The Christian Bible Reference Site

Appendix: Events of Jesus' Life and Ministry

Palestine at the time of Jesus Palestine today

Palestine at the time of Jesus (left) and today (right). Satellite imagery provided by NASA.

Event Approx. date Location Reference
Jesus is born (commemorated on Christmas Day) 6-4 B.C. Bethlehem Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-18, Luke 2:1-20
Jesus grows up in Nazareth   Nazareth Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39-52
Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist 26 A.D. River Jordan Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23, John 1:29-39
First miracle -- turns water into wine at the wedding in Cana 26 A.D. Cana John 2:1-11
Talks with the Samaritan woman at the well -- many Samaritans become believers as a result. 27 A.D. Sychar John 4:5-42
Chooses the 12 disciples 28 A.D. Capernaum Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-15
Preaches the Sermon on the Mount 28 A.D. Capernaum Matthew 5:1-48, 6:1-34, 7:1-29, Luke 6:20-49
Raises a widow's son from the dead 28 A.D. Nain Luke 7:11-17
Quiets the storm 28 A.D. Sea of Galilee Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25
John the Baptist beheaded by order of Herod 28 A.D. Machaerus Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9
Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes -- feeds 5000 men plus women and children with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. 29 A.D. near Capernaum Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14
Walks on water 29 A.D. Sea of Galilee Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
The Transfiguration -- Jesus' face shone like the sun 29 A.D. Caesarea Philippi Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36
Raises Lazarus from the dead 29 A.D. Bethany John 11:1-44
Restores sight to two blind men 30 A.D. Jericho Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43
Withdraws temporarily from public ministry with disciples because of threats to His life. 30 A.D. Ephraim John 11:54-57
Triumphal entry to Jerusalem (commemorated on Palm Sunday) 30 A.D., Sunday  Jerusalem Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19
The Last Supper Thursday  Jerusalem Matthew 26:17-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-20, John 13:1-38
Arrest, trial, and crucifixion (commemorated on Good Friday) Friday, Passover Eve  Jerusalem Matthew 26:47-75, 27:1-66, Mark 14:43-72, 15:1-47, Luke 22:47-71, 23:1-56, John 18:2-40, 19:1-42
Resurrection from the dead (commemorated on Easter Day) Sunday Jerusalem Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10
Appears to disciples during following week Jerusalem Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-25
Ascends to Heaven 40 days after resurrection Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:44-53
Much of the above table abstracted from (Zondervan, pp. 719-720)