{"product_id":"if-you-believed-moses-you-would-believe-me-p-koln-vi-255-egerton-gospel-papyrus-replica","title":"If You Believed Moses, You Would Believe Me | P. Köln VI 255 Egerton Gospel Papyrus Replica","description":"\u003cp\u003eOwn a replica of one of the earliest surviving witnesses to an ancient, noncanonical account of the words and deeds of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarkably, Moses plays an important role on both sides of this tiny fragment: Jesus declares that Moses wrote about him on one side, while on the other he commands the healed man to observe the purification offering prescribed by Moses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handcrafted replica is based on P. Köln VI 255 (Inv. 608), a remarkable 2nd-century Greek papyrus fragment preserved in the Papyrus Collection of the University of Cologne. Measuring only about 2.17 × 1.18 in., the original is a tiny but important piece of early Christian manuscript history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one side, Jesus confronts unbelief and declares:\u003cbr\u003e“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for that one wrote about me to your fathers.”\u003cbr\u003eThe saying bears a striking parallel to John 5:46, where Jesus likewise tells his hearers that Moses wrote about him. The similarity is especially significant to scholars studying the relationship between the Egerton Gospel and traditions preserved in the canonical Gospels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposite side preserves the conclusion of an account in which Jesus heals a man with leprosy and tells him:\u003cbr\u003e“Go show yourself to the priests, and make the offering for your cleansing as Moses commanded, and sin no more.”\u003cbr\u003eThe episode closely parallels the healing of the leper found in Matthew 8:1–4, Mark 1:40–45, and Luke 5:12–16, while retaining distinctive wording of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eP. Köln VI 255 was identified as belonging to the same ancient manuscript as Papyrus Egerton 2, fragments of which are preserved at the British Library. Together, these fragments comprise what is commonly known as the Egerton Gospel, contains traditions with striking similarities to the canonical Gospels alongside distinctive language and material. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Egerton Gospel is among the earliest surviving manuscript witnesses to a noncanonical account of Jesus and, as scholar Lorne R. Zelyck notes, one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of early Christian literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the original Cologne fragment measuring little more than two inches, the words preserved on its two sides offer a fascinating glimpse into the transmission of traditions about Jesus during Christianity's early centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur replica is carefully handcrafted  on genuine Egyptian papyrus.\u003cbr\u003eDisplayed in acrylic standing frame (4\" x 6\") \u003cbr\u003eShips in a black gift\/presentation box\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCustomers have used these replicas for:\u003cbr\u003eSermon props\u003cbr\u003eBible studies\u003cbr\u003eClassroom lessons\u003cbr\u003eSeminary education\u003cbr\u003ePersonal collections\u003cbr\u003eChurch displays\u003cbr\u003eMuseum exhibits\u003cbr\u003eOffice or bookshelf displays\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEach Sacred Text Replica begins with careful research and close study of the surviving ancient manuscript. The manuscript image is reproduced on premium Egyptian papyrus, reflecting the material of the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe printed image is only the beginning of the process. Each replica is then individually finished by hand. The papyrus fibers are carefully cut and worked to recreate the irregular edges, lacunae, holes, and other signs of deterioration visible in the surviving manuscript. Because this finishing is performed individually rather than by automated cutting, subtle variations occur naturally, making each completed replica unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModern Replica Only: This item is a modern replica, created for artistic and educational purposes. It is not an ancient artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage Source: Institut für Altertumskunde an der Universität zu Köln, Papyrussammlung — CC BY 4.0\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacred Text Replicas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54011104067867,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/2905\/4491\/files\/IMG_3902.jpg?v=1790044664","url":"https:\/\/sacredtextreplicas.com\/products\/if-you-believed-moses-you-would-believe-me-p-koln-vi-255-egerton-gospel-papyrus-replica","provider":"Sacred Text Replicas","version":"1.0","type":"link"}