When it came to the Old Testament, three important facts were considered: 1) The New Testament quotes from or alludes to every Old Testament book but two. 2) Jesus effectively endorsed the Hebrew canon in Matthew 23:35 when He cited one of the first narratives and one of the last in the Scriptures of His day. 3) The Jews were meticulous in preserving the Old Testament Scriptures, and they had few controversies over what parts belong or do not belong.
Wakati ilifikia Agano la Kale, kanuni tatu muhimu zilitiliwa maanani: 1) Agano Jipya lanukuu kutoka au hutambua Agano la Kale mbali na vitabu viwili. 2) Yesu kwa ufanisi alihithinisha kanoni ya Kiebrania katika Mathayo 23:35 wakati Alitoa mfano wa mojawapo ya simulizi kwanza na mojapo ya mwisho katika maandiko ya siku yake. 3) Wayahudi walikuwa wa kina katika kuhifadhi Agano la Kale, na walikuwa na mabishano kidogo sana juu ya ni sehemu gani inastahili au isiyo stahili kuwa katika Biblia. Kanoni ya Kikatoliki haikuweza kujipima na ikaanguka nje ya ufafanuzi wa maandiko na haijawahi kukubaliwa na Wayahudi.