Manuscript
Papyrus Bodmer XIV–XV (P75)
Also known as P75 · 𝔓75 · Hanna Papyrus 1 (Mater Verbi) · P. Bodmer XIV–XV
Luke and John in a single early book — the copy that proved Codex Vaticanus was preserving an old text, not inventing one.
papyrinew-testamentgospelstextual-criticism
Overview
Papyrus Bodmer XIV–XV (P75)(c. AD 175–350 — contested. Martin & Kasser: c. 175–225. Turner: c. 225–275. Orsini & Clarysse (2012): 200–250. Nongbri (2016): c. 350.)— Egypt; part of the Bodmer papyri; given to the Vatican Library in March 2007
It carries Luke 3:18–24:53 and John 1–15, extensively preserved.
In 2007 the Bodmer library sold it; the Hanna family and the Solidarity Foundation gave it to the Vatican Library, which renamed it Hanna Papyrus 1 (Mater Verbi). Modern writing may use either name.
Its date is argued about as sharply as P66's: the first editors said c. AD 175–225, Eric Turner c. 225–275, Orsini and Clarysse 200–250, Orsini later c. 250–325, and Nongbri argues for around AD 350 on both handwriting and bookmaking grounds.
Manuscript Details
- Date
- c. AD 175–350 — contested. Martin & Kasser: c. 175–225. Turner: c. 225–275. Orsini & Clarysse (2012): 200–250. Nongbri (2016): c. 350.
- Language
- Greek
- Script
- Greek book hand (uncial)
- Material
- Papyrus
- Current location
- Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (Hanna Papyrus 1, Mater Verbi)
- Discovery location
- Egypt; part of the Bodmer papyri; given to the Vatican Library in March 2007
- Contains books
- Luke 3:18–24:53 · John 1–15
- Tags
- papyri · new-testament · gospels · textual-criticism
Significance
Its text agrees closely with Codex Vaticanus, which settled a long argument: Vaticanus is copying an older text faithfully rather than presenting a fourth-century editor's clean-up. One honest qualification — if Nongbri's later date holds, the gap between the two narrows and that argument loses some of its force.
Where this witness is read
Papyrus Bodmer XIV–XV (P75) is one of the manuscripts named in the places your Bible carries a footnote. Each passage below shows what this witness reads and the case each way.
- John 7:53 - 8:11The Woman Caught in AdulteryPapyrus 75 (P75) (c. AD 175-225) reads: Does not contain the passage. This is our earliest substantial copy of this part of John, and the story is simply not in it.
- Luke 22:43-44The angel in Gethsemane and the sweat like drops of bloodAn early Luke papyrus (P75) and Codex Vaticanus (3rd–4th centuries) reads: Without the two verses — the prayer is followed directly by Jesus rising and coming to the disciples.
- John 5:4The angel who troubled the water at BethesdaThe earliest papyrus copies of John (P66, P75) (about AD 200 – 3rd century) reads: No angel, no troubling of the water — the explanation is simply absent.