What years did Paul visit Jerusalem?

Dating Paul’s First Three Visits to Jerusalem

Abstract:

As part of, and building upon, an analytical study aiming to date Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem, this study detail brings forth the exact years for Paul’s first three visits to Jerusalem, which years are found to be the civil years ending at the beginning of Tishri 1, 30 CE, 40 CE, and 41 CE, respectively.

Considerations:

What years did Paul visit Jerusalem?

What years did Paul visit Jerusalem the 1^st and 2^nd times (Galatians 1:17-2:1)?

Notice that in his epistle to Galatians Paul is specifying only two visits to Jerusalem (Gal 1:17-2:1.) Two visits since when? Clearly, Paul had been in Jerusalem many times while he was yet persecuting the Christians (Acts 26:10.) In addition Paul explicitly told king Agrippa that following his conversion on the road to Damascus he “shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:19-20.) This last referenced visit of Paul to Jerusalem is further outlined in Acts 9:25-30. On the other hand, the 1^st visit referenced in Galatians took place three years after Paul’s conversion and the 2^nd was in the 14^th year.

Can the years of Paul’s visits to Jerusalem, the two visits referenced in Galatians, be exactly identified?

Notice the inclusive fourteen year time span referenced in Galatians 2:1

vs. the exclusive three year time span referenced in Galatians 1:18:

Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Gal 1:16 TLT+ To reveal⁶⁰¹ his⁸⁴⁸ Son⁵²⁰⁷ in¹⁷²² me,¹⁶⁹⁸ that²⁴⁴³ I might preach²⁰⁹⁷ him⁸⁴⁶ among¹⁷²² the³⁵⁸⁸ heathen¹⁴⁸⁴ directly.²¹¹² I conferred⁴³²³ not³⁷⁵⁶ with flesh⁴⁵⁶¹ and²⁵³² blood:¹²⁹

Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Gal 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Gal 2:1 (KJV)

Then¹⁸⁹⁹ fourteen¹¹⁸⁰ years²⁰⁹⁴ after¹²²³ I went up³⁰⁵ again³⁸²⁵ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem²⁴¹⁴ with³³²⁶ Barnabas,⁹²¹ and took Titus with^4838,
5103 me also.²⁵³²

Or more correctly – compare the word “after” above vs. the word “within” below:

Gal 2:1 (TLT+)

Then¹⁸⁹⁹ within¹²²³ fourteen¹¹⁸⁰ years²⁰⁹⁴ I went up³⁰⁵ again³⁸²⁵ to¹⁵¹⁹ Jerusalem²⁴¹⁴ with³³²⁶ Barnabas,⁹²¹ and took Titus with^{4838, 5103} me also.²⁵³²

Compare the corresponding Greek words in red font:

Gal 2:1 (Textus Receptus+)

επειτα¹⁸⁹⁹^ADV δια¹²²³^PREP δεκατεσσαρων¹¹⁸⁰^A-GPN ετων²⁰⁹⁴^N-GPN παλιν³⁸²⁵^ADV ανεβην³⁰⁵^V-2AAI-1S εις¹⁵¹⁹^PREP ιεροσολυμα²⁴¹⁴^N-ASF μετα³³²⁶^PREP βαρναβα⁹²¹^N-GSM συμπαραλαβων⁴⁸³⁸^V-2AAP-NSM και²⁵³²^CONJ τιτον⁵¹⁰³^N-ASM

Gal 1:18 επειτα¹⁸⁹⁹^ADV μετα³³²⁶^PREP ετη²⁰⁹⁴^N-APN τρια⁵¹⁴⁰^A-APN ανηλθον⁴²⁴^V-2AAI-1S εις¹⁵¹⁹^PREP ιεροσολυμα²⁴¹⁴^N-ASF ιστορησαι²⁴⁷⁷^V-AAN πετρον⁴⁰⁷⁴^N-ASM και²⁵³²^CONJ επεμεινα¹⁹⁶¹^V-AAI-1S προς⁴³¹⁴^PREP αυτον⁸⁴⁶^P-ASM ημερας²²⁵⁰^N-APF δεκαπεντε¹¹⁷⁸^A-NUI

The word translated “years²⁰⁹⁴” in Gal 2:1 (Gr. “ετων”) is written in genitive plural format, indicating “time within which,” (Jay, Eric G., New Testament Greek, p. 141.)

