Papyrus 66

Papyrus 66, 𝔓⁶⁶, is the earliest near-complete copy of the Gospel of John, estimated to date from A.D. 100-200 by multiple biblical experts. The older Papyrus 52 is merely a fragment of a few verses.

This manuscript reportedly includes John 1:1–6:11, John 6:35b–14:26 and 29–30, John 15:2–26, John 16:2–4 and 6–7, John 16:10–20:20, 22–23, and 25-31, and John 21:1-9, 12 and 17. The Adulteress story is not there, and most of the John ending of Chapter 21 is lacking, which is highly suggestive that neither were in this original Gospel.

Omissions

There is very little that is omitted in this early text compared with the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. The omissions, listed below, raise a potential issues for further investigation as to their authenticity as found in later manuscripts (the longest omissions are in bold below):

• John 6:12-35a
• John 14:27-28, 31
• John 15:1, 27
• John 16:1, 5, 8-9
• John 20:21, 24
• John 21, of which is omitted: John 21:10-11, 13-16, 18-25

Date Estimates

A superb online analysis of this manuscript provides the following dates by biblical experts:

• 100-150 Herbert Hunger
• 100-150 Philip W. Comfort
• 175-225 Bruce M. Metzger
• 175-225 Daniel B. Wallace
• 200 Victor Martin
• 200-225 Kurt and Barbara Aland
• 200-250 Eric G. Turner

See also

• J. Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum