Muratorian Canon


(A.D. 170)

The oldest known list of New Testament books. An 8th century copy of this document was discovered and published in 1740 by librarian L. A. Muratori.

The manuscript is mutilated at both ends, but the remaining text makes it evident that Matthew and Mark were included in the now missing part. The fragment begins with Luke and John, cites Acts, thirteen Pauline letters, Jude, 1 John, 2 John, and Revelation. There follows a statement: "We accept only the Apocalypse of John and Peter, although some of us do not want it to be read in the Church." 2 Peter may be the Peter's Apocalypse? The list also rejects by name various heretical leaders and their writings.

(The Origin of the Bible: Newly Updated by F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, Philip W. Comfort, and Carl F. H. Henry, 2020. The Canon of the New Testament by Milton C. Fisher, Pages 68-69; 72-73.)