St. Paul: Why No Encounter With Jesus Christ During Christ's Three Year Public Minstry?...His Passion?

[Lancer]

A Holy and Joyful Christmas to All:

Just something I have pondered about (this is strictly meditative thought at best…maybe idle speculation at worst…but clearly not necessary for any understanding of our Faith).

I am pretty sure that Saint Paul in his scripture letters/writings says nothing about ever “running into” Jesus of Nazareth during Jesus’ 3 year ministry…or Passion and Death (and surely not after His Resurrection before His ascension to the Father)…he only talks about his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus On The Road To Damascus…his conversion.

I just wonder (in Tradition via the Apostles or the Apostolic Fathers of the Church)…has anything ever been said about this possibility/probability. If St. Stephen was martyred circa 35 A.D.(Scott Hahn’s OSV Pocket Book on Saint Paul)…and Paul (Saul) was there to concur/approve the stoning:

They threw him*[Stephen]*** out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named** Saul** (Acts7-58 of NAB).

…Then Paul (Saul) must have been in his mid-20’s…which means that two to four years earlier when Jesus, The Christ was crucified…Paul must have been around Galilee and Judea (Jerusalem) and in his late teens/early 20’s…and furthermore, as “hotshot” up & coming zealous Pharisee…I would assume that Paul might have seen or heard Jesus…at least discussed him with the Rabbi’s and concurred with the Pharisee leaders that that Jesus was an insane and dangerous heretic…rebel of the faith of Moses…and must be put to death.

Anyone know of any sources that discuss this trend of thought…speculation?

Pax Christi

 

[NotWorthy]

Why couldn’t Paul have stayed on in Tarsus during this time? Besides, Jesus only spent the major festivals in Jerusalem. Wasn’t a majority of his ministry spent in Galilee, which is north of Samaria, which is north of Judea?

I’m not sure about Scott Hahn’s 35AD date. I thought that Jesus was Crucified around 30Ad and Stephen was martyred around 36-37AD. This would place a 6-10 year difference in Jesus’ ministry and Stephen’s matyrdom.

 

[littleone]

Hi all just a hint maybe.
Scripture tells us that ALL things are done unto how God allows, not that He wishes at all times.
Remember that what you are asking is spiritual not physical in relationship to Jesus whole life.
However, in the life of Jesus we must remember that not one instance, second of Jesus life on this earth was waisted. Not one person who God did not want saw the works of Jesus not one person or act by a person was able to see touch or intervien in the life of Jesus, that was the ultimat or the fullness of God’s will on earth and for His creation.
The time for Paul to have any intervention was therefore in that exact time when God designed.
All is exactly to the time designed to the exact thought to the exact need for God’s will to be done.

I hope that helps
Godbless.