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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Introduction to P35

Papyrus 35, known in the Gregory-Aland numbering as P35, is a significant early New Testament manuscript written in Greek. This manuscript includes fragments of the Gospel of Matthew, specifically covering verses 25:12–15 and 20–23. Scholars have determined, through paleographic analysis, that P35 dates back to the 3rd century C.E.

The physical composition of P35 involves material made from papyrus, a common writing surface in the ancient world, particularly in Egypt, where the climate favored the preservation of such materials. P35 is one of the numerous papyri discovered that contribute to the body of New Testament textual evidence, and as such, it plays a crucial role in the field of textual criticism.

In textual criticism, particularly in the context of New Testament manuscripts, the primary goal is to trace the text back to its original form as closely as possible. P35, by virtue of its antiquity, is a critical piece in this scholarly endeavor. The verses it contains allow researchers to compare its text with that of other manuscripts, some of which may be younger or contain variant readings. Such comparisons are essential for identifying and correcting transcriptional errors that may have occurred over centuries of textual transmission.

The text of Matthew in P35 is especially valuable because it contributes to a better understanding of the textual transmission during a period when Christianity was still forming its scriptural canon. Each manuscript, like P35, provides a snapshot of the text as it existed in a particular time and place, offering insights into the scribal practices and textual variations that characterize early Christian manuscripts.

While analyzing P35, scholars focus on the nature of its text, examining its script, the formulation of its letters, and the textual variants it presents. This analysis helps in constructing a more accurate picture of the early New Testament text. The precise study of such manuscripts as P35 underscores the meticulous process of comparing texts to discern the most reliable original readings.

Date of P35

The dating of P35 to the early third century C.E. (200-250) by scholars like Roberts, Skeat, and Philip W. Comfort is primarily based on paleographical analysis. Specifically, the style of the script in P35 closely resembles that of other known manuscripts from the third century, such as P40. This similarity in handwriting includes the forms of the letters, the way the text is laid out on the papyrus, and specific stylistic attributes such as the use of certain ligatures and the shapes of individual letters like alpha, epsilon, and sigma. These specific handwriting characