31 CE [between April 3 and October 28, 31 CE.] It follows from Josephus’ words, the fact that it took some time for the news to travel from Caesarea to Rome, and the fact that we don’t know the exact date of Agrippa(I)’s death, though Agrippa(I) certainly died in the latter half of Claudius’ 4^th year of reign, that Cuspins Fadus’ reign began either within the year beginning Tishri 1, 30 CE or else within the year beginning Tishri 1, 31 CE. The pertinent words of Josephus are: “…when Caesar was informed [How long a delay?] that Agrippa was dead [Exactly when?]… He was therefore disposed to send Agrippa, junior, away presently to succeed his father in the kingdom, and was willing to confirm him in it by his oath. But those freed-men and friends of his… dissuaded him from it… So Caesar thought what they said to be reasonable. Accordingly he sent [How long additional delay?] Cuspins Fadus to be procurator of Judea, and of the entire kingdom” (Josephus, Antiquities, XIX:9:2.)]

Apparently Cuspins Fadus was still the procurator in Claudius’ 6^th year of reign [which began Tishri 22, 32 CE:]

“2. Hereupon Claudius called for the ambassadors; and told them that he granted their request; and bade them to return their thanks to Agrippa for this favor, which had been bestowed on them upon his entreaty. And besides these answers of his, he sent the following letter by them: "Claudius Caesar Germanicus, tribune of the people the fifth time, and designed consul the fourth time [cf. Finegan's list at 800 AUC,] and imperator the tenth time, the father of his country, to the magistrates, senate, and people, and the whole nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting. Upon the presentation of your ambassadors to me by Agrippa, my friend, whom I have brought up, and have now with me, and who is a person of very great piety, who are come to give me thanks for the care I have taken of your nation, and to entreat me, in an earnest and obliging manner, that they may have the holy vestments, with the crown belonging to them, under their power, - I grant their request, as that excellent person Vitellius, who is very dear to me, had done before me. And I have complied with your desire, in the first place, out of regard to that piety which I profess, and because I would have every one worship God according to the laws of their own country; and this I do also because I shall hereby highly gratify king Herod, and Agrippa, junior, whose sacred regards to me, and earnest good-will to you, I am well acquainted with, and with whom I have the greatest friendship, and whom I highly esteem, and look on as persons of the best character. Now I have written about these affairs to Cuspius Fadus, my procurator. The names of those that brought me your letter are Cornelius, the son of Cero, Trypho, the son of Theudio, Dorotheus, the son of Nathaniel, and John, the son of Jotre. This letter is dated before the fourth of the calends of July, when Ruffis and Pompeius Sylvanus are consuls [cf. Finegan's list at 799 AUC.] " Josephus, Antiquities, XX:1:2

IX. Tiberius Alexander:

…references an event within the year beginning with Tishri 22, 34 CE, and that Agrippa jr succeeded Herod’s kingship (of Chalcis, cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XIX:8:3) as governor (cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:1) starting at this time, Agrippa jr being about this time in his 21^st year of life. It also follows that Cumanus succeeded Tiberius Alexander within the same year, i.e. within the year beginning with Tishri 1, 34 CE (cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:5:2 above!)

X. Cumanus:

Cumanus began his reign within the year beginning with Tishri 22, 34 CE and finished it within the year beginning with Tishri 22, 38 CE. Cf. X. Tiberius Alexander above and Felix below!

Re the end of Cumanus’ reign, please cf. the quotes from Josephus under Ummidius Quadratus’ reign above (i.e. Josephus, Antiquities XX:6:2-3,) and also the quotes from Josephus under Felix below (i.e. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:1!)

XI. Felix:

“1. SO Claudius sent Felix, the brother of Pallas, to take care of the affairs of Judea; and when he had already completed the twelfth year of his reign, he bestowed upon Agrippa the tetrarchy of Philip and Batanea, and added thereto Trachonites, with Abila; which last had been the tetrarchy of Lysanias; but he took from him Chalcis, when he had been governor thereof four years.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:1.