The Greek word “δια¹²²³^PREP” means (Strong’s G1223:) “A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import.”

This Greek word may well correspond to the Hebrew preposition “-ב,” which means “within.”

Paul’s four visits to Jerusalem:

After recognizing that Paul’s 2^nd Jerusalem visit took place within the 14 year time span following an event at the beginning of those 14 years, let’s now go back to see what specifics we may learn about Paul’s four visits to Jerusalem:

After his conversion and his visit with the brethren in Jerusalem (per Acts 9:26-30,)

1. Paul’s 1^st recorded visit to Jerusalem is found in Acts 11:28-30 and Acts 12:25;

2. Paul’s 2^nd Jerusalem visit is recorded in Acts 15:1-30;

3. Paul’s 3^rd Jerusalem visit is recorded in Acts 18:21-22; and

4. Paul’s 4^th Jerusalem visit is recorded in Acts 20:16-23:31.

Re Saul’s visit to Jerusalem immediately following his conversion on the road to Damascus:

Paul states (Gal. 1:18-19) that he saw only Peter and James at his first visit to Jerusalem:

“But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.” (Gal. 1:17-19.)

However, in Acts 9:27 we read:

“But Barnabas took him [Paul,] and brought him [Paul] to the apostles, and declared unto them how he [Paul] had seen the Lord in the way, and that he [the Lord] had spoken to him [Paul,] and how he [Paul] had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he [Paul] was with them [the apostles] coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”

It is true that Peter and James were two of the apostles and thus, technically, the plural format, “apostles,” as used in Acts 9:27, meets the grammatical requirement as long as Paul met with more than one apostle (at the visit referenced in Gal. 1:19.) Nonetheless, considering Paul’s explicit statement [in Gal. 1:19, “other of the apostles saw I none, save James…,” and the context found in Acts 11:28-30, Acts 12:25, and Acts 15:1-30] it is clear that Saul’s visit to Jerusalem recorded in Acts 9:26-30 is not specifically referenced by Paul in his letter to the Galatians.

Paul’s 1^st Jerusalem visit (Acts 11:28-30 and Acts 12:25:)

Acts 11:28 And¹¹⁶¹ there stood up⁴⁵⁰ one¹⁵²⁰ of¹⁵³⁷ them⁸⁴⁶ named³⁶⁸⁶, Agabus¹³ and signified⁴⁵⁹¹ by¹²²³ the³⁵⁸⁸ spirit⁴¹⁵¹ that there should³¹⁹⁵ be¹⁵¹⁰ great³¹⁷³ dearth³⁰⁴² throughout¹⁹⁰⁹ all³⁶⁵⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸ world:³⁶²⁵ which^{3748 (2532)} came to pass¹⁰⁹⁶ in the days of¹⁹⁰⁹ Claudius²⁸⁰⁴ Caesar.²⁵⁴¹

Acts 11:29 Then¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ disciples,³¹⁰¹ every man¹⁵³⁸ according to²⁵³¹ his ability,^5100,
2141 determined³⁷²⁴ to send³⁹⁹² relief^{1519, 1248} unto the³⁵⁸⁸ brethren⁸⁰ which dwelt²⁷³⁰ in¹⁷²² Judea:²⁴⁴⁹

Acts 11:30 Which³⁷³⁹ also²⁵³² they did,⁴¹⁶⁰ and sent⁶⁴⁹ it to⁴³¹⁴ the³⁵⁸⁸ elders⁴²⁴⁵ by¹²²³ the hands⁵⁴⁹⁵ of Barnabas⁹²¹ and²⁵³² Saul.⁴⁵⁶⁹

Act 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Acts 12:21 And¹¹⁶¹ upon a set⁵⁰⁰² day²²⁵⁰ Herod,²²⁶⁴ arrayed¹⁷⁴⁶ in royal⁹³⁷ apparel,^2066
(2532) sat²⁵²³ upon¹⁹⁰⁹ his throne,⁹⁶⁸ and made an oration¹²¹⁵ unto⁴³¹⁴ them.⁸⁴⁶

