The Muratorian Canon

The Muratorian canon (c. 170–200) is a manuscript fragment that contains the oldest known list of the books of the New Testament that is orthodox. The beginning and end of the manuscript is missing. It was discovered by historian Ludovico Antonio Muratori, a well-known historian, in an Italian library.

List of New Testament Books

The list includes the following books:

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (Matthew and Mark are missing because the beginning and the end of the manuscript is missing, but they can be inferred because “four gospels” are mentioned)
• Acts
• All 13 epistles of Paul
• 1 and 2 John (the writer mentions two letters of John)
• Jude
• Revelation

The list does not include 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and 3 John. It also includes a few writings that are not part of the orthodox New Testament canon.

Thus, by the end of the second century, most of the 27 books of the New Testament were viewed as inspired and authoritative.