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 · council

Council of Laodicea, canon 60

c. 363Laodicea on the Lycusdisputed

Canon 59 forbids reading uncanonical books in church; canon 60 lists the same 26 books as Cyril of Jerusalem, without Revelation. Canon 60 is probably a later addition: it is missing from several Latin and Syriac versions of the canons (e.g. Dionysius Exiguus' collection).

Datingdisputed

The synod is conventionally dated c. 363-364, but anywhere between 343 and 381 has been proposed.

Read the list(opens in a new tab)Council of Laodicea, canons 59-60

The 27 books

26 accepted · 1 rejected

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: Rejected

Accepted
Disputed
Rejected
Not mentioned

Notes on the books

Hebrews (accepted): Listed among Paul's fourteen letters, between 2 Thessalonians and 1 Timothy.
Revelation (rejected): Omitted from a list declared to be the books to be read; encoded as rejected.

© 2026 Todd Boteler ··