Acts 12:22 And¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ people¹²¹⁸ gave a shout,²⁰¹⁹ saying, It is the voice⁵⁴⁵⁶ of a god,²³¹⁶ and²⁵³² not³⁷⁵⁶ of a man.⁴⁴⁴

Acts 12:23 And¹¹⁶¹ immediately³⁹¹⁶ the angel³² of the Lord²⁹⁶² smote³⁹⁶⁰ him,⁸⁴⁶ because^{473, 3739} he gave¹³²⁵ not³⁷⁵⁶ God²³¹⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ glory:¹³⁹¹ and²⁵³² he was¹⁰⁹⁶ eaten of worms,⁴⁶⁶² and gave up the ghost.¹⁶³⁴

Acts 12:24 But¹¹⁶¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God²³¹⁶ grew⁸³⁷ and²⁵³² multiplied.⁴¹²⁹

Acts 12:25 And¹¹⁶¹ Barnabas⁹²¹ and²⁵³² Saul⁴⁵⁶⁹ returned⁵²⁹⁰ from¹⁵³⁷ Jerusalem,²⁴¹⁹ when they had fulfilled⁴¹³⁷ their ministry,¹²⁴⁸ and²⁵³² took with⁴⁸³⁸ them John,²⁴⁹¹ whose surname was¹⁹⁴¹ Mark.³¹³⁸

In these last text passages out of Acts there are four datable events referenced which are apparently associated with Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion:

1. The “great dearth” and

2. the reign of Claudius Caesar, both of which were apparently events still in the future at the time of Agabus’ prophecy (Acts 11:28,) which prophecy was fulfilled by the time Paul was sent to Judea for a relief mission (Acts 11:29-30.)

3. “Then were the days of unleavened bread” (Acts 12:3)

4. Preceding the return of Paul from his first visit to Jerusalem (Acts 12:25) Herod died (Acts 12:21-23.)

The Herod of Acts 12, i.e. Agrippa (I,) died within the year starting Tishri 1, 29 CE. Clearly, the “great dearth,” and thus also Paul’s relief mission, occurred during the reign of Claudius Caesar. Thus I find it reasonable to conclude that Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem took place between Tishri 1, 29 CE and the beginning of Tishri 1, 30 CE. The statement “Then were the days of unleavened bread” allows us to further conclude that Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem was concluded between Aviv 21, 30 CE and the beginning of Tishri 1, 30 CE.

Paul’s 2^nd Jerusalem visit (Acts 15:1-30:)

In order to confirm that indeed Acts 15:1-30 is correctly identified as the record of Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem, let’s consider Paul’s statements regarding the ones traveling with him to Jerusalem. As noted above, per Galatians 2:1, 3, Paul brought Barnabas and Titus along when visiting Jerusalem the 2^nd time. As noted in Acts 15:2, 12, 22, & 25, Paul and Barnabas visited Jerusalem together on the visit recorded in Acts 15. In contradistinction, though others are named as co-travelers with Paul on his later visits to Jerusalem, neither Barnabas nor Titus is named among them (cf. Acts 18:18-22 and Acts 20:3-5.) Furthermore, Acts 15:36-41 makes it clear that Barnabas and Paul parted ways following their 2^nd visit to Jerusalem. Thus, I believe we have sufficient evidence to conclude that we have correctly correlated the events recorded in Acts 15 and Galatians 2:1, respectively.

Next, given that we now know the exact year of Paul’s 1^st visit to Jerusalem we may also derive the exact year for Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem. The first question though is: What is the beginning of the 14 year count? Is it beginning at the same beginning as the 3 year count, or is it beginning after the year of the relief mission and Paul’s 1^st visit to Jerusalem? Considering how extent of time is consistently counted in the Scriptures, if we attempt first to place the beginning of the 14 year period at the end of the year of the relief mission, i.e. at Tishri 1, 30 CE, the 14^th year must begin at Tishri 1, 44 CE. But if Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem is placed in the civil year beginning Tishri 1, 44 and lasting until Tishri 1, 45 CE, then, considering all the interim events recorded between the 2^nd visit and the Pentecost visit of our focus, the Pentecost visit of our focus must be placed no earlier than the civil year beginning Tishri 1, 45 CE, and even that is pushing it. But we have already determined that the Pentecost we are looking for cannot be placed beyond Tishri 1, 44 CE, accordingly it is impossible to begin the 14 year count at the end of Paul’s 1^st visit to Jerusalem.

