New Testament History

The apostolate of Paul

The conversion
The first visit to Jerusalem
The second visit to Jerusalem
The third visit to Jerusalem
The first missionary journey

The fourth visit to Jerusalem and the second missionary journey
The fifth visit to Jerusalem and the third missionary journey
The sixth visit to Jerusalem
The imprisonment and the release
 
Abbreviations and bibliography
 
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The conversion

Paul was not yet converted at the time of a triumph of a tyrant who persecuted Christians.[1] He converted after the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:58-8:1, on 26 December 36 AD) and when he was on the way from Jerusalem to Damascus to bring Christians as prisoners to Jerusalem (Acts 9:2). He converted during the Roman power vacuum in the winter of 36/37 AD. Paul had the consent of the high priest for his persecution of Christians (Acts 9:1; 22:5; 26:10, 12). Vitellius deposed Jonathan at Passover 37 AD for having misused the power vacuum to eliminate Christians.[2]

The liturgical feast of Paul’s conversion is 25 January.[3] When Paul converted on 25 January 37 AD, a light from heaven flashed down around noon (Acts 9:3; 22:6; 26:13). Paul could not see during 3 (inclusive) days (Acts 9:9), Friday-Sunday 25-27 January 37 AD = 19-21 Tevet (Parker and Dubberstein).[4] Paul recovered his sight on the first day of the Feast of Ennorum (21-23 Tevet), which feast celebrates the creation of lights. The 3 days were the same 3 weekdays as those of the Passion, Friday-Sunday.[5]

 


[1] A.C.E., Visionen August 1820, 62: “Sie erzählt, einen großen Triumphzug, wo der Tyrann von sechs Löwen gezogen worden und bei welchem Elephanten gewesen, gesehen zu haben. Es seien viele Gefangene dabei gewesen, die nachher gemartert worden. Sie habe Paulus dabei gesehen, noch als Jude, als einen Führer.”

[2] Mahieu 2012: 516-517.

[3] Mart. Rom. (Collins 1946: 18); Cal. Rom. gen. (Tylenda 2003: 20). The Senate recognised Claudius as emperor on 25 January 41 AD (Kienast 1996: 90). Agrippa I was appointed over Judea and Samaria some days later (Josephus, A.J. 19.274). The year of Paul’s conversion corresponds to the year of Caligula’s accession, 37 AD. The day of Paul’s conversion corresponds to the day of Caligula’s succession, 25 January (Caligula died on 24 January: Kienast 1996: 85).

[4] Reingold and Dershowitz have 19-21 Shevat.

[5] Maria de Agreda, Cité, 6:95, 219, situates the conversion on 25 January 35 AD, i.e. 1 year and 1 month after her date for Stephen’s martyrdom (26 December 33 AD).