The Rylands Fragment

A half term trip to Manchester provided the opportunity to view again one of the treasures of that city's John Rylands Library.

Measuring just 9&6cm, this small piece of papyrus (left), dates from between 150 and 200AD and is believed to be the oldest surviving fragment of the New Testament anywhere in the world.

It contains seven lines from John 18.

It's a reminder to us that God's word has been handed down to us through numerous manuscripts that have been patiently copied and passed on for future generations of readers of the Word. From these manuscripts we have our modern English translations of the Bible.

The fragment on display in the John Rylands Library