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Manuscripts

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Holy Scripture › Manuscripts

The question

I would be very interested to hear what you have to say regarding the above article: http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/4/11/papyrus-jesus-not-forgery/.

The answer

There is nothing wrong with recognizing that this is an authentic manuscript from the 8th century. This does not mean that its content is the truth.

Regarding the statement made in the manuscript, “My wife,” this could refer to the church, i.e., the bride of Christ. The next statement, "She will be able to be My disciple," is also true because His bride is also His disciple.

Professor King admits that she has never claimed that this fragment of papyrus proves that Jesus had a wife, but rather that it indicates that early Christian thinkers or writers were discussing the role of women in Christianity.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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