Consequently, the beginning point for the 14 years is the same as the beginning point of the 1^st visit to Jerusalem, whatever this may be (whether Paul’s conversion, the beginning of Claudius’ reign, and/or some other event.) But the three years preceding Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem are the years beginning with Tishri 1, in 26, 27, and 28 CE, respectively. Accordingly, the 14^th year referenced in Galatians 2:1 began Tishri 1, 39 and ended at the beginning of Tishri 1, 40 CE, and thus Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem took place in the civil year beginning Tishri 1, 39 CE. I do not believe it is possible to fit each of Paul’s three trips, his 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th, to Jerusalem into one civil year, e.g. between Tishri 1, 39 CE and Tishri 1, 40 CE (cf. the three trips referenced in Acts 15:1-30, Acts 18:18-22, and Acts 20:4-23:24.) But that brings our lower boundary for Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem up to Tishri 1, 41 CE at the very least.

At what time of the year did Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem take place?:

Based on the words in Acts 16:3 “on the Sabbath,” which in the Greek actually means “the Day of the Sabbaths” or “Feast of Weeks” I conclude that Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem preceded Pentecost 40 CE by at least several weeks. After much studying of the contextual events as recorded in Acts and the epistles I have found that a reasonable translation of Acts 18:11 is probably:

Act 18:11 TLT+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he paused upon the announcement of²⁵²³ the First Year [of Nero’s reign;]¹⁷⁶³ and²⁵³² six¹⁸⁰³ months [had he at that time been]³³⁷⁶ teaching¹³²¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God²³¹⁶ among¹⁷²² them [the gentiles.]⁸⁴⁶

This rendition seems to imply that Paul started this round of teaching a little more than six full lunar months before Elul 1, 40 CE. Considering that the prior year more than likely had an Adar II, this brings us to somewhere in Adar I for the beginning of Paul’s teaching among the gentiles as recorded in Acts 15:40-41. Adding a little more time, as indicated in Acts 15:33, 36, I find accordingly that Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem preceded the 13^th Month, Adar II, 40 CE [beginning at sunset April 1, 40 CE,] and thus that it most likely did take place at the time of the Day of At-One-Ment, and/or at the Feast of Tabernacles, 39 CE, or perhaps even at the time for the Feast of Dedication on the 25^th Day of the 10^th Month, Kislev.

Paul’s 3^rd Jerusalem visit (Acts 18:21-22:)

I have found that the Greek words in Textus Receptus, which are translated in KJV “a year” (Acts 18:11,) “two years” (Acts 19:10,) and “three years” (Acts 20:31,) are more correctly translated in terms of Caesar Nero’s “first,” “second,” and “third” civil years of reign, respectively, counting the beginning of each civil year from Tishri 1.

Said Textus Receptus references to Nero’s civil years of reign are being confirmed by a study of Paul’s epistles, most especially his epistles to the Corinthians and to Titus. From that study it may be determined that Paul spent the winter beginning 1 ½ years prior to the events referenced in Acts 20:6-7 in Nicopolis, Macedonia (cf. Titus 3:12 and 1 Cor. 16:6,) and that Paul subsequently visited Corinth beginning in Sivan, the 3^rd month (Acts 20:2-3.) Paul’s visit in Corinth during the summer lasted through three full lunar months (Tammuz, Av, and Elul (cf. Acts 20:3,)) before Paul again returned through Macedonia where he spent the second winter before returning to Troas in Asia (cf. Acts 20:3, 6.)

