The Apocryphal Books: Why They Do Not Belong in the Bible

Why do some people have more books in their Bibles than others? Are there “missing” books that should be in our Bibles?

Imagine a young man in the military has been sent to a foreign continent, and someone brings him a letter that says it is from the soldier’s father. As the young soldier begins reading the letter, he finds that some things his father wrote sound very strange—for example, his father never uses profanity, but the letter contains profanity. Knowing his father’s character, the soldier is sure his dad did not write the letter. He wonders if someone is playing a joke on him or trying to take advantage of him somehow.

This story illustrates the apocrypha, a term meaning “hidden.” Just as the soldier recognized that the false letter did not match his father’s words, diligent Bible students can recognize that certain writings—called apocryphal books—that claim to be from the Father in Heaven are clearly not from Him. The term “hidden” hints at the nature of these counterfeit writings: obscure in origin, questionable in content, and lacking clear evidence of divine authority. They were often excluded from public worship and copies of the Bible because of their lack of authenticity.

As we examine these writings, it will become clear why they were rejected as Scriptures. These uninspired texts can be divided into two main categories: Old Testament Apocrypha and New Testament Apocrypha. Below is an examination of both, with evidence showing why they should be rejected as Scripture.

I. Old Testament Apocrypha

The Old Testament Apocrypha are books written between the close of the Old Testament (Malachi) and the coming of Christ. These books include First & Second Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and additions to Daniel and Esther. The following points demonstrate why these books did not come from God:

1. The Jews Rejected the Apocryphal Books

  • The Old Testament was entrusted to the Jewish people (Romans 3:2), and they never accepted the apocryphal books as part of the Hebrew Canon. Although some later copies of the Septuagint (translation of Hebrew Scriptures into Greek) included the Apocrypha, these writings were not part of the original translation and were never accepted by the Jews in Palestine, the true custodians of God’s Word.
  • Josephus, a respected Jewish historian (c. A.D. 37–100), affirmed that the Jewish Scriptures contained only the 39 books we have today, though they were organized differently in Hebrew tradition.
  • The Jewish Council of Jamnia (c. A.D. 90) confirmed the Hebrew Canon without including the apocrypha.

2. Jesus and the Apostles Never Quoted from the Apocrypha

  • While Jesus and the apostles frequently quoted from the established Old Testament, they never quoted or referenced the apocryphal books as authoritative Scripture. Even when inspired writers like Paul or Jude referred to extra-Biblical sources, they did so to make a valid point—not to endorse those writings as part of the divine Canon. Similarly, some Old Testament writers quoted uninspired books like the Book of Jasher (Joshua 10:13; 2 Samuel 1:18), yet these references simply acknowledge the historical or illustrative value of those writings—not their divine inspiration.
  • Furthermore, Jesus described the Old Testament Scriptures as “the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). By affirming this threefold division, Jesus confirmed the true Hebrew Canon of Scriptures that was recognized by the Jews in His day—which excluded the apocryphal writings.
  • Not only were the apocryphal books never recognized in the “Prophets” section of the Hebrew Canon, but even apocryphal writings like First Maccabees acknowledged that prophecy had ceased long before those books were written! As First Maccabees 9:27 states, “So there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them.” This admission aligns with the historical reality that no divinely inspired messages were given during the four hundred years between Malachi and John the Baptizer; therefore, apocryphal books like First Maccabees were not inspired!

3. The Apocrypha Contain Doctrinal Errors

  • The Apocryphal books contain teachings that conflict with the Bible. For example:
    • Second Maccabees 12:43-46 promotes prayers for the dead, which contradicts the Biblical teaching that those tormented in Hades cannot cross over to the place of comfort (Luke 16:26) and that judgment follows death with no second chances (Hebrews 9:27).
    • Tobit 12:9 claims: “For almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin…” This statement does not harmonize with the Bible. Even before Christ’s sacrifice, forgiveness was never earned by human acts alone—it was granted by God’s grace through divinely revealed conditions such as repentance, prayer, and sacrifice (Leviticus 4:20; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 32:5). Tobit presents almsgiving as inherently possessing the power to erase all sins, which contradicts the consistent Biblical teaching that only God provides forgiveness, and only on His terms.

4. The Old Testament Apocrypha Contain Far-Fetched Stories

  • In addition to their doctrinal errors, several Old Testament apocryphal books contain fictional and even bizarre stories that reveal their uninspired nature. Unlike the meaningful miracles recorded in Scripture, apocryphal writers often filled their stories with exaggerated, superstitious, or unrealistic content. For example:
    • The Book of Tobit describes Tobias driving away a demon by burning a fish’s heart and liver and curing his father’s blindness with fish gall—a ritualistic act associated with pagan superstition, which God condemned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
    • The Book of Judith presents a fictionalized story in which Judith seduces and deceives an Assyrian general before beheading him—behavior that contradicts the righteous deliverances seen in authentic Scripture.
    • The Additions to Daniel describe Daniel killing a living dragon by feeding it a mixture of tar, fat, and hair, causing the dragon to explode—a bizarre account that stands in stark contrast to the purposeful and dignified miracles in the true Book of Daniel.
    • The Wisdom of Solomon mixes Biblical themes with mystical concepts influenced by Greek philosophy, deviating from the practical wisdom found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and other inspired texts.
  • These fictitious elements expose the apocryphal books as uninspired writings, far removed from the divine inspiration and sober Truth revealed in God’s Word.

