Bible Reading Guide
The New Testament: All 27 Books in Order
The New Testament is the second part of the Bible: 27 books, from Matthew to Revelation, written in Greek in the first century after the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It falls into four divisions: the four Gospels, one book of history (Acts), the Letters (thirteen from Paul and eight general letters) and Revelation. Together they hold 260 chapters. Below is every New Testament book in order, each with a one-line summary from Father’s Heart Bible™ and a link to read it free online with audio.
The divisions of the New Testament at a glance
The 27 books of the New Testament fall into 5 groups, the way most Bibles print their contents page. Each count below is read from the book list on this page. Counted as one division, Paul’s Letters and the General Letters make the twenty-one Letters.
- The Gospels: 4 books, Matthew to John, 89 chapters.
- History: 1 book, Acts, 28 chapters.
- Paul’s Letters: 13 books, Romans to Philemon, 87 chapters.
- The General Letters: 8 books, Hebrews to Jude, 34 chapters.
- Prophecy: 1 book, Revelation, 22 chapters.
The 27 books of the New Testament in order
The Gospels · 4 books
- Matthew 28 chapters
The Gospel presenting Jesus as the promised King, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. It records the Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission.
- Mark 16 chapters
The shortest and swiftest Gospel, portraying Jesus as the suffering Servant who came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Luke 24 chapters
The Gospel of the great Physician, full of compassion for the poor, the outcast, and the lost. It holds the parable of the prodigal son and the tenderest portraits of Jesus’ mercy.
- John 21 chapters
The most intimate Gospel, written that you may believe Jesus is the Son of God and have life in His name. It records His “I am” sayings and His farewell teaching on the Father.
History · 1 book
- Acts 28 chapters
The story of the young church after Jesus’ ascension—the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and the gospel’s spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Paul’s Letters · 13 books
- Romans 16 chapters
Paul’s fullest explanation of the gospel—humanity’s sin, God’s righteousness, and salvation by grace through faith. The letter that has shaped the church more than any other.
- 1 Corinthians 16 chapters
Paul addresses divisions, disorder, and moral confusion in a struggling young church—and gives the church its greatest chapter on love.
- 2 Corinthians 13 chapters
Paul’s most personal letter, defending his ministry through suffering and boasting only in weakness, where God’s power is made perfect.
- Galatians 6 chapters
Paul’s fierce defense of the gospel of grace against those who would add law-keeping to faith. Freedom in Christ is its theme.
- Ephesians 6 chapters
A soaring letter on our Father’s eternal plan to unite all things in Christ, and on the church as His household and His body.
- Philippians 4 chapters
A joyful letter written from prison, urging the church to rejoice in the Lord always and to have the mind of Christ.
- Colossians 4 chapters
Paul exalts the supremacy of Christ over all things and warns against hollow philosophies that would diminish Him.
- 1 Thessalonians 5 chapters
Paul’s warm encouragement to a young church, and his teaching on the return of the Lord.
- 2 Thessalonians 3 chapters
A follow-up letter steadying a church confused about the day of the Lord, and calling them to stand firm.
- 1 Timothy 6 chapters
Paul’s pastoral counsel to young Timothy on ordering the church and guarding sound teaching.
- 2 Timothy 4 chapters
Paul’s final letter, written near death, passing the torch to Timothy and charging him to preach the word.
- Titus 3 chapters
Instructions to Titus on appointing elders and teaching sound doctrine on the island of Crete.
- Philemon 1 chapter
Paul’s brief, personal appeal to a slave-owner to receive back a runaway slave, Onesimus, now a brother in Christ.
The General Letters · 8 books
- Hebrews 13 chapters
A profound sermon showing Christ as superior to angels, to Moses, and to the old priesthood—the great High Priest who opens the way to our Father.
- James 5 chapters
Practical wisdom on living out genuine faith—taming the tongue, caring for the poor, and enduring trials with patience.
- 1 Peter 5 chapters
Encouragement to Christians suffering for their faith, reminding them of their living hope and their identity as our Father’s chosen people.
- 2 Peter 3 chapters
A warning against false teachers and scoffers, and a call to grow in grace while awaiting the Lord’s return.
- 1 John 5 chapters
A letter on assurance—how to know you have eternal life, walk in the light, and abide in love.
- 2 John 1 chapter
A short letter urging believers to walk in truth and love, and to beware deceivers.
- 3 John 1 chapter
A personal note commending Gaius for his hospitality and faithfulness, and warning against a domineering leader.
- Jude 1 chapter
A brief, urgent letter contending for the faith against those who pervert grace, and calling believers to persevere.
Prophecy · 1 book
- Revelation 22 chapters
The unveiling of Jesus Christ and the end of the story—judgment, the fall of evil, and the new heaven and new earth where our Father dwells with His children forever.
The Father revealed in the Son
Everything in the New Testament turns on one person. Jesus does not only teach about God; He shows us our Father. In the Gospels He prays to the Father, obeys the Father and keeps pointing the people around Him back to the Father. The letters then explain what that means for everyone who follows Him.
Three passages say it better than any summary:
“No one has ever seen our Father; the one and only God, close beside the Father, has made him known.”
“And because you are sons, our Father sent his Son's Spirit into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"”
“The Son is the brightness of our Father's glory, the exact image of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After purifying sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
This is why Father’s Heart Bible™ is translated the way it is: the Son came to make the Father known, and the New Testament should let you hear that on every page, from Matthew’s opening genealogy to the new heaven and new earth at the end of Revelation.
How to read the New Testament on Father’s Heart Bible™
Every one of the 27 books is free to read online, one chapter at a time, with audio narration so you can read and listen together. The New Testament runs to 260 chapters; the longest books, Matthew and Acts, have 28 chapters each. Good places to begin:
- John 1 — The most intimate Gospel, written that you may believe Jesus is the Son of God and have life in His name. It records His “I am” sayings and His farewell teaching on the Father.
- Romans 1 — Paul’s fullest explanation of the gospel—humanity’s sin, God’s righteousness, and salvation by grace through faith. The letter that has shaped the church more than any other.
- Revelation 1 — The unveiling of Jesus Christ and the end of the story—judgment, the fall of evil, and the new heaven and new earth where our Father dwells with His children forever.
Frequently asked questions
How many books are in the New Testament?
The New Testament has 27 books, from Matthew to Revelation. It is the same 27 in Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, including Father’s Heart Bible™.
What are the divisions of the New Testament?
The 27 books fall into the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), one book of history (Acts), twenty-one letters (thirteen by Paul and eight general letters from Hebrews to Jude) and one book of prophecy, Revelation.
What is the first book of the New Testament, and what is the last?
Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, and Revelation is the last. The Gospel of Matthew opens with the family line of Jesus; Revelation ends with our Father living with His children in a new heaven and a new earth.
Who wrote the New Testament?
About nine or ten authors wrote the 27 books, including Matthew and John (two of Jesus’ twelve), Mark and Luke (companions of the apostles), Paul (the author of thirteen letters), Peter, James and Jude. The writing took place within roughly sixty years of the resurrection.
Which New Testament book should I read first?
Start with the Gospel of John. It was written so that readers would believe in Jesus and, through Him, know the Father. Then read Mark or Luke, then Acts, and then the letters. Every book is free to read online with audio in Father’s Heart Bible™.
Keep going: the Old Testament, all 66 books of the Bible in order, where to start reading the Bible, or why Father’s Heart Bible™ exists.
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