Have you ever opened your Bible and wondered, how many chapters are in the New Testament?
It’s a question many believers ask when they start reading or studying God’s Word. The New Testament is made up of 27 beautiful books that tell the story of Jesus Christ His life, His teachings, and His promise to the world. Altogether, these books contain 260 chapters, each one sharing a part of God’s message of hope and salvation.
In this simple guide, we’ll look at how these chapters are divided, which book has how many, and how the chapter numbers came to be. Whether you’re reading for study, devotion, or just curiosity, this breakdown will help you understand the Bible in a clearer and more meaningful way.
Total Chapters in the New Testament
If you’re short on time and just want the quick fact here it is!
The New Testament has 260 chapters spread across 27 books. On average, each book contains about 9 to 10 chapters.
Among them, Matthew and Acts have the most chapters (28 each), while Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude have only one chapter each.
Every chapter tells a story about Jesus, His teachings, and the early church. Together, they form the heart of the Christian faith.
New Testament Chapters at a Glance
| Book | Chapters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Books | 27 | — |
| Total Chapters | 260 | — |
| Average Chapters per Book | 9.6 | — |
| Book(s) with Most Chapters | Matthew (28), Acts (28) | Detailed accounts of Jesus’ life and early church history |
| Books with One Chapter | Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, Jude | Short letters with powerful messages of faith |
Chapters in Each New Testament Book
Below is the full list of all 27 books of the New Testament along with their chapter counts and authors.
Each book tells a part of the story from the birth of Jesus, His teachings, miracles, and sacrifice, to the growth of the early Church and God’s final revelation to humanity.
The Gospels and Acts
These five books — Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts — form the foundation of the New Testament.
They record the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the beginning of the Church through the apostles.
| Book | Chapters | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | 28 | Matthew |
| Mark | 16 | Mark |
| Luke | 24 | Luke |
| John | 21 | John |
| Acts | 28 | Luke |
Together, the Gospels and Acts make up 117 chapters nearly half of the entire New Testament.
They give us the clearest picture of Jesus’ life, His teachings, and how the message of salvation began to spread across the world.
Paul’s Letters (Epistles)
The Apostle Paul wrote most of the New Testament. His letters, called Epistles, were written to early churches and believers to guide, correct, and encourage them in their faith.
Each of these letters carries deep spiritual wisdom and practical teaching about following Jesus.
| Book | Chapters | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Romans | 16 | Paul |
| 1 Corinthians | 16 | Paul |
| 2 Corinthians | 13 | Paul |
| Galatians | 6 | Paul |
| Ephesians | 6 | Paul |
| Philippians | 4 | Paul |
| Colossians | 4 | Paul |
| 1 Thessalonians | 5 | Paul |
| 2 Thessalonians | 3 | Paul |
| 1 Timothy | 6 | Paul |
| 2 Timothy | 4 | Paul |
| Titus | 3 | Paul |
| Philemon | 1 | Paul |
General Epistles and Revelation
After Paul’s letters, the New Testament includes the General Epistles letters written by other apostles like Peter, James, John, and Jude.
These books encourage believers to live faithfully, hold on to truth, and stay strong during trials.
The final book, Revelation, written by John, gives a powerful vision of God’s final victory.
| Book | Chapters | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrews | 13 | — (author uncertain) |
| James | 5 | James |
| 1 Peter | 5 | Peter |
| 2 Peter | 3 | Peter |
| 1 John | 5 | John |
| 2 John | 1 | John |
| 3 John | 1 | John |
| Jude | 1 | Jude |
| Revelation | 22 | John |
Who Created the Chapter Divisions in the Bible?
Did you know the Bible didn’t always have chapters and verses?
The chapter divisions we use today were added in the 13th century by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury. Later, in 1551, Robert Estienne added verse numbers to make finding passages easier.
These divisions help us read and study the Bible, but they were not part of the original inspired text. The real power of Scripture lies in its message, not in the numbering.
Are Chapter Divisions Inspired by God?
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is God-breathed.”
But the chapter and verse numbers were added later by humans to make reading and studying easier.
These divisions are helpful, but they are not part of the inspired text. Sometimes, they even split connected passages, like Romans 4–5, so it’s important to read the Bible carefully and follow the flow of God’s message.
FAQs: How Many Chapters Are in the New Testament?
Q1: How many chapters are in the New Testament Bible?
The New Testament has 260 chapters spread across 27 books, including the Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, and other writings.
Q2: What phrase is repeated 365 times in the Bible?
The phrase “Do not fear” or a variation of it appears roughly 365 times, offering daily encouragement to trust God.
Q3: How long does it take to finish reading the New Testament?
If you read steadily, it usually takes about 2–4 weeks to finish the New Testament, depending on your pace.
Q4: What does 1111 mean in the Bible?
Seeing 1111 is often interpreted as a reminder of God’s guidance, presence, and spiritual alignment, though it is not a direct Bible verse.
Conclusion
The 260 chapters of the New Testament form the heart of the Christian faith from the life of Jesus Christ to the letters that guided the early Church.
Knowing the chapter structure makes it easier to read, study, and understand Scripture for devotion or teaching.
“If you want to understand Bible chapter and verse numbers clearly, be sure to check out our simple guide How to Read Bible Verses Numbers.“