How the New Testament became scripture

Canon Crawl follows each of the 27 books from AD 50 to 400: the earliest manuscripts that hold it, the church fathers who quoted it, and the canon lists that accepted or doubted it.

Pick a book to see its timeline. Most were quoted as scripture by the late 2nd century; a few, like Hebrews, 2 Peter and Revelation, were still debated in the 4th. The grids below show all of it at once.

Strongest use, by century

Each cell shows the strongest use that any surviving work of the century makes of the book.

Names as scripture
Quotes
Alludes
Names
Disputes
No surviving use

Book	1st century	2nd century	3rd century	4th century
Gospels
Matthew	quotes, 2 works	names as scripture, 14 works	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Mark	no surviving use	names as scripture, 7 works	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Luke	alludes, 2 works	names as scripture, 8 works	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works
John	no surviving use	names as scripture, 10 works	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works

Acts	alludes, 1 work	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Paul
Romans	alludes, 1 work	names as scripture, 5 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
1 Corinthians	names as scripture, 1 work	names as scripture, 10 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
2 Corinthians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Galatians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Ephesians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 7 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Philippians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Colossians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
1 Thessalonians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
2 Thessalonians	no surviving use	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
1 Timothy	no surviving use	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
2 Timothy	no surviving use	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Titus	alludes, 1 work	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
Philemon	no surviving use	names as scripture, 1 work	names as scripture, 1 work	names as scripture, 2 works

Hebrews	quotes, 1 work	alludes, 4 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
General letters
James	no surviving use	alludes, 2 works	no surviving use	names as scripture, 2 works
1 Peter	no surviving use	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
2 Peter	no surviving use	alludes, 1 work	disputes, 1 work	names as scripture, 2 works
1 John	no surviving use	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 2 works
2 John	no surviving use	names as scripture, 2 works	names, 2 works	names as scripture, 2 works
3 John	no surviving use	names as scripture, 1 work	disputes, 1 work	names as scripture, 2 works
Jude	no surviving use	names as scripture, 1 work	names as scripture, 1 work	names as scripture, 2 works

Revelation	no surviving use	names as scripture, 3 works	names as scripture, 4 works	names as scripture, 2 works

What the lists accepted

Each canon list, oldest first, and its ruling on every book.

Accepted
Disputed
Rejected
Not mentioned

List	Mt	Mk	Lk	Jn	Ac	Ro	1Co	2Co	Ga	Ep	Ph	Col	1Th	2Th	1Ti	2Ti	Tit	Phm	Heb	Jas	1Pe	2Pe	1Jn	2Jn	3Jn	Jud	Rev
Irenaeus of Lyon (as reconstructed)c. 180	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Not mentioned	Hebrews: Not mentioned	James: Not mentioned	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Not mentioned	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Not mentioned	Jude: Not mentioned	Revelation: Accepted
Muratorian Fragmentc. AD 170-200, or 4th century (disputed)	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Not mentioned	James: Not mentioned	1 Peter: Not mentioned	2 Peter: Not mentioned	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Not mentioned	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted
Origen (per Eusebius, HE 6.25)c. 231-249	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Not mentioned	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Not mentioned	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Disputed	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Disputed	3 John: Disputed	Jude: Not mentioned	Revelation: Accepted
Catalogue in Codex Claromontanusc. 300 (list); codex 6th century	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Not mentioned	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Not mentioned	2 Thessalonians: Not mentioned	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Not mentioned	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted
Eusebius of Caesarea, Church History 3.25c. 325	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Disputed	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Disputed	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Disputed	3 John: Disputed	Jude: Disputed	Revelation: Disputed
Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.36c. 350	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Rejected
Cheltenham (Mommsen) Listc. 360	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Rejected	James: Rejected	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Disputed	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Disputed	3 John: Disputed	Jude: Rejected	Revelation: Accepted
Council of Laodicea, canon 60c. 363	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Rejected
Athanasius, 39th Festal Letter367	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted
Apostolic Canons, canon 85c. AD 380	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Rejected
Gregory of Nazianzus, Carmen 1.1.12c. 381-390	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Rejected
Amphilochius of Iconium, Iambi ad Seleucumc. 380-394	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Disputed	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Disputed	3 John: Disputed	Jude: Disputed	Revelation: Disputed
Council of Hippo393	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted
Augustine, On Christian Teaching 2.8.13c. 396-397	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted
Third Council of Carthage397	Matthew: Accepted	Mark: Accepted	Luke: Accepted	John: Accepted	Acts: Accepted	Romans: Accepted	1 Corinthians: Accepted	2 Corinthians: Accepted	Galatians: Accepted	Ephesians: Accepted	Philippians: Accepted	Colossians: Accepted	1 Thessalonians: Accepted	2 Thessalonians: Accepted	1 Timothy: Accepted	2 Timothy: Accepted	Titus: Accepted	Philemon: Accepted	Hebrews: Accepted	James: Accepted	1 Peter: Accepted	2 Peter: Accepted	1 John: Accepted	2 John: Accepted	3 John: Accepted	Jude: Accepted	Revelation: Accepted