Accordingly it is clear to me that the time period (Acts 20:31) referenced by Paul in his farewell speech to the Ephesians, i.e. “by the space of three years” (KJV) or more correctly “[Nero’s] 3^rd [civil] year [of reign,]” was concluded a minimum of 1 ½ year prior to Paul’s speech to the Ephesians and Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem.

Considering that Paul spent better than one full civil year with the Ephesians (cf. Acts 19:10 and Acts 20:31) prior to his first winter in Macedonia at Nicopolis, it follows that Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem took place no later than at the beginning of the civil year beginning 2 ½ years prior to Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem at Pentecost. But, notice, because Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem took place in the civil year beginning Tishri 1, 39 CE and ending Tishri 1, 40 CE, Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem could not possibly have taken place prior to the spring of 40 CE. Furthermore, Paul stayed in Philippi during a Feast of Weeks[1] i.e. during Sivan, of a year subsequent to Paul’s 2^nd visit to Jerusalem (Acts 16:13,) and prior to Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem. Accordingly, Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem could not possibly have taken place prior to the fall of 40 CE, at the very earliest.

Adding 2 ½ years to the fall of 40 CE brings us to the spring of 43 CE. However, we have not as yet taken into account all the events recorded in Acts 16:14 through 18:20. All these events needs time, and according to the record, must be placed subsequent to said Feast of Weeks, which Feast of Weeks cannot be placed earlier than 40 CE, at the very earliest.

The question is:

Is it, or is it not, possible to place all the events recorded in Acts 16:14 through 18:20 in the very brief time period between early summer 40 CE and fall 40 CE?

According to Acts 18:10, Paul spent “six months” (KJV) or at least “the sixth month” prior to his 3^rd visit to Jerusalem in Corinth. If the KJV translation is the correct one, then the answer to our question is a definite: No! If, on the other hand, the true rendition of Acts 18:10 were to be “the Sixth Month” or “Month Six,” then there would still be a little time left between the Third Month of said Feast of Weeks and said Sixth Month.

Is it possible to place all the events recorded in Acts 16:14 through 18:20 in the very brief time period from Sivan 40 CE through Elul 40 CE, from the Third Month through the Sixth Month of 40 CE?

Within Acts 16:14 through 18:10 are recorded events that occurred in Philippi (Acts 16:13-40,) Amphipolis, Appolonia, Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10,) Berea (Acts 17:10-14,) Athens (Acts 17:15-18:1,) and Corinth (Acts 18:1-10.) It may seem unlikely that all that could possibly fit into such a brief time period, does it not? To me it does, at least initially. In actual fact the Greek word, “μηνας³³⁷⁶,” in Textus Receptus translated “months,” i.e. “six months” (Acts 18:10 (KJV,)) is in the acc. pl. format, indicating not only plural, but the accusative format also indicating extent of time. Accordingly one is hard put to defend a translation referencing “the Sixth Month” as above hypothetically suggested.

Consequently, our support for answering the above questions in the negative seems doubly supported, i.e. both by the recorded events and by the grammatical format used for translating the Greek words, “μηνας³³⁷⁶ εξ¹⁸⁰³ διδασκων¹³²¹” into words designating an extent of time six months long and referencing the extent of time Paul was “teaching the word of God among them.” Thus, if the word “them” is giving reference only to those who were in Corinth and/or in Achaia[2] (Acts 18:10-11 (KJV,)) Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem could not possibly have taken place prior to the spring of 41 CE, but is that necessarily so?

May we be more definite about the timing of Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem?:

Claudius died on Zif 21 or Sivan 21, 40 CE [May 21 or else June 20 or 21, 40 CE.] But Caesar Claudius is referenced in Acts 18:2:

Act 18:2 KJV+ And²⁵³² found²¹⁴⁷ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ Jew²⁴⁵³ named³⁶⁸⁶ Aquila,²⁰⁷ born¹⁰⁸⁵ in Pontus,⁴¹⁹³ lately⁴³⁷³ come²⁰⁶⁴ from⁵⁷⁵ Italy,²⁴⁸² with²⁵³² his⁸⁴⁸ wife¹¹³⁵ Priscilla; because that⁴²⁵² (Claudius²⁸⁰⁴ had commanded¹²⁹⁹ all³⁹⁵⁶ Jews²⁴⁵³ to depart⁵⁵⁶³ from¹⁵³⁷ Rome:)⁴⁵¹⁶ and came⁴³³⁴ unto them.⁸⁴⁶

