Click here to view a timeline of the New Testament books.
Each card below contains a symbol representing the book, the title, the theme, the author, the audience, the date of writing, the category, and a significant passage.
Matthew
Jesus as Messianic King
from Matthew to the Jews circa 53-55
GOSPEL
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Mark
Jesus as Suffering Servant
from John Mark to the Romans circa 53-55
GOSPEL
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke
Jesus as Perfect Man
from Luke to Theophilus & the Greeks circa 62
GOSPEL
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
John
Jesus as Son of God
from John to the World circa 89-95
GOSPEL
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts
The Church Expands
from Luke to Theophilus circa 62
HISTORY
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Romans
Righteousness of God
from Paul to the Church in Rome circa 57
LETTER OF PAUL
Therefore, as the trespass of one led to condemnation for all men, so the act of righteousness of one leads to justification and life for all men.
1 Corinthians
Christian Conduct
from Paul & Sosthenes to the Church in Corinth circa 53-55
LETTER OF PAUL
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians
Strength in Weakness
from Paul & Timothy to the Church in Corinth circa 55-56
LETTER OF PAUL
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Galatians
Freedom in Christ
from Paul to the Church in Galatia circa 48
LETTER OF PAUL
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
Ephesians
Unity in Christ
from Paul to the Church in Ephesus circa 62
LETTER OF PAUL
There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Philippians
Joy Amid Persecution
from Paul & Timothy to the Church in Philippi circa 62
LETTER OF PAUL
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Colossians
Sufficiency of Christ
from Paul & Timothy to the Church in Colossae circa 62
LETTER OF PAUL
Set your minds on things that are above, not on earthly things.
1 Thessalonians
Prepare for Christ’s Return
from Paul, Silvanus, & Timothy to the Church in Thessalonica circa 49-51
LETTER OF PAUL
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
2 Thessalonians
Live in Hope
from Paul, Silvanus, & Timothy to the Church in Thessalonica circa 49-51
LETTER OF PAUL
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
1 Timothy
Instructions for Leadership
from Paul to Timothy circa 62-64
PASTORAL LETTER OF PAUL
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
2 Timothy
Enduring in Leadership
from Paul to Timothy circa 64-67
PASTORAL LETTER OF PAUL
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Titus
Ministering Well
from Paul to Titus circa 62-64
PASTORAL LETTER OF PAUL
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
Philemon
Forgiveness
from Paul to Philemon circa 62
PASTORAL LETTER OF PAUL
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
Hebrews
Superiority of Christ
fromunknowna tounknown (likely priestly Jewish Christians) circa 60-70
GENERAL LETTER
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
James
Genuine Faith
from James to Jewish Christians of the Diaspora (outside Israel) circa 40-45
GENERAL LETTER
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
1 Peter
Keys to the Kingdom
from Peter to Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, & Bithynia1 circa 62-63
GENERAL LETTER
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
2 Peter
Godliness & False Teachers
from Peter to Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, & Bithynia1 circa 64-67
GENERAL LETTER
Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
1 John
Love One Another
from John to Christians in Asia1 circa 85-95
GENERAL LETTER
By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him out to walk in the same way in which he walked.
2 John
Avoid False Teaching
from John to “the elect lady and her children” circa 85-95
GENERAL LETTER
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments.
3 John
Imitate Good
from John to Gaius circa 85-95
GENERAL LETTER
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.
Jude
Test All Teaching
from Jude (“Thaddeus”) to Christians generally circa 64-67
GENERAL LETTER
And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Revelation
Christ Returns
from John to the seven churches in Asia1 circa 95-96
PROPHECY
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Footnotes
a Some scholars have proposed that the author could be Paul, Apollos, or even Barnabas
1 Asia, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, & Bithynia were Roman provinces located in Anatolia (also called Asia Minor) which is modern-day Turkey