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Books of the Bible List Order - Complete New and Old Testament
Who were the New Testament writers? There are 9 authors who wrote the 27 books that came to be known as the New Testament, and in this article, John Whittaker describes what we know about these authors.
When reading the Bible, it’s important to remember that it wasn’t just dropped out of heaven to us. It was written by real people with unique backgrounds and personalities, and God used them to communicate his word to his people. So, who were the authors of the New Testament books?
Many of the books tell us exactly who wrote them, such as the letters of Paul, James, and Peter, for example. The Gospels are technically anonymous, but the earliest testimony of the church indicates who wrote them. The book of Hebrews is the only one whose author is unknown.
Here is a short bio for each of the New Testament authors.
1. Matthew ||| https://youtu.be/mgUWg3ZY_C8
Matthew was one the 12 original apostles and thus an eyewitness to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew, who was also called Levi, was a Jew who lived in Capernaum. He worked for the Romans as a tax collector, which means he was a rather shady businessman who would’ve been despised by his fellow Jews. In fact, he was working at his tax booth when Jesus called him to follow him (Mark 2:13ff).
2. Mark ||| https://youtu.be/pP_RkiS8GsA
Mark’s full name is John Mark and he had close connections with the apostles and the early church. His mother’s name was Mary, and their home was one of the key gathering places for the first church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). Mark was also the cousin of Barnabas, another key leader in the early church (Col. 4:10), and he traveled with Barnabas and Paul for part of their first missionary journey. Towards the end of Paul’s life, he asked Timothy to bring Mark to him because “he was useful to him” (2 Tim 4:11). Early church tradition says that the apostle Peter was the main source for the Gospel Mark wrote.
3. Luke ||| Acts
https://youtu.be/PEMFlleaJnc ||| https://youtu.be/vRNs2Gkp-o8
Luke is the author of Luke and Acts. He was a close colleague of the apostle Paul. He traveled with Paul from Troas to Philippi on Paul’s second missionary journey (notice the “we” in Acts 16:11ff), remained there for a few years, rejoined Paul at the end of the third missionary journey (Acts 20:5-6), and stayed with him over the next four years while Paul was in prison. Luke was a physician by training, and, in Colossians 4, he’s included among Paul’s Gentile colleagues, which means he’s most likely the only Gentile author in the New Testament.
4. John ||| the Gospel, the 3 Letters, Revelation
John (who wrote the Gospel of John, the 3 letters of John, and Revelation) was one of the 12 original apostles and an eyewitness to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He grew up in a family of commercial fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and when Jesus called him and his brother James to follow him, they left the family business to become his disciple. As a young man, it appears he and his brother had a bit of a fiery side, being nicknamed “the sons of thunder” because of it (Mark 3:17; cf. Luke 9:54). In his Gospel, John calls himself the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” suggesting that he had a particularly close friendship with Jesus, and Jesus entrusted the care of his mother Mary to John as he hung on the cross (John 19:26-27). John outlived the other apostles (his later life spent in Ephesus) and his writings are likely the last ones of the New Testament.
5. Paul ||| 13 Books
Paul is the author of 13 letters in the New Testament. He grew up in a conservative Jewish home and was trained in the way of the Pharisees. His hometown was Tarsus (born with Roman citizenship), a large Greco-Roman commercial city in the southeastern corner of modern-day Turkey, but at some point he moved to Jerusalem for schooling (Acts 22:3). He studied under one of the greatest rabbis of his day, Gamaliel, and distinguished himself in zeal and learning (Gal 1:14). His zeal was so intense that it led him to persecute the Christians. Over the years, scholars have also debated whether or not to include Hebrew as part of the Pauline Epistles.
Nevertheless, the rare combination of Jewish learning, Roman citizenship, and Greco-Roman city life made Paul uniquely equipped to make disciples throughout the Roman Empire. So, in order to bring Paul to himself, Jesus appeared to him when Paul was on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus (you can read the story in Acts 9). Once Paul surrendered to Jesus, he applied the same zeal to making disciples of Jesus that he once had for persecuting them. Paul’s ministry spanned about 30 years until he was finally beheaded for his faith in Jesus in Rome in the mid-60’s.
6. James ||| https://bit.ly/3wGUpnI
The author of James was (most likely) James the brother of Jesus. Based on the order in which the brothers are listed in Matthew 13:55, James is the next oldest son of Joseph and Mary after Jesus. During his ministry, James (and his other brothers) misunderstood Jesus’ purpose and was skeptical of him (John 7:5). But after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7), and this led James to believe in him. He became a key leader in the church in Jerusalem (e.g., Acts 12:17; Acts 15). Paul even calls him one of the “pillars” (Gal 2:9). According to early church tradition, James’ leadership and faithfulness earned him several nicknames. He was called James the Just and also “camel knees” because he spent so much time on his knees praying for the Jews. He was stoned to death in Jerusalem in A.D. 62.
7. Peter 1 ||| https://bit.ly/38G4Dws ||| Peter 2 ||| https://bit.ly/3agRHOe
Peter was one of the 12 original apostles and an eyewitness to the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, he and his brother Andrew were two of the very first followers of Jesus (John 1:40-41). His hometown was Bethsaida, and he and his brother were commercial fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. His actual name was Simon, but Jesus gave him the nickname “Peter” which means “Rock.”
