Acts Chapter 18 Star Chart: Paul's confrontation before Gallio happened in the summer of 51 A.D. After a short period of time Paul returned to Antioch, in the fall of 51 A.D. After allowing winter to pass, Paul started his 3rd Missionary Journey (Acts 18-21) in spring of 52 A.D. Paul's journey brought him to Ephesus where he stayed for 2 years and 3 months. This brings us to summer of 54 A.D. Paul then passed through Macedonia in the fall and arrived in Greece where he spent 3 months (Acts 20:3). This would have been mid-winter A.D. 54/55. Returning through Macedonia during the spring (Acts 20:3), he sailed from Phillipi shortly after April (Acts 20:6). He arrived in Jerusalem in May/June A.D. 55, prior to Pentecost. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem in the summer of A.D. 55 and taken to Caesarea where he was confined for 2 years (Acts 24:27). This brings us to summer of A.D. 57. At that point, Paul left by ship for Rome (Acts 27:1-2). Luke says it was very slow going (Acts 27:7). They arrived eventually at Fair Havens on Crete, where they stayed until after the "fast" (i.e. Yom Kippur on 10 Tishri) was past. This would have been after Sept., of that year -- A.D. 57. They then set sail and were shipwrecked at Malta 14 days later, which would be in late October (Acts 27:27; 18:1). They stayed for 3 months (A.D. 57/58, Acts 28:11). In Feb. of A.D. 58, they set sail for Rome and arrived at Rome in the spring of 58 A.D. Paul remained in custody for 2 more years (Acts 28:30) which brings us up to 60 A.D. Paul was apparently freed shortly after this time as he predicted in Phil. 1:25. References to this time in 1 Clement 5 and the Muratorian Fragment make it probable that he visited Spain. This is also the most likely time for the writing of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (as well as Hebrews if, indeed he wrote that book). He then returned to Rome, where he was martyred in the summer of 64 A.D., in connection with the persecution instituted by Nero (2 Tim. 4:6). |
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Paul Was A Prayer-Shawl Maker
18:1 After these things Paul (Orion) departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila (Pollux), born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (Castor); (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
"Claudius banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus." (Suet. Claud. 25)
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers (tallit-makers).
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5 And when (Orion) Silas and (Auriga) Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul (Argo) was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the (Gemini) Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your (red radius) blood be upon your own (Gemini, Auriga and Orion) heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's (red radius) house, named (Auriga) Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his (Virgo and Coma) house; and many of the (Gemini and Orion and Auriga) Corinthians hearing believed, and were (Eridanus) baptized.
9 Then spake the (Shekinah Glory) Lord to (Argo) Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but (red radius) speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the (Gemini) Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
Summer of 51 AD Gallio was deputy of Achaia. From this date we count both forward and backward to build chronology of Acts.
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio (Orion) said unto the (Gemini) Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye (Gemini) Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, (lunar eyeballs) look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the (Gemini) Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and (red radius scourge) beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the (Eridanus) baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak (red radius) boldly in the synagogue: whom when (Gemini) Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the (Gemini) Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ (Old Testament prophecies and types).