5. The Apocryphal Books Were Added Later

  • The original Greek Septuagint (also called the LXX), a translation produced by Jewish scholars around the third century B.C., did not contain the apocryphal books—it only contained the inspired Hebrew Scriptures, which ended with Malachi. Some apocryphal writings, such as Tobit, Judith, and parts of Sirach, are believed to have been written between the third and second centuries B.C., but they were excluded from the original LXX. Other uninspired books, like First Maccabees and Second Maccabees, were written later (second century B.C.) after the LXX was translated.
  • The presence of the Apocrypha in some later copies of the Septuagint does not prove they were part of the original LXX. Rather, their eventual inclusion in certain copies seems to reflect the influence of Hellenistic Jews or early Christians who often viewed these writings as valuable for history or moral lessons, not as inspired Scriptures. Similarly, modern Bibles often include uninspired materials such as dictionaries, archaeological notes, maps, and commentaries.
  • The Roman Catholic Church formally declared the apocryphal books as part of their canon at the Council of Trent in 1546—1,900 years after the completion of the Old Testament.

6. The Apocryphal Books Lack the Marks of Inspiration

  • True Scripture bears the characteristics of divine inspiration: inerrancy, fulfilled prophecy, doctrinal consistency, and moral excellence. The apocryphal books fail in these areas and often contain historical inaccuracies.

7. The New Testament Begins Exactly Where Malachi Ended

  • Malachi (c. 420 B.C.) ends with prophecies of John the Baptizer, and the New Testament Gospel accounts begin by describing John’s ministry as the fulfillment of those prophecies (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6; Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 1; John 1). This reinforces the idea that the Book of Malachi marked the conclusion of Old Testament revelation, with no further inspired messages given until John’s arrival.

II. New Testament Apocrypha

The New Testament Apocrypha consist of writings that emerged in the second through fourth centuries A.D. These include texts such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, the Acts of Peter, and others. These books also fail the test of divine inspiration for several reasons:

1. The New Testament Apocrypha Appeared Too Late

  • The inspired New Testament books were all written by the end of the first century A.D. (possibly even before A.D. 70), during the lifetimes of the apostles or their close associates. In contrast, apocryphal texts like the “lost gospels” were written long after the apostles had died, disqualifying them from consideration as inspired Scriptures.
  • A brief note about the Pseudepigrapha: The term pseudepigrapha (from two Greek words meaning “false title”) refers to writings that falsely claim to have been written by Biblical figures. There are both Old Testament and New Testament apocryphal books in this category, with New Testament Pseudepigrapha using the names of apostles or other notable individuals to deceive readers into accepting them as genuine. For example, the Gospel of Thomas claims to have been written by the apostle Thomas, and the Acts of Peter claims to have been written by the apostle Peter. However, historical evidence shows these books were written long after the deaths of the apostles and contain teachings that contradict authentic Scripture. The use of false authorship further exposes these books as fraudulent and uninspired, and early church leaders like Irenaeus and Eusebius openly condemned pseudepigraphal texts as fakes:
    • Irenaeus (c. A.D. 130–202) specifically condemned Gnostic texts like the Gospel of Judas and the Gospel of Thomas, warning that they distorted the true nature of Jesus and His teachings.
    • Eusebius (c. A.D. 260–339) categorized many pseudepigraphal works as “heretical” or “spurious” in his Ecclesiastical History, emphasizing that they were never recognized as part of the authentic Canon.

2. They Lack Evidence of Divine Inspiration

  • Inspired New Testament writings came from the Holy Spirit and possess clear evidence of their divine origin (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).
  • In contrast, apocryphal books lack the marks of divine inspiration. They contain errors, contradict Scripture, and fail to demonstrate the qualities found in inspired writings (John 16:13; Galatians 1:8-9). Their late authorship and absence of clear evidence of divine inspiration disqualify them as inspired Scriptures.

3. They Contradict Established Scripture

  • Many of these writings contain doctrines that oppose Biblical teaching. For example:
    • The Gospel of Thomas promotes Gnostic ideas that deny Jesus’ physical resurrection.
    • The Acts of Peter speaks against marriage—even though Scripture clearly shows Peter was married (Matthew 8:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Peter 5:1)! It promotes extreme asceticism, portraying Peter as encouraging married couples to abstain from marital relations, which contradicts the Bible’s teaching that marriage is honorable; and that marital intimacy is critical (1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Hebrews 13:4).
  • The apostle Paul warned, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).