His strong, bold personality resulted in him becoming the leader of the apostles, even though at times it caused him to say or do some foolish things. In spite of this strong personality, Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest. Peter wept bitterly over this failure and after his resurrection, Jesus reassured Peter by commissioning him to ministry (John 21:15ff). Peter became the key leader and spokesman in Jerusalem when the church first began, and he boldly proclaimed Jesus even to the very leaders who had crucified him. Peter was put to death for his faith in Jesus in the mid-60’s, and tradition says he was crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die the same way Jesus had.
8. Jude ||| https://bit.ly/3ySdYft
The author of the short letter of Jude was Jude, Jesus’ brother. Like his older brother James, he misunderstood Jesus’ purpose and was skeptical of him during his ministry (John 7:5). But after Jesus’ resurrection, Jude was gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem with the believers (Acts 1:14). Jude identifies himself in his letter as the “brother of James,” seemingly content to be known as the sibling of a more well-known church leader.
9. Hebrews ||| https://bit.ly/3lABNAs
There’s been no shortage of speculation over who wrote Hebrews. Suggestions include people like Paul, Apollos, Luke, and Barnabas. Whoever wrote it had a good command of the Old Testament and a very polished Greek writing style. But the fact is, the early church father Origen was right when he said, as to who wrote Hebrews, “Only God knows”! That was true when he said it around A.D. 200 and it’s still true today.
The New Testament is a collection of 27 books, usually placed after the Old Testament in most Christian Bibles. The name refers to the new covenant (or promise) between God and humanity through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The New Testament chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus, the growth and impact of the early church, and instructive letters to early churches.
Matthew ||| https://bit.ly/3sKZhHh ||| STUDY INDEX
Matthew's main purpose in writing his Gospel (the "good news") is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He does this primarily by showing how Jesus in his life and ministry fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures.
Mark ||| https://bit.ly/3ySeydk ||| STUDY INDEX
Since Mark's Gospel (the "good news") is traditionally associated with Rome, it may have been occasioned by the persecutions of the Roman church in the period c. A.D. 64-67. Mark may be writing to prepare his readers for such suffering by placing before them the life of our Lord.
Luke ||| https://bit.ly/3ODjA25 ||| STUDY INDEX
Luke's Gospel (the "good news") was written to strengthen the faith of all believers and to answer the attacks of unbelievers. It was presented to debunk some disconnected and ill-founded reports about Jesus. Luke wanted to show that the place of the Gentile (non-Jewish) Christian in God's kingdom is based on the teaching of Jesus.
John ||| https://bit.ly/3MFcl94 ||| STUDY INDEX
John's Gospel (the "good news") is rather different from the other three, highlighting events not detailed in the others. The author himself states his main purpose clearly in 20:31: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Acts https://bit.ly/3wAgl4S ||| STUDY INDEX
The book of Acts provides a bridge for the writings of the New Testament. As a second volume to Luke's Gospel, it joins what Jesus "began to do and to teach" as told in the Gospels with what he continued to do and teach through the apostles' preaching and the establishment of the church.
Romans ||| https://bit.ly/3LBDGrk ||| STUDY INDEX
Paul's primary theme in Romans is presenting the gospel (the "good news"), God's plan of salvation and righteousness for all humankind, Jew and non-Jew alike.
1 Corinthians ||| https://bit.ly/3MwXWM1 ||| STUDY INDEX
The first letter to the Corinthians revolves around the theme of problems in Christian conduct in the church. It thus has to do with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of a holy character. Obviously Paul was personally concerned with the Corinthians' problems, revealing a true pastor's (shepherd's) heart.
2 Corinthians ||| https://bit.ly/3wALfKz ||| STUDY INDEX
Because of the occasion that prompted this letter, Paul had a number of purposes in mind: to express the comfort and joy Paul felt because the Corinthians had responded favorably to his painful letter; to let them know about the trouble he went through in the province of Asia; and to explain to them the true nature (its joys, sufferings and rewards) and high calling of Christian ministry.
Galatians ||| https://bit.ly/3Gcf1bU ||| STUDY INDEX
Galatians stands as an eloquent and vigorous apologetic for the essential New Testament truth that people are justified by faith in Jesus Christ—by nothing less and nothing more—and that they are sanctified not by legalistic works but by the obedience that comes from faith in God's work for them.
Ephesians ||| https://bit.ly/3wyR6jE ||| STUDY INDEX
Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God's eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.
Philippians ||| https://bit.ly/3NsMmlg ||| STUDY INDEX
Paul's primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at Rome. However, he makes use of this occasion to fulfill several other desires: (1) to report on his own circumstances; (2) to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances; and (3) to exhort them to humility and unity.
Colossians ||| https://bit.ly/38GkXNS ||| STUDY INDEX
Paul's purpose is to refute the Colossian heresy. To accomplish this goal, he exalts Christ as the very image of God, the Creator, the preexistent sustainer of all things, the head of the church, the first to be resurrected, the fullness of deity (God) in bodily form, and the reconciler.
