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2000-Year-Old NT Fragments Unearthed
24 Feb
Summary
- Oldest New Testament fragments, nearly 2,000 years old, are in Oxford.
- Fragments contain key parts of the Last Supper and Judas' betrayal.
- Dr. Johnston described holding the ancient texts as a life-changing experience.
Oxford University's historic library houses the oldest surviving New Testament fragments, papyrus texts dating back nearly 2,000 years. These fragile scraps preserve crucial moments from the Gospel of Matthew, including sayings of Jesus and details of the Last Supper and Judas' betrayal.
Dr. Jeremiah Johnston described his rare opportunity to hold these ancient fragments as a profoundly awe-inspiring and life-changing experience. He noted their significance in validating the early preservation of Christian scriptures.
The Magdalen Papyrus P64 fragments, discovered in Luxor, Egypt, and given to Magdalen College in 1901, are dated through paleography. While some experts date them to the late second century AD, others, like Carsten Peter Thiede, propose an earlier first-century origin.
These texts are among the earliest known examples of a codex, a book format that marked a significant shift from traditional scrolls. The fragments contain Jesus's name, and mentions of Peter and Judas Iscariot, making them unique earliest copies where these names appear.
