The New Testament is a collection of 27 texts written by multiple authors in the 1st century CE, during the early Roman Empire. It emerged from the early Christian movement that began after the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The authors were figures within this movement, including apostles and early church leaders, writing for communities across the eastern Mediterranean. The texts were composed in Koine Greek, the common language of the region, and their formation involved decades of writing, circulation, and copying. Key historical events, such as the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE, influenced the composition of some books.

The collection is traditionally divided into four categories. The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are narrative accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus. The Acts of the Apostles continues the story of the early church's expansion. The largest section consists of epistles, or letters, including those attributed to Paul and other leaders, which offer theological instruction and practical advice to early Christian communities. The final book is the Apocalypse, or Revelation, a work of prophetic vision.

The New Testament is the foundational scripture for Christianity, forming the second part of the Christian Bible. It established the core doctrines about Jesus Christ and salvation that have defined Christian belief for two millennia. Its narratives and teachings have had an immense influence on Western culture, including law, art, and philosophy. According to modern scholars, the process of selecting these specific texts for the official canon, which took place over several centuries, was crucial for defining orthodox Christian belief. The collection also serves as a vital primary source for historians studying the origins of Christianity and the social world of the early Roman Empire.