Which event occurred earliest?

Which event occurred earliest?

• A. Paul joined the Jesus movement around 34 CE
• B. Gospel of Matthew written around 85 CE
• C. Gospel of John written around 100 CE
• D. Paul started writing letters around 50 CE

Answer: (A)

Understanding the timeline of early Christian events helps you see which moments came first. The movement that followed Jesus began earlier than the writing of the Gospels or Paul’s letters. Paul joining the Jesus movement around 34 CE happens well before the other dated events: the Gospel of Matthew is dated around 85 CE, the Gospel of John around 100 CE, and Paul’s letters start around 50 CE. Since 34 CE precedes 50, 85, and 100, that event occurs earliest.

Understanding the timeline of early Christian events helps you see which moments came first. The movement that followed Jesus began earlier than the writing of the Gospels or Paul’s letters. Paul joining the Jesus movement around 34 CE happens well before the other dated events: the Gospel of Matthew is dated around 85 CE, the Gospel of John around 100 CE, and Paul’s letters start around 50 CE. Since 34 CE precedes 50, 85, and 100, that event occurs earliest.