the Apostle Paul: Life and Age Timeline

In the book of Acts Paul is described as being in a trance wherein he saw the Lord speaking to him. How old must he have been at that time?

Good question — this refers to Acts 22:17–21, where Paul recounts,

“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me…”

Let’s trace his age at that moment using historical clues:

🕊 1. Timeline Context

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was:

Born in Tarsus of Cilicia, likely around 5–10 A.D. (most scholars place his birth near the start of the first decade A.D.).

Converted to Christ on the road to Damascus around 33–36 A.D.

After his conversion, he spent time in Arabia, then returned to Damascus, and three years later went up to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:17–18).

The trance vision in Acts 22:17 occurred during that Jerusalem visit, shortly after his conversion.

📖 2. Approximate Age Calculation

If Paul was born about 5 A.D. and his conversion was around 34 A.D., he would have been roughly:

29 years old at his conversion.

Then, his trance experience happened within a few years after, when he came back to Jerusalem — therefore:

➤ Paul was around 30–31 years old when he “fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to him” (Acts 22:17–21).

🪶 3. Supporting Notes

His description in Acts 7:58 (“the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul”) confirms he was still a young man at Stephen’s martyrdom, likely in his late 20s.

His early zeal and rapid rise among Pharisees fit with someone in their early 30s during these formative missionary encounters.

✅ Summary:

When Paul saw the Lord speaking to him in a trance (Acts 22:17), he was about 30 years old, give or take a year or two.

Would you like me to map out his age timeline across major events in Acts (conversion, first missionary journey, imprisonment, etc.)? It helps visualize his life chronologically.

Please.

Excellent — here’s a clear chronological age timeline of Paul (Saul of Tarsus) based on the best historical and scriptural evidence.

🕰️ Apostle Paul: Life & Age Timeline 

Event, Approx. Year (A.D.), Paul’s Estimated Age, Notes & References,

Birth in Tarsus (Cilicia)

5 A.D. (±2 years)

0

Born a Roman citizen (Acts 22:3, 22:28), trained in Jewish law under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).

At Stephen’s Stoning

33–34 A.D.

~28–29

Called a “young man” (Acts 7:58). Already zealous in persecuting Christians.

Conversion on the Road to Damascus

34–35 A.D.

~29–30

Struck by the Lord Jesus (Acts 9:3–6). Baptized by Ananias (Acts 9:17–18).

Retreat to Arabia, then return to Damascus

35–37 A.D.

~30–32

Period of spiritual preparation (Galatians 1:17). Begins preaching Christ.

Trance in the Temple (Vision of the Lord)

37–38 A.D.

~31–33

“While praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking to me.” (Acts 22:17–21).

First Visit to Jerusalem (after Conversion)

37–38 A.D.

~32–33

Met Peter and James; stayed 15 days (Gal. 1:18–19). Fled Jerusalem after threats (Acts 9:29–30).

Mission Work in Syria & Cilicia (Tarsus)

38–45 A.D.

~33–40

Period of ministry before Barnabas brings him to Antioch (Acts 11:25–26).

First Missionary Journey

46–48 A.D.

~41–43

With Barnabas (Acts 13–14). Visits Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Jerusalem Council

49 A.D.

~44

Debates Gentile circumcision (Acts 15).

Second Missionary Journey

49–52 A.D.

~44–47

Travels with Silas and Timothy to Greece; founds Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.

Third Missionary Journey

53–57 A.D.

~48–52

Long stay in Ephesus (Acts 19). Writes Corinthians, Galatians, Romans.

Arrest in Jerusalem & Imprisonment at Caesarea

57–59 A.D.

~52–54

Accused by Jews, defends himself before Felix and Festus (Acts 23–25).

Voyage to Rome & Shipwreck

59–60 A.D.

~54–55

Arrives in Rome under guard (Acts 27–28).

First Roman Imprisonment (House Arrest)

60–62 A.D.

~55–57

Writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon.

Release & Further Ministry (Macedonia, Crete)

63–66 A.D.

~58–61

Writes 1 Timothy and Titus.

Second Imprisonment in Rome

66–67 A.D.

~61–62

Writes 2 Timothy (“I have fought the good fight”).

Martyrdom under Nero

67–68 A.D.

~62–63

Beheaded near Rome (tradition). Buried on the Ostian Way

✨ Summary View

Conversion: ~30 years old

Trance in the Temple: ~31–33

First Missionary Journey: ~41–43

Death: ~62–63 years old