NTChrono7

DATE

ROME

JUDEA

NEW TESTAMENT

The crudeness, cruelty and profligacy of Nero is seen in his practice of donning a disguise and roaming the streets of Rome at night with friends, visiting brothels, robbing shops and passersby, stripping those they encounter, practicing lewdness on many and murdering others, all for sport. Octavia bears such wickedness of her husband with silent, modest chastity. She is a fitting comparison to her ancestor and namesake, Octavia, sister of Augustus, who also bore the indignities of her husband, Mark Antony, with the same loyalty and patience..

Nero, has become infatuated with Poppaea, the wife of Salvius Otho, later to become emperor himself for three months. Appointing Otho to govern Lusitania (Portugal), Nero sets out to woo Poppaea. Poppaea agrees to become Nero's wife, but not his mistress, and for that Nero must divorce Octavia. Agrippina,attempting to remain the power behind the throne, is opposed to Poppaea's plan for Nero to divorce Octavia so he can marry Poppaea. Using every wile and trickery, Poppaea easily convinces the infatuated Nero that his mother is trying to bring his downfall and take control. Nero tries several ways to kill his mother, and finally sets a band of men to do the job at her villa. Agrippina, hacked to death at 44 years of age, is repaid for her years of treachery by her 22 year old son. To cover up the murder of his mother, Nero forces Seneca to write a letter to the Senate explaining that Agrippina, realizing she had been discovered in a plot, has killed herself.

Porcius Festus replaces Felix as Governor of Judea. Festus was a more capable and prudent politician, having the full support of the Roman government. He was able to take speedy action, and kept the Jews in check. Festus died in 62, allowing a new surge of patriotism and violence among the Jews.

While wintering at Corinth (in the home of Gaius, (Romans 16:23; I Corinthians 1:14), January or February of 58, Paul writes Romans. The contri- bution is ready to go to Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-26). He leaves Corinth no later than March. He travels through Macedonia again to Philippi, Acts 20:3-6. He leaves Philippi right after Passover, probably mid-April and reaches Jerusalem near the time he wants to be there, by Pentecost, the last of May (Acts 20:16). Perhaps, Matthew writes his life of Christ in this year, also. Paul is in Jerusalem only seven days when he is mobbed by the Jews, Acts 21:27ff. Being arrested, he appears before the Sanhedrin, Acts 23. He is then sent to Caesarea the first part of June of 58, to appear before Felix (Acts 23:2634). Five days later, after his accusers have arrived from Jerusalem, he makes his defense before the Roman Governor, Acts24. He stays in prison at Caesarea for two years.

Matthew is written somewhere between 55-63, Mark in 60-61. James is written between 60-62,and John between 60-64.

Paul appears before Festus in late spring of 60. He appeals to Caesar for judgment, which is his right as a Roman citizen (Acts 25:11). Later that year, Paul appears before King Agrippa II (Acts 25:23-26:32), and is then sent to Rome, departing the last of October in 60.