Time of Writing.

The precise time at which each of the books of the New Testament was written cannot be

exactly determined. However, there is no doubt that they were written during the second half

of the first century. This is evident from the fact that a series of second-century writings —

such as the Apologies of the holy Martyr Justin the Philosopher, written in the year 150, the

poetical works of the pagan author Celsus, written in the middle of the second century, and

especially the epistles of the Bishop-martyr Ignatius Theophorus (the God-Bearer), of Antioch,

written circa 107 A.D. — all make numerous references to the books of the New

Testament.

The first books of the New Testament were the epistles of the Apostles, brought about

by the need to strengthen the faith of the newly founded Christian communities. Soon,

however, there also developed a need for a systematic documentation of the earthly life and

teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how extensively the so called “contradictory

critics” have tried to undermine belief in the historical authenticity and originality of our

Gospels and other Sacred Books, referencing their origin to a much later time (e.g. Bauer and

his school), the newest findings in ecclesiastical literature (especially works of the ancient

Church’s Fathers), give full support to the conviction that all four Gospels were indeed

written in the first century.

Through many inferences, one concludes that the Gospel of St. Matthew was written

prior to the others and no later than 50-60 years after the birth of Christ. The Gospels of Sts.

Mark and Luke were written somewhat later, but in any event, before the destruction of

Jerusalem, that is, before 70 A.D. St. John the Theologian wrote his Gospel later than the

others, and most probably at the end of the first century — late in life, when he was over 90

years old. Somewhat earlier, he wrote the Apocalypse or the book of Revelation. The Acts of

the Apostles was written shortly after the Gospel of St. Luke, and as indicated by its preface,

serves as a continuation of the Gospel according to St. Luke.