Dating the Gospels
Let’s work backwards
Before 70AD
We know that the whole Bible is completed before AD70. The Church Fathers often mention the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in AD70 in defense of Jesus as a prophet. The New Testament predicts and assumes the coming destruction of the Temple but never mentions it.
After 30AD
Jesus was crucified in 30-31AD
Between 30-62AD
2 Tim. 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Timothy has been taught the scriptures and learned to trust in Jesus. It Paul is writing in the 50’s and 60’s (Paul was killed in AD 62) then Timothy was born around the time of Jesus’ ministry. And he had been studying the scriptures that make one wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus since childhood.
Paul and Peter are known to be writing Scripture
Paul’s writings are already considered scripture:
2 Pet. 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter considers his own testimony concerning the mount of transfiguration evidence that he writes as a prophet.
2 Pet. 1:16-21 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Dating the Gospels
Matthew - Most likely took notes while studying under his ‘rabbi’ Jesus. It is written during the persecution that followed the martyrdom of Stephen, 30
Mark - Mark and Peter were together in Rome from AD 42-44
Luke - Paul’s Trial and Death in Rome (AD 62) and James’ death in Rome (AD 62 are not mentioned in Acts, nor are there any hints of a Roman persecution (AD 63). So Acts, which is written after Luke, is complete in AD 61-62 at the latest. Origen, Eusebius, Ephrem, Chrysostom, and Jerome all say that 2 Cor. 8:18 (2Co 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches) is a reference to Luke and his Gospel (AD 56). His Gospel had already spread. Therefore Luke’s Latest possible date is AD 54
John - John is written in conjunction with the book of Revelation. John is in Patmos in 61-62AD.
Let’s work backwards
Before 70AD
We know that the whole Bible is completed before AD70. The Church Fathers often mention the Fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in AD70 in defense of Jesus as a prophet. The New Testament predicts and assumes the coming destruction of the Temple but never mentions it.
After 30AD
Jesus was crucified in 30-31AD
Between 30-62AD
2 Tim. 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Timothy has been taught the scriptures and learned to trust in Jesus. It Paul is writing in the 50’s and 60’s (Paul was killed in AD 62) then Timothy was born around the time of Jesus’ ministry. And he had been studying the scriptures that make one wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus since childhood.
Paul and Peter are known to be writing Scripture
Paul’s writings are already considered scripture:
2 Pet. 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter considers his own testimony concerning the mount of transfiguration evidence that he writes as a prophet.
2 Pet. 1:16-21 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (18) And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (19) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Dating the Gospels
Matthew - Most likely took notes while studying under his ‘rabbi’ Jesus. It is written during the persecution that followed the martyrdom of Stephen, 30
Mark - Mark and Peter were together in Rome from AD 42-44
Luke - Paul’s Trial and Death in Rome (AD 62) and James’ death in Rome (AD 62 are not mentioned in Acts, nor are there any hints of a Roman persecution (AD 63). So Acts, which is written after Luke, is complete in AD 61-62 at the latest. Origen, Eusebius, Ephrem, Chrysostom, and Jerome all say that 2 Cor. 8:18 (2Co 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches) is a reference to Luke and his Gospel (AD 56). His Gospel had already spread. Therefore Luke’s Latest possible date is AD 54
John - John is written in conjunction with the book of Revelation. John is in Patmos in 61-62AD.
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