Apostles Who Wrote Books of the Bible
Quick Summary
Several of Jesus' apostles are traditionally credited with writing books of the New Testament. These include Peter, John, Matthew, and possibly James. Each of these apostles contributed to the formation of early Christian theology and practice through their writings or the communities shaped by their teachings. Though questions of authorship remain for some books, tradition has long affirmed the apostolic witness behind many New Testament texts.
Introduction
One of the most frequent questions asked by readers of the Bible is: Did the apostles write any of the books themselves? The answer is both simple and layered. Some apostles are directly linked to New Testament books by tradition, while others may have influenced the writings that came from their communities. In this article, we’ll look at which apostles are believed to have written parts of the Bible, examine what modern scholarship says, and explore the spiritual and historical impact of these apostolic writings.
Apostolic Authorship in the New Testament
1. Peter
The Apostle Peter is traditionally considered the author of 1 Peter and 2 Peter. These letters were addressed to early Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor. While 1 Peter enjoys broad scholarly and traditional acceptance, 2 Peter has long been debated in academic circles due to differences in style and vocabulary. Regardless, both are associated with Peter's name and legacy (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1).
2. John
The Apostle John, the son of Zebedee, is credited with writing several New Testament books: the Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation. This makes John one of the most prolific apostolic contributors to the New Testament. However, authorship debates persist, especially around Revelation, with some scholars attributing it to another figure named John, often called "John the Seer" or "John of Patmos." Still, the traditional view holds the apostle John as the author of all five books.
3. Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally ascribed to Matthew the tax collector, one of the twelve apostles. Though the gospel itself is anonymous, early Christian tradition (e.g., Papias, as cited by Eusebius) linked it to Matthew. The gospel’s detailed treatment of Jesus’ teachings and its strong Jewish themes align with the idea of an eyewitness author familiar with both Scripture and the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 9:9).
4. James (Brother of Jesus)
While not one of the original twelve apostles, James the Just, the brother of Jesus, is considered an apostolic figure and the likely author of the Epistle of James. He was a central leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 2:9). His letter is notable for its ethical focus and emphasis on lived faith.
5. Jude (Brother of Jesus)
The short New Testament letter of Jude is attributed to Jude, a brother of James and thus also a brother of Jesus (Jude 1:1). While not one of the Twelve, he is often considered part of the broader apostolic witness, contributing to the early Christian voice through this brief but intense epistle.
6. Paul
Though not one of the original Twelve, Paul is the most prolific New Testament author, traditionally credited with writing 13 epistles. He referred to himself as an apostle (Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1), and his writings form the theological backbone of much of the New Testament. These include Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, and others. Though some letters (like the Pastorals—1–2 Timothy and Titus) are debated in terms of authorship, Paul’s role as an apostolic writer is undisputed.
Apostles Who Did Not Write Scripture
Some apostles are not associated with any specific New Testament writings. For example:
Andrew
Thomas
Philip
Bartholomew (Nathanael)
Simon the Zealot
James the son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus (Judas, son of James)
These men were faithful followers of Jesus and likely spread the gospel through oral teaching and church leadership, even if no canonical writings bear their names.
Why Apostolic Authorship Matters
The apostolic connection helps readers trust that the teachings found in Scripture are rooted in firsthand experience and close proximity to Jesus. The early church used apostolicity as one of the key criteria when discerning which books belonged in the canon. Apostolic authorship provided both theological credibility and spiritual authority.
Modern readers may value historical accuracy and scholarly nuance, but the spiritual weight of these writings remains. Whether penned directly by apostles or shaped by their communities, the New Testament bears the imprint of those who walked with Christ and bore witness to his resurrection.
See Also
Works Consulted
Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, Yale University Press, 1997.
D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament, Zondervan, 2005.
Bruce Metzger, The Canon of the New Testament, Oxford University Press, 1997.
