Scripture timeline

Timeline of dates of Scripture 

The following list arranges the books of the Bible according to their most probable dates, including more recent research. 

For OT go here 

For NT: 

They were written starting around 12 years 

after Jesus resurrection. 

Note: these were all written during the Apostles lifetime. Plus Jesus appeared to Paul after His ascension, and to John in late 90s for Revelation. 

Jesus is alive and in Heaven. He is God, always was God, and is on Heaven's Throne. 

Jesus Death, Resurrection and Acension 30 AD

New Testament 

Matthew--A.D. 40-45

James--A.D. 44-49

Mark--A.D. 45-55

Galatians--A.D. 49-50

Luke--A.D. 50-53

1 Thessalonians--A.D. 51

2 Thessalonians--A.D. 51-52

1 Corinthians--A.D. 55

2 Corinthians--A.D. 55-56

Acts--A.D. 55-60 

Romans-- A.D. 56

Ephesians--A.D. 60-62

Philippians--A.D. 60-62

Philemon--A.D. 60-62

Colossians--A.D. 60-62

1 Timothy--A.D. 62-64

Titus--A.D. 62-64

1 Peter--A.D. 64-65

2 Timothy--A.D. 66-67

2 Peter--A.D. 67-68

Hebrews--A.D. 67-69

Jude--A.D. 68-70

John--A.D. 80-90

1 John--A.D. 90-95

2 John--A.D. 90-95

3 John--A.D. 90-95

Revelation--A.D. 94-96

John the oldest disciple survived the rest (who were mostly mayrtred earlier on) lived till (est) AD 96-AD120. 

During their lifetime the Apostles were steadily writing (as moved by the Holy Spirit, at God's timing) the Scriptures for 56 years. 

And as we know, the years of the history of Scriptures, the Gospels, played out in real life from 5 B.C

 to 96 AD. 

And the oral tradition of telling the info, was shared by the Apostles (accompanied by signs and miracles of the Apostles), as they went around the regions preaching Christ (explaining from the OT to their eyewitness testimony as followers of Jesus [and witnesses to all that happened in His ministry as well as His death, resurrection, 40 days with the disciples and His Ascension (and following visions from God/Jesus)].  They traveled, spoke, started churches, and shortly/later wrote down ... and copies were sent to all the churches (and new/growing churches). 

33 AD, Pentecost: Jesus initially made the promise of divine inspiration through the Holy Spirit exclusively to His apostles. (Jn 16:12-13)

In Acts 15:19:29. We learn about some early writings to the Gentile churches, because it is embedded within the book of Acts. This marks the beginning of the creation of the canon. 27 more books will follow.

50 - 67 AD: During this 15 year period, the majority of New Testament books are written, including all of Paul's writings.

In 68 AD the Essenes hid the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumram, just before they (the people) were wiped out by Roman soldiers. They were discovered in 1948, collected, organized, and made known to the public in 1980.

While all 27 books were already recieved by the churches and upheld as Scripture....It was during the African synod that made the historic proclamation, entrenching the 27 books as the canon. 

33 Local churches mentioned in the NT:

Antioch, Pisidia: Acts 13:14; Gal 1:2

Antioch, Syria: Acts 11:26 (Paul's home base)

Athens: Acts 17:34

Babylon: 1 Peter 5:13; Acts 2:9

Berea: Acts 17:11

Caesarea: Acts 10:1,48

Cenchrea: Rom 16:1

Colossae: Col 1:2

Corinth: Acts 18:1

Crete: Titus 1:5

Cyrene: Acts 11:20

Damascus: Acts 9:19

Derbe: Acts 14:20; Gal 1:2

Ephesus: Acts 18:19

Hierapolis Col 4:13

Iconium: Acts 14:1; Gal 1:2

Jerusalem: Acts 2:5

Joppa: Acts 9:36, 38

Laodicea: Rev 1:11, Col 4:15

Lydda: Acts 9:32

Lystra: Acts 14:6; Gal 1:2

Pergamum: Rev 1:11

Philadelphia: Rev 1:11

Philippi: Acts 16:12

Puteoli, Italy: Acts 28:13-14

Rome: Rom 1:7

Sardis: Rev 1:11

Sharon: Acts 9:35

Smyrna: Rev 1:11

Tarsus: Acts 9:30

Thessalonica: Acts 17:1

Thyatira: Rev 1:11; Acts 16:14

Troas: Acts 20:6-7

6 Regions of NT churches:

Region of Phoencia: Acts 11:19

Region of Samaria: Acts 8:14, 25

Churches of Judea: Gal 1:22

Churches of Galatia: Gal 1:2

Churches of Asia: 1 Cor 16:19

Churches of Macedonia: 2 Cor 8:1

Ancient Bible Manuscripts 

There are 25,000 manuscripts 

5,600 Greek manuscripts (from 2nd and 3rd century). 

And 

8,000 copies in Latin from 382 AD to 405AD

350+ copies from 200's AD from Syriac 

They all say the same thing

There was a copy of an original called P52

From 100 AD to 150 AD, during John's lifetime, or just after his death (96-120 AD).  

Bodmer P we find copy of John and Luke from 175 AD

Chester B a copy of All 4 gospels and book of Acts dates that to around 200 AD. 

And An OT fragment from 2nd century, just found in 2021. 🎉

There shouldnt be manuscripts from early years, cuz in the 2nd century (and 3rd century for sure), was time of immense Christian persecution to eliminate Christianity, Christians and Scriptures. But God preserved these ancient copies very close to the originals. We have accurate manuscripts. More than 99.9% accuracy, and there all hand copies.

In 200's - 300's b4 Nicea, the church fathers theres 32,000 quotes from the NT. So many that we can reconstruct the complete NT from their writings. 

They also confirm accuracy of the Gospels with 19,000 quotations from the gospels. They say the same thing. 

325 AD persecution ends and Christianity grows 

After 325 AD, after Nicea, we have copies in abundance.  

In 350 AD we have the entire Bible, as a bound copy. 

Fun facts:

By 500 AD we have Bible in 500 languages 

Today we have mass numbers of the Bible translated to almost all languages globally. 

Other historical copies:

Compare these massive amounts of Scripture to:

The 2nd most common ancient document is the illiad

Theres only 642 of them😂. The oldest one is so far removed from the time when he was (supposedly) to have written that 🤣. 

Dates and Details

Link - Bible Canon

BC - AD - World Calendar 

* Birth of Jesus- Sunday, October 20, 5 BC.