1 Thessalonians ||| https://bit.ly/3wCgLGS ||| STUDY INDEX
Although the thrust of the letter is varied, the subject of eschatology (doctrine of last things) seems to be predominant in both Thessalonian letters. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ.
2 Thessalonians ||| https://bit.ly/3wF7IVz ||| STUDY INDEX
Since the situation in the Thessalonian church has not changed substantially, Paul's purpose in writing is very much the same as in his first letter to them. He writes (1) to encourage persecuted believers, (2) to correct a misunderstanding concerning the Lord's return, and (3) to exhort the Thessalonians to be steadfast and to work for a living.
1 Timothy ||| https://bit.ly/3sOBnKS ||| STUDY INDEX
During his fourth missionary journey, Paul had instructed Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus while he went on to Macedonia. When he realized that he might not return to Ephesus in the near future, he wrote this first letter to Timothy to develop the charge he had given his young assistant. This is the first of the "Pastoral Epistles."
2 Timothy ||| https://bit.ly/3PNy8xp ||| STUDY INDEX
Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and he admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel, to persevere in it, to keep on preaching it, and, if necessary, to suffer for it. This is the second "Pastoral Epistle."
Titus ||| https://bit.ly/3LJsNUA ||| STUDY INDEX
Apparently Paul introduced Christianity in Crete when he and Titus visited the island, after which he left Titus there to organize the converts. Paul sent the letter with Zenas and Apollos, who were on a journey that took them through Crete, to give Titus personal authorization and guidance in meeting opposition, instructions about faith and conduct, and warnings about false teachers. This is the last of the "Pastoral Epistles."
Philemon ||| https://bit.ly/3MGDBUs ||| STUDY INDEX
To win Philemon's willing acceptance of the runaway slave Onesimus, Paul writes very tactfully and in a lighthearted tone, which he creates with wordplay. The appeal is organized in a way prescribed by ancient Greek and Roman teachers: to build rapport, to persuade the mind, and to move the emotions.
Hebrews ||| https://bit.ly/3lABNAs ||| STUDY INDEX
The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and as mediator of God's grace. A striking feature of this presentation of the gospel is the unique manner in which the author employs expositions of eight specific passages of the Old Testament Scriptures.
James ||| https://bit.ly/3wGUpnI ||| STUDY INDEX
Characteristics that make the letter distinctive are: (1) its unmistakably Jewish nature; (2) its emphasis on vital Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works (genuine faith must and will be accompanied by a consistent lifestyle); (3) its simple organization; (4) and its familiarity with Jesus' teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount.
1 Peter ||| https://bit.ly/38G4Dws ||| STUDY INDEX
Although 1 Peter is a short letter, it touches on various doctrines and has much to say about Christian life and duties. It is not surprising that different readers have found it to have different principal themes. For example, it has been characterized as a letter of separation, of suffering and persecution, of suffering and glory, of hope, of pilgrimage, of courage, and as a letter dealing with the true grace of God.
2 Peter ||| https://bit.ly/3agRHOe ||| STUDY INDEX
In his first letter Peter feeds Christ's sheep by instructing them how to deal with persecution from outside the church; in this second letter he teaches them how to deal with false teachers and evildoers who have come into the church.
1 John ||| https://bit.ly/3NosxeG ||| STUDY INDEX
John's readers were confronted with an early form of Gnostic teaching of the Cerinthian variety. This heresy was also libertine, throwing off all moral restraints. Consequently, John wrote this letter with two basic purposes in mind: (1) to expose false teachers and (2) to give believers assurance of salvation.
2 John ||| https://bit.ly/38G4NUA ||| STUDY INDEX
During the first two centuries the gospel was taken from place to place by traveling evangelists and teachers. Believers customarily took these missionaries into their homes and gave them provisions for their journey when they left. Since Gnostic teachers also relied on this practice, 2 John was written to urge discernment in supporting traveling teachers
3 John ||| https://bit.ly/3sQyr0d ||| STUDY INDEX
Itinerant teachers sent out by John were rejected in one of the churches in the province of Asia by a dictatorial leader, Diotrephes, who even excommunicated members who showed hospitality to John's messengers. John wrote this letter to commend Gaius for supporting the teachers and, indirectly, to warn Diotrephes.
Jude ||| https://bit.ly/3ySdYft ||| STUDY INDEX
Although Jude was very eager to write to his readers about salvation, he felt that he must instead warn them about certain immoral men circulating among them who were perverting the grace of God. Apparently these false teachers were trying to convince believers that being saved by grace gave them license to sin since their sins would no longer be held against them.
Revelation ||| https://bit.ly/3PEAsX9 ||| STUDY INDEX
John writes to encourage the faithful to resist staunchly the demands of emperor worship. He informs his readers that the final showdown between God and Satan is imminent. Satan will increase his persecution of believers, but they must stand fast, even to death. They are sealed against any spiritual harm and will soon be vindicated when Christ returns, when the wicked are forever destroyed, and when God's people enter an eternity of glory and blessedness.
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