The word translated “lately” is more accurately translated “recently,” thusly:

Act 18:2 TLT+ And²⁵³² found²¹⁴⁷ a certain⁵¹⁰⁰ Jew²⁴⁵³ named³⁶⁸⁶ Aquila,²⁰⁷ born¹⁰⁸⁵ in Pontus,⁴¹⁹³ recently⁴³⁷³ come²⁰⁶⁴ from⁵⁷⁵ Italy,²⁴⁸² with²⁵³² his⁸⁴⁸ wife¹¹³⁵ Priscilla; because that⁴²⁵² (Claudius²⁸⁰⁴ had commanded¹²⁹⁹ all³⁹⁵⁶ Jews²⁴⁵³ to depart⁵⁵⁶³ from¹⁵³⁷ Rome:)⁴⁵¹⁶ and came⁴³³⁴ unto them.⁸⁴⁶

Accordingly, at first sight it may seem that “Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth” (Acts 18:1) no later than Sivan, the Third Month, 40 CE, i.e. while Claudius was still officially the de facto Emperor of Rome. However, a close study of the historians Josephus, Suetonius, and Tacitus, makes it clear that Claudius’ death was concealed until October 13, 40 CE:

A study of Josephus and Tacitus makes it clear that Agrippina’s son Domitius [Nero] was appointed the successor of Claudius while Claudius was still alive. Subsequent to the appointment of Domitius [Nero,] who was at that time given Claudius’ daughter Octavia for his wife while being also adopted as Claudius’ son and given the name Nero, Claudius was poisoned by Nero’s mother Agrippina who was at this time Claudius’ wife. (Cf. Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XX:8:1-2.) It is evident that the death of Claudius was concealed for some time in order to satisfy some superstitious requirements perceived by Claudius’ murderess, i.e. “that the fortunate moment foretold by the astrologers might arrive.” (Cf. Tacitus, The Annals, Book XII:66-69. (The quote is found at the end of verse 68.)) Evidently this is the reason that Tacitus and Suetonius both seem to suggest that Claudius died October 13.

Because the death of Claudius was not made public until October 13, 40 CE [Tishri 17, 40 CE,] it would seem as though Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul would have still been recognizing Claudius as the Emperor of Rome throughout Claudius’ 14^th civil year of reign, which civil year was concurrent with Nero’s 1^st year of reign. Accordingly, if Nero’s de facto reign did not begin until noon Tishri 17, 40 CE, i.e. 17 days into his, Nero’s, 2^nd civil year of reign, then the author of Acts would never have had reason to reference Nero’s 1^st year of reign at all, i.e. unless consideration was being given retroactively to the fact that Claudius did die no later than Sivan 40 CE. Nero’s de jure reign began when, sometime in his accession year (the year beginning Tishri 1, 38 CE,) he was appointed the successor of Caesar Claudius.

However, there is another solution: If the calendar used by the author of Acts for that year began late (May 2 rather than April 2, 40 CE,) then October 13, 40 CE would fall in the Sixth Month, which is the last month of the Biblical and the Hebrew year. If that is true, then it only makes sense for Luke, the author of Acts, to make a mark in time indicating the beginning of the new era under Caesar Nero as done in Acts 18:11: “a year and six months…” or more correctly “the First Year [of Nero’s reign…] for six months teaching….”

Act 18:11 GNT-TR+ εκαθισεν²⁵²³ τε⁵⁰³⁷ ενιαυτον¹⁷⁶³ και²⁵³² μηνας³³⁷⁶ εξ¹⁸⁰³ διδασκων¹³²¹ εν¹⁷²² αυτοις⁸⁴⁶ τον³⁵⁸⁸ λογον³⁰⁵⁶ του³⁵⁸⁸ θεου²³¹⁶

Act 18:11 KJV+ And⁵⁰³⁷ he continued²⁵²³ there a year¹⁷⁶³ and²⁵³² six¹⁸⁰³ months,³³⁷⁶ teaching¹³²¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ word³⁰⁵⁶ of God²³¹⁶ among¹⁷²² them.⁸⁴⁶

