The Story of the Bible

Every event on the timeline above, era by era, with its Scripture reference and short summary. Open an event on the timeline for the full story.

Creation & Fall

Genesis 1–11 — the world God made, humanity’s rebellion, and the first promise of rescue.

• Creation Genesis 1–2 · In the beginning

  God speaks the universe into being and makes humanity in his image.

• The Fall Genesis 3 · The first rebellion

  Adam and Eve disobey God, fracturing creation — but God promises a deliverer.

• The Flood Genesis 6–9 · Early ages

  God judges a violent world but saves Noah’s family and makes a covenant of mercy.

• The Tower of Babel Genesis 11 · Early ages

  Humanity unites in pride to make a name for itself; God scatters them by confusing their language.

The Patriarchs

Genesis 12–50 — God calls a family and binds himself to them by covenant.

• God Calls Abraham Genesis 12; 15; 17 · ~2000 BC (approx.)

  God calls Abraham and promises land, descendants, and blessing for all nations through him.

• Isaac and Jacob Genesis 21–35 · ~1900 BC (approx.)

  The covenant passes to Isaac, then to Jacob, whom God renames Israel.

• Joseph in Egypt Genesis 37–50 · ~1800 BC (approx.)

  Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rises to power in Egypt and saves his family.

Exodus & the Law

Exodus–Deuteronomy — God rescues Israel from Egypt and makes them his people.

• Moses and the Burning Bush Exodus 3–4 · ~1400s BC (debated)

  God appears to Moses in a burning bush and sends him to free Israel from slavery.

• The Passover & Exodus Exodus 12–14 · ~1400s BC (debated)

  After the plagues, Israel is spared by the blood of a lamb and led out of Egypt through the sea.

• The Law at Sinai Exodus 19–20 · ~1400s BC (debated)

  At Mount Sinai God gives the Ten Commandments and makes Israel his covenant people.

Conquest & Judges

Joshua–Ruth — Israel enters the land and cycles through rebellion and rescue.

• Entering the Promised Land Joshua 1–6 · ~1400–1200 BC (debated)

  Under Joshua, Israel crosses the Jordan and the walls of Jericho fall.

• The Judges Judges; Ruth · ~1200–1050 BC (approx.)

  Israel cycles through sin, oppression, and rescue by judges — and needs a true king.

The United Kingdom

1 Samuel–1 Kings — Israel asks for a king; God promises David an everlasting throne.

• God’s Covenant with David 1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 7 · ~1000 BC

  God chooses David as king and promises that his throne will endure forever.

• Solomon & the Temple 1 Kings 6–8 · ~960 BC

  Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem, and God’s glory fills it.

Divided Kingdom & Prophets

1 Kings–the prophets — the kingdom splits, and prophets call it back to God.

• The Kingdom Divides 1 Kings 12 · ~930 BC

  After Solomon, the kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south).

• The Prophets Isaiah; Amos; Hosea; and others · ~9th–6th c. BC

  God sends prophets to call his people back, warning of judgment and promising a Messiah.

• Fall of the Northern Kingdom 2 Kings 17 · 722 BC

  Assyria conquers Israel and carries the northern tribes into exile.

Exile & Return

2 Kings–Malachi — judgment, captivity, and a remnant brought home in hope.

• Fall of Jerusalem & Exile 2 Kings 25 · 586 BC

  Babylon destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and Judah is carried into exile.

• Faith in Exile Daniel; Ezekiel · 6th c. BC

  In Babylon, Daniel and others stay faithful, and God reveals his rule over the nations.

• The Return Ezra; Nehemiah; Haggai · 538–430 BC

  A remnant returns from exile, rebuilds the Temple and Jerusalem’s walls, and waits.

The Second Temple Period

From the return through Persian, Greek, Hasmonean, and Roman rule — the historical and religious setting into which Christ was born.

• The Second Temple Period From the return to the coming of Christ · ~430–5 BC

  Under Persian, Greek, Hasmonean, and Roman rule, Israel’s life prepared the historical and religious setting into which Christ was born.

The Life of Christ

The Gospels — God becomes man; the promised King arrives, dies, and rises.

• The Birth of Jesus Matthew 1–2; Luke 1–2 · ~5–4 BC

  God becomes man: Jesus is born in Bethlehem, the promised Son of David.

• Baptism & Temptation Matthew 3–4 · ~AD 27–29

  Jesus is baptized, affirmed by the Father, and overcomes temptation in the wilderness.

• Ministry, Miracles & Parables The Gospels · ~AD 27–30

  Jesus preaches the kingdom, heals the sick, and teaches in parables.

• The Crucifixion Matthew 27; John 19 · ~AD 30–33

  Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate, bearing the sins of the world.

• The Resurrection Matthew 28; 1 Corinthians 15 · ~AD 30–33

  On the third day Jesus rises from the dead, conquering sin and death.

• The Ascension Luke 24; Acts 1 · ~AD 30–33

  Jesus ascends to heaven and is enthroned as Lord, promising to return.

The Early Church

Acts — the Spirit is poured out and the good news spreads to the nations.

• Pentecost Acts 2 · ~AD 30–33

  The Holy Spirit is poured out, and the church is born as thousands believe.

• The Conversion of Paul Acts 9 · ~AD 33–36

  The persecutor Saul meets the risen Christ and becomes the apostle to the nations.

• Paul’s Missionary Journeys Acts 13–20 · ~AD 46–57

  Paul plants churches across the Roman world and writes many of the New Testament letters.

• The Jerusalem Council Acts 15 · ~AD 49

  The apostles ruled that Gentile believers need not be circumcised or take on the Mosaic Law, asking only that they abstain from food offered to idols, blood, what is strangled, and sexual immorality (Acts 15:28–29).

The Apostolic Church and the Consummation

The Epistles & Revelation — from Pentecost the Church proclaims the Gospel and awaits the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.

• The New Testament Letters Romans–Jude · ~AD 48–95

  The apostles write letters teaching the churches the gospel and how to live it.

• The Fall of Jerusalem Foretold in Matthew 24 · AD 70

  Rome destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, just as Jesus had foretold.

• Revelation & the New Creation Revelation 21–22 · ~AD 95

  John sees the risen Christ’s victory and the promise of a new heaven and new earth.

Keep exploring: Explore Church History