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

Work

A Plea for the Christians

Athenagoras of Athensc. AD 177Athens (Athenae)

Greek · Legatio pro Christianis · Embassy

An apology answering the charges of atheism, cannibalism and incest against Christians. It gives an early philosophical account of the Trinity.

Dating

Addressed to Marcus Aurelius and Commodus as joint emperors, which dates it between 176 (or 177) and 180.

Read the full text(opens in a new tab)ANF vol. 2 (1885), tr. B. P. Pratten, from CCEL, public domain