Gospels

Matthew. First quoted c. 90 (Didache); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Mark. First quoted c. 172 (Tatian); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Luke. First quoted c. 140 (2 Clement); every list accepts it from c. 182.
John. First quoted c. 172 (Tatian); every list accepts it from c. 182.

Acts. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.

Paul

Romans. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
1 Corinthians. First quoted c. 96 (Clement of Rome); every list accepts it from c. 182.
2 Corinthians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Galatians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Ephesians. First quoted c. 122 (Polycarp); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Philippians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Colossians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
1 Thessalonians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
2 Thessalonians. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
1 Timothy. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
2 Timothy. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Titus. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 182.
Philemon. First quoted c. 209 (Tertullian); every list accepts it from c. 185.

Hebrews. First quoted c. 96 (Clement of Rome); every list accepts it from c. 363.

General letters

James. First quoted c. 367 (Athanasius); every list accepts it from c. 363.
1 Peter. First quoted c. 115 (Papias); every list accepts it from c. 182.
2 Peter. First quoted c. 367 (Athanasius); every list accepts it from c. 393.
1 John. First quoted c. 115 (Papias); every list accepts it from c. 182.
2 John. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 393.
3 John. First quoted c. 367 (Athanasius); every list accepts it from c. 393.
Jude. First quoted c. 206 (Clement of Alex.); every list accepts it from c. 393.

Revelation. First quoted c. 182 (Irenaeus); every list accepts it from c. 393.

AD 50–400

The dot is the first quotation. The bar starts where every later list accepts the book: long for the undisputed, a stub for those disputed into the 4th century.

Works

Names as scripture
Quotes
Alludes
Names
Disputes

Certain
Probable
Possible

Manuscripts

This book alone
With other books
Range of dates

Canon lists

Accepted
Disputed
Rejected
Not mentioned

Context

An event of the period; hover it for the story

Where it was known

0 places · 0 not placed

© OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps · © Mapterhorn, Copernicus DEM

© 2026 Todd Boteler ·

Canon list

Augustine, On Christian Teaching 2.8.13

Augustine of Hippoc. 396-397Hippo Regius

Augustine lists the 27 books but explains that canonicity is weighed by acceptance among the churches, especially apostolic sees, so books received by all rank above those received by fewer.

Dating

Book 2 of De doctrina christiana was written c. 396-397 (the work was finished in 426-427).

Read the list(opens in a new tab)Augustine, De doctrina christiana 2.8.12-13

The 27 books

27 accepted

Gospels

Matthew: Accepted
Mark: Accepted
Luke: Accepted
John: Accepted

Acts

Acts: Accepted

Paul

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

Hebrews: Accepted

General letters

James: Accepted
1 Peter: Accepted
2 Peter: Accepted
1 John: Accepted
2 John: Accepted
3 John: Accepted
Jude: Accepted

Revelation

Revelation: Accepted

Accepted
Disputed
Rejected
Not mentioned

Notes on the books

Hebrews (accepted): Counted among Paul's fourteen letters, though Augustine later grew more reserved about Pauline authorship.

© 2026 Todd Boteler ··