4. The Apocrypha Contain Far-Fetched and Fictitious Stories

  • In addition to their doctrinal errors, many apocryphal books contain fictional and even bizarre stories that reveal their uninspired nature. Unlike the true miracles recorded in Scripture — which were intended to confirm the preaching of the Word (Mark 16:20; John 3:2; Hebrews 2:3-4)—apocryphal writings often present miracles as random, self-serving, cruel, or even comical. For example:
    • The Infancy Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a child who allegedly brought clay birds to life—a seemingly random and trivial act that contradicts the stated purpose of miracles in Scripture.
    • Even more difficult to believe, this apocryphal text claims that Jesus became angry with a child who accidentally bumped into Him, striking the child dead in response! Such behavior contradicts Jesus’ sinless nature (1 Peter 2:22; Hebrews 4:15) and the compassionate way He treated children (Mark 10:13-16).
    • Furthermore, these apocryphal accounts conflict with the Biblical timeline of Jesus’ miracles. Biblical miracles were never random displays of power. Instead, God used miracles to confirm the preaching of His Word, and Jesus did not begin preaching and doing miracles until after His baptism and anointing with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:15-17; 4:17; Luke 4:18-19; John 2:11; Acts 10:38). Therefore, any alleged miracles performed by Jesus as a child contradict both the timing and the clear, intentional purpose of Biblical miracles, which was to confirm the Word of God as it was being revealed (Mark 16:20; John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; Hebrews 2:3-4).
    • The Gospel of Peter describes Jesus as emerging from the tomb as a giant-sized figure, followed by a talking cross that speaks to Heaven—a ridiculous tale that bears no resemblance to the serious and historically grounded accounts of Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18).
    • The Acts of Paul and Thecla tells a ridiculous story of Paul baptizing a lion, a concept foreign to the New Testament’s clear teaching that baptism is reserved for accountable individuals who believe in Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36-38).
    • The Acts of Peter includes a bizarre tale of a talking dog and a flight of babies from Heaven—fanciful stories that reduce God’s miraculous power to mere entertainment.
  • Biblical miracles were always purposeful—confirming God’s Word, demonstrating divine compassion, or revealing God’s power (Mark 16:20; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22). Apocryphal stories often read like fables, legends, or fairy tales—sensationalized, unrealistic, and inconsistent with the reverence and purpose of true miracles. These fictional accounts expose the apocryphal books as uninspired fabrications, far removed from the inspired integrity of God’s true Word.

5. The Canon Was Already Recognized

  • By the end of the first century A.D., the inspired writings were widely recognized and circulated among the early church. Peter referred to Paul’s writings as “Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16).
  • Early church leaders such as Clement of Rome (c. A.D. 30–100) and Polycarp (c. A.D. 69–155) consistently quoted from the inspired New Testament books, demonstrating their early recognition as being inspired. While most apocryphal writings appeared after Clement’s lifetime, Polycarp, who lived longer, still showed no regard for these later, uninspired texts.
  • By the time later apocryphal books appeared, the inspired New Testament writings had already circulated widely and were recognized as being inspired.

6. The Bible Was Completed in the First Century A.D.

  • The Bible teaches that God’s revealed system of faith was fully delivered in the first century A.D. (Jude 3). The Holy Spirit guided the apostles into all truth (John 16:13), and the inspired writings, recorded by apostles and other inspired men (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5), were completed by the close of the first century A.D. Any writing that appeared after this time lacks divine inspiration (Revelation 22:18-19).
  • The closing verses of Revelation warn against adding to or taking away from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19; cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Galatians 1:6-9).

Conclusion

Practically any time there is something of extreme value, there will be counterfeits. The Apocryphal Books, whether from the Old Testament period or written after the coming of Christ, lack the characteristics of inspired Scripture. They were rejected by the Jewish people, ignored by Jesus and the apostles, and failed the tests of doctrinal consistency and divine authority. Many of these books further reveal their uninspired nature by including far-fetched stories that portray God’s power in a sensationalized and trivial way. Some apocryphal texts portray Jesus performing miracles as a boy or even killing a child — accounts that contradict both the sinless nature of Christ and the Bible’s teaching that His miracles began after His baptism to confirm the preaching of the Word (Mark 16:20; Luke 4:18-19; John 3:2; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 2:3-4). Apocryphal Old Testament books also include superstitious, exaggerated, or even absurd tales. Since the true Word of God provides everything needed for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), equipping God’s people to be “complete” and ready “for all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17), there is no need for—nor divine authority for—these uninspired additions. To accept such books as Scripture is to embrace counterfeits that threaten the purity of God’s inspired Word.

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