It follows that the above quoted events re Agrippa jr occurred within the year beginning Tishri 39 CE, and also that Felix was “sent… to take care of the affairs of Judea” within the year beginning Tishri 38 CE and before Tishri 22, 39 CE. (Cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:7:1 above!)

Josephus makes it clear that the reign of Felix was continued under the reign of Caesar Nero:

“2. Nero therefore bestowed the kingdom of the Lesser Armenia upon Aristobulus, Herod's son, (17) and he added to Agrippa's kingdom four cities, with the toparchies to them belonging; I mean Abila, and that Julias which is in Perea, Tarichea also, and Tiberias of Galilee; but over the rest of Judea he made Felix procurator.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 2:13:2.

“And as the sedition still continued, he [Felix] chose out the most eminent men on both sides as ambassadors to Nero, to argue about their several privileges.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 2:13:7.

From an in depth study of Acts, and more, it becomes clear that Felix was replaced by Festus Tishri 1, 44 CE.

XII. Festus:

“9. Now when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero…” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:8:9

“1. NOW it was that Festus succeeded Felix as procurator, and made it his business to correct those that made disturbances in the country. So he caught the greatest part of the robbers, and destroyed a great many of them. But then Albinus, who succeeded Festus, did not execute his office as the other had done; nor was there any sort of wickedness that could be named but he had a hand in it.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, II:14:1.

It follows from an in depth study of Acts, and more, including also the events as recorded by Josephus (cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:8:4-9 and, in particular, Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 2:13:2-7) that Festus succeeded Felix on Tishri 1, 44 CE.

From the little that is recorded about Festus, I find no evidence that Festus’s reign lasted very much longer than a year. Cf. Josephus, Antiquities, XX:8:9-9:1 and The Wars of the Jews, II:14:1.

XIII. Albinus:

“1. AND now Caesar, upon hearing the death of Festus, sent Albinus into Judea, as procurator. But the king deprived Joseph of the high priesthood, and bestowed the succession to that dignity on the son of Ananus, who was also himself called Ananus. Now the report goes that this eldest Ananus proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and who had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. But this younger Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, (23) who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent. (24) Whereupon Albinus complied with what they said, and wrote in anger to Ananus, and threatened that he would bring him to punishment for what he had done; on which king Agrippa took the high priesthood from him, when he had ruled but three months, and made Jesus, the son of Damneus, high priest.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:9:1

“But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before the war began, and at a time when the city was in very great peace and prosperity, came to that feast whereon it is our custom for every one to make tabernacles to God in the temple, (23) began on a sudden to cry aloud, "A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the four winds, a voice against Jerusalem and the holy house, a voice against the bridegrooms and the brides, and a voice against this whole people!" This was his cry, as he went about by day and by night, in all the lanes of the city. However, certain of the most eminent among the populace had great indignation at this dire cry of his, and took up the man, and gave him a great number of severe stripes; yet did not he either say any thing for himself, or any thing peculiar to those that chastised him, but still went on with the same words which he cried before. Hereupon our rulers, supposing, as the case proved to be, that this was a sort of divine fury in the man, brought him to the Roman procurator, where he was whipped till his bones were laid bare; yet he did not make any supplication for himself, nor shed any tears, but turning his voice to the most lamentable tone possible, at every stroke of the whip his answer was, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" And when Albinus (for he was then our procurator) asked him, Who he was? and whence he came? and why he uttered such words? he made no manner of reply to what he said, but still did not leave off his melancholy ditty, till Albinus took him to be a madman, and dismissed him. Now, during all the time that passed before the war began, this man did not go near any of the citizens, nor was seen by them while he said so; but he every day uttered these lamentable words, as if it were his premeditated vow, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!" Nor did he give ill words to any of those that beat him every day, nor good words to those that gave him food; but this was his reply to all men, and indeed no other than a melancholy presage of what was to come. This cry of his was the loudest at the festivals; and he continued this ditty for seven years and five months, without growing hoarse, or being tired therewith, until the very time that he saw his presage in earnest fulfilled in our siege, when it ceased; for as he was going round upon the wall, he cried out with his utmost force, "Woe, woe to the city again, and to the people, and to the holy house!" And just as he added at the last, "Woe, woe to myself also!" there came a stone out of one of the engines, and smote him, and killed him immediately; and as he was uttering the very same presages he gave up the ghost.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, VI:5:3.

