Deuterocanonical Books in New Testament

Deuterocanonical Books in NT

  • Deuterocanonical Books Referenced in the New Testament

  • Matt. 2:16 – Herod’s decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 – slaying the holy innocents.

  • Matt. 6:19-20 – Jesus’ statement about laying up for yourselves treasure in heaven follows Sirach 29:11 – lay up your treasure.

  • Matt. 7:12 – Jesus’ golden rule “do unto others” is the converse of Tobit 4:15 – what you hate, do not do to others.

  • Matt. 7:16,20 – Jesus’ statement “you will know them by their fruits” follows Sirach 27:6 – the fruit discloses the cultivation.

  • Matt. 9:36 – the people were “like sheep without a shepherd” is same as Judith 11:19 – sheep without a shepherd.

  • Matt. 11:25 – Jesus’ description “Lord of heaven and earth” is the same as Tobit 7:18 – Lord of heaven and earth.

  • Matt. 12:42 – Jesus refers to the wisdom of Solomon which was recorded and made part of the deuterocanonical books.

  • Matt. 16:18 – Jesus’ reference to the “power of death” and “gates of Hades” references Wisdom 16:13.

  • Matt. 22:25; Mark 12:20; Luke 20:29 – Gospel writers refer to the canonicity of Tobit 3:8 and 7:11 regarding the seven brothers.

  • Matt. 24:15 – the “desolating sacrilege” Jesus refers to is also taken from 1 Macc. 1:54 and 2 Macc. 8:17.

  • Matt. 24:16 – let those “flee to the mountains” is taken from 1 Macc. 2:28.

  • Matt. 27:43 – if He is God’s Son, let God deliver him from His adversaries follows Wisdom 2:18.


  • Mark 4:5,16-17 – Jesus’ description of seeds falling on rocky ground and having no root follows Sirach 40:15.

  • Mark 9:48 – description of hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched references Judith 16:17.

  • Luke 1:42 – Elizabeth’s declaration of Mary’s blessedness above all women follows Uzziah’s declaration in Judith 13:18.

  • Luke 1:52 – Mary’s magnificat addressing the mighty falling from their thrones and replaced by lowly follows Sirach 10:14.

  • Luke 2:29 – Simeon’s declaration that he is ready to die after seeing the Child Jesus follows Tobit 11:9.

  • Luke 13:29 – the Lord’s description of men coming from east and west to rejoice in God follows Baruch 4:37.

  • Luke 21:24 – Jesus’ usage of “fall by the edge of the sword” follows Sirach 28:18.

  • Luke 24:4 and Acts 1:10 – Luke’s description of the two men in dazzling apparel reminds us of 2 Macc. 3:26.

  • John 1:3 – all things were made through Him, the Word, follows Wisdom 9:1.

  • John 3:13 – who has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven references Baruch 3:29.

  • John 4:48; Acts 5:12; 15:12; 2 Cor. 12:12 – Jesus’, Luke’s and Paul’s usage of “signs and wonders” follows Wisdom 8:8.

  • John 5:18 – Jesus claiming that God is His Father follows Wisdom 2:16.

  • John 6:35-59 – Jesus’ Eucharistic discourse is foreshadowed in Sirach 24:21.

  • John 10:22 – the identification of the feast of the dedication is taken from 1 Macc. 4:59.

  • John 10:36 – Jesus accepts the inspiration of Maccabees as He analogizes the Hanukkah consecration to His own consecration to the Father in 1 Macc. 4:36.

  • John 15:6 – branches that don’t bear fruit and are cut down follows Wis. 4:5 where branches are broken off.


  • Acts 1:15 – Luke’s reference to the 120 may be a reference to 1 Macc. 3:55 – leaders of tens / restoration of the twelve.

  • Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6 – Peter’s and Paul’s statement that God shows no partiality references Sirach 35:12.

  • Acts 17:29 – description of false gods as like gold and silver made by men follows Wisdom 13:10.


  • Rom. 1:18-25 – Paul’s teaching on the knowledge of the Creator and the ignorance and sin of idolatry follows Wis. 13:1-10.

  • Rom. 1:20 – specifically, God’s existence being evident in nature follows Wis. 13:1.

  • Rom. 1:23 – the sin of worshipping mortal man, birds, animals and reptiles follows Wis. 11:15; 12:24-27; 13:10; 14:8.

  • Rom. 1:24-27 – this idolatry results in all kinds of sexual perversion which follows Wis. 14:12,24-27.

Grateful acknowledgment to Ken Litchfield for this list.