These early dates are based on historical events including: Nero’s persecution in AD 64, the death of Paul in ~AD 65, the death of Peter in AD ~67, the Judean war with Rome in AD 66–70, and the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in AD 70. Most of the New Testament books do not indicate that the destruction of Jerusalem had happened yet, and so some scholars date the New Testament before AD 70. This article considers the probable dates for NT books. Matthew – AD 34–58 Mark – AD 35–58 James – AD 47–49 Galatians – AD 47–49 1 & 2 Thessalonians – AD 49–51 1 & 2 Corinthians – AD 53–56 Romans – AD 57 Luke – AD 58–62 Acts – AD 60–63 John – AD 58–65 1 Peter – AD 58–63 Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon – AD 60–63 1 Timothy – AD 60–64 1–3 John – AD 61–66 2 Peter – AD 63–67 Jude – AD 64–69 Revelation – AD 69–79 Note All of these writings are quoted by early church writers. In 180, Irenaeus, who knew John’s disciple Polycarp, quoted from every New Testament book while also excluding and opposing Gnostic writings. Origen listed the 27 books in his commentary on John. *Also see article on the first-century formation of the New Testament collection to understand the affirmation of these writings and their chronology as a whole. |