Based upon Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, VI:5:3, quoted above, one may conclude that Albinus was in Jerusalem in the middle of Tishri 46 CE and thus he replaced Festus when the latter died some time within the civil years beginning Tishri 1, 44 CE and 45 CE.

“And what need I say any more upon this head? since it was this Florus who necessitated us to take up arms against the Romans, while we thought it better to be destroyed at once, than by little and little. Now this war began in the second year of the government of Florus, and the twelfth year of the reign of Nero.” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:11:1

It may appear as though it would follow from the above quote that the last year of Albinus and the accession year of Florus is the same year as Nero’s tenth year, i.e. the year starting Tishri 1, 48 CE. However, I have shown elsewhere that in this particular quote Josephus is not using civil years, but is instead using sacred years. Accordingly, all I can conclude is that the last sacred year of Albinus and the accession sacred year of Florus is the same as the sacred year beginning Aviv 1, 49 CE. Cf. also under Gessius Florus below.

XIV. Gessius Florus:

The last year of Albinus and the accession year of Florus is the same year as Nero’s tenth year, i.e. the year starting Tishri 1, 48 CE. Cf. XIV. Albinus: above!

“5. But when Albinus heard that Gessius Florus was coming to succeed him, he was desirous to appear to do somewhat that might be grateful to the people of Jerusalem; so he brought out all those prisoners who seemed to him to be most plainly worthy of death, and ordered them to be put to death accordingly. But as to those who had been put into prison on some trifling occasions, he took money of them, and dismissed them; by which means the prisons were indeed emptied, but the country was filled with robbers. ” Josephus, Antiquities, XX:9:5.

“Now this war began in the second year of the government of Florus, and the twelfth year of the reign of Nero.” Josephus, Antiquties, XX:11:1 (20.257.)

Notice: If “…this war began in the second year of the government of Florus, and the twelfth year of the reign of Nero,” then, according to the within deductions, Josephus is using a sacred year calendar for this particular statement. Accordingly, if this same sacred year starts with Aviv 1, 51 CE, then the 1^st sacred year of the reign of “the government of Florus” must start with Aviv 1, 50 CE, and Florus’ accession should be found within the sacred year beginning Aviv 1, 49 CE.]

Because Josephus is not saying anything in the above quote about whether or not this same point in time, i.e. when “this war began,” is also Florus’ 2^nd civil year of reign, I cannot tell which it is. It could be Florus’ 1^st civil year of reign, just as it is necessarily Nero’s 11^th year of reign.

XV. Noarus:

“6. There was also a plot laid against the Jews in Agrippa's kingdom; for he was himself gone to Cestius Gallus, to Antioch, but had left one of his companions, whose name was Noarus, to take care of the public affairs; which Noarus was of kin to king Sohemus. (26) Now there came certain men seventy in number, out of Batanea, who were the most considerable for their families and prudence of the rest of the people; these desired to have an army put into their hands, that if any tumult should happen, they might have about them a guard sufficient to restrain such as might rise up against them. This Noarus sent out some of the king's armed men by night, and slew all those [seventy] men; which bold action he ventured upon without the consent of Agrippa, and was such a lover of money, that he chose to be so wicked to his own countrymen, though he brought ruin on the kingdom thereby; and thus cruelly did he treat that nation, and this contrary to the laws also, until Agrippa was informed of it, who did not indeed dare to put him to death, out of regard to Sohemus; but still he put an end to his procuratorship immediately. But as to the seditious, they took the citadel which was called Cypros, and was above Jericho, and cut the throats of the garrison, and utterly demolished the fortifications. This was about the same time that the multitude of the Jews that were at Machorus persuaded the Romans who were in garrison to leave the place, and deliver it up to them. These Romans being in great fear, lest the place should be taken by force, made an agreement with them to depart upon certain conditions; and when they had obtained the security they desired, they delivered up the citadel, into which the people of Macherus put a garrison for their own security, and held it in their own power.” Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, II:18:6.

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