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

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© 2026 Todd Boteler ·

Canon list

Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.36

Cyril of Jerusalemc. 350Jerusalem (Hierosolyma)

Four gospels, Acts, seven Catholic Epistles, and fourteen letters of Paul. Revelation is not named, and Cyril tells candidates to read nothing outside this list 'even privately'.

Dating

Lectures delivered to baptismal candidates c. 348-350, before or early in Cyril's episcopate. Date not seriously disputed.

Read the list(opens in a new tab)Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.36

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): Counted among Paul's fourteen letters.
Revelation (rejected): Omitted from a closed list ('let all the rest be put aside in a secondary rank'), so encoded as rejected.

© 2026 Todd Boteler ··