Galatians 2:1 – After the lapse of fourteen years.

Thereupon after the lapse of fourteen years, I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas taking Titus also along with me.

In the chronology of the New Testament, this statement by Paul plays an important role. The “fourteen years” here (as in 1:18) are to be reckoned from Saul’s call. Since his visit to Jerusalem (1:18) should not be overestimated (1:18), it is not obvious to calculate the “fourteen years” from there.

The meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem referred to in this section (2:1-10) is the same as that described in Acts 15, directly prompted by Paul’s (and Barnabas’) preaching among the nations. Thus, between Saul’s call and the meeting in Acts 15, there are about fourteen years. It is fairly undisputed that this meeting took place around 48 AD (because of Acts 18:2), so that it follows that Paul’s calling took place around 34 AD (=48-14). That’s about four years after Christ’s death and resurrection in AD 30.

For those who have trouble with numbers, chronology will not be a favorite activity. That is fine, but for an understanding of (also) Biblical history, chronology is indispensable. A timeline is like the backbone of history: only with a timeline can we place events and see them in context.

Delen: