How many people wrote the New Testament in the Bible?
There are 27 books in the New Testament. In some of the books, the writer is identified, in others the writer is known by historical accounts. Below are the books of the NT and their writers.
MATTHEW – Matthew the apostle
MARK – Mark
LUKE – Luke the doctor (Colossians 4:14)
JOHN – John the apostle
ACTS – Luke the doctor
ROMANS – Paul the apostle
1 & 2 CORINTHIANS – Paul the apostle
GALATIANS – Paul the apostle
EPHESIANS – Paul the apostle
PHILIPPIANS – Paul the apostle
COLOSSIANS – Paul the apostle
1 & 2 THESSALONIANS – Paul the apostle
1 & 2 TIMOTHY – Paul the apostle
TITUS – Paul the apostle
PHILEMON – Paul the apostle
HEBREWS – Probably Paul the apostle
JAMES – James, the brother of Christ
1 & 2 PETER – Peter the apostle
1, 2, 3 JOHN – John the apostle
JUDE – Judas, the brother of Christ
REVELATION – John the apostle
- In every one of Paul’s epistles (with the exception of Hebrews) Paul identifies himself as the writer. James, Peter, and Jude also identify themselves as the writers of the books bearing their names.
- Luke wrote two books. Peter wrote two books. John wrote five books. Paul wrote fourteen books (including Hebrews).
- Of the four Gospels, two were written by apostles (Matthew and John). The other two Gospels were written by men who probably never saw the Lord in person (Mark and Luke).
- The writers of the NT were very diverse. Matthew was a tax collector. Luke was a doctor. Paul was very educated. John and Peter were simple fishermen. Mark had at one time, deserted Paul and Barnabas while on a missionary journey with them. James and Jude were both brothers of the Lord who did not believe on Him until after His crucifixion and resurrection.
In total, eight men wrote the New Testament. Some believe that Paul did not write the book of Hebrews, making it possibly nine men who wrote the NT. Regardless of that, it is so vital that we realize that ALL the Bible was inspired by God. We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” We also read in 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST.” So, the Lord used many men to write the Bible. May we value God’s Word enough to read it, study it, and give ourselves over to its truths. May it be said of each of us, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). (CC) (703.6)