The Greek word, “ἐνιαυτόν¹⁷⁶³,” used in Textus Receptus for “a year” (Acts 18:11) is used in the New Testament for the first time in Luke 4:19. In the Holy Scriptures the first usage of any word is typically defined by such first usages in the Scriptures:

Luk 4:19 To preach²⁷⁸⁴ the acceptable¹¹⁸⁴ year¹⁷⁶³ of the Lord.²⁹⁶²

This same Greek word is never used in the NT together with a number designating anything beyond one, or the first, year. Accordingly, it only makes sense that this Greek word, corresponding to the KJV words “a year,” i.e. as found in Acts 18:11, references Nero’s 1^st civil year of reign.

Accordingly, I find that the “six months” (Acts 18:11) [within Nero’s 1^st year of reign] are more than likely referencing, not only the time Paul spent among the people in Philippi, Amphipolis, Appolonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Achaia (Acts 16:12-18:11,) but the time covering all of the events subsequent to, and perhaps even including, the 2^nd meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15:3-18:11.) After having also considered that it is impossible to fit all the events in Acts 18:11 through Acts 19:10 into the 2^nd year of Nero’s reign if the “six months” of Acts 18:11 are to occupy the first half of that year, I conclude that this conclusion is most likely the correct solution. I.e. if Acts 19:10 is referencing Nero’s 2^nd year, and if Acts 19:8 is referencing the Third Month, then it is impossible for Paul first 1) to have sailed to Jerusalem for Passover (Acts 18:21) [which is an unlikely sailing season] following the end of the “six months” of Acts 18:11, then 2) to have “spent some time there [in Antioch]” (Acts 18:23,) and then 3) to have traveled “over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples” (Acts 18:23,) while 3) also arriving in Ephesus where Paul “spake boldly in Month Three” (Acts 19:8.)

Conclusion:

I find that Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem was intended for the Day of At-One-Ment, Tishri 10, [November 4 or 5] and/or for the Feast of Tabernacles, Tishri 15-22, 40 CE, [November 9-16 or 10-17, 40 CE,] but that he probably arrived late considering the very brief account of his visit: “Gone up, and saluted the church” (Acts 18:22.) In fact Paul’s urgency as reflected in Acts 18:21, “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem…” may well have been prompted by the announcement of the death of Caesar Claudius, which was published in Rome on October 13, 40 CE [Elul 17, 40 CE] and of Nero as the new Emperor in Rome.

Paul’s 4^th Jerusalem visit (Acts 20:16-23:31:)

Considering the above said re Paul’s 3^rd visit to Jerusalem in the spring of 41 CE, and including also the 2 ½ years, at the minimum, between Paul’s 3^rd and 4^th visit to Jerusalem, it becomes obvious that Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem could not have occurred in 43 CE, but did in fact occur in 44 CE.

Accordingly Paul’s 4^th visit to Jerusalem is confirmed as having occurred in 44 CE, which was, as I have shown elsewhere, Nero’s 5^th civil year of reign. Also my above claim may be considered confirmed, i.e. “that the Greek words in Textus Receptus, which are translated in KJV “a year” (Acts 18:11,) “two years” (Acts 19:10,) and “three years” (Acts 20:31,) are more correctly translated in terms of Caesar Nero’s “first,” “second,” and “third” civil years of reign, respectively.”

For an overview of all these data and more please review the Table entitled:

“The Timing of Paul's Visits to Jerusalem vs. the Years of the Roman Emperors and the Roman Procurators to Judea

(Including also the Years Permitting the Constellation of Events Identified by Textus Receptus, Acts 20:6-7 (and Acts 20:13-21:4)”

THE END OF THIS STUDY DETAIL

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[1] Although KJV uses the translation “the sabbath,” the Textus Receptus text literally translated is “the Day of the Sabbaths,” or, as more familiarly rendered, “the Feast of Weeks.”

[2] The city of Corinth is located on the island or peninsula named Achaia not far from the isthmus connecting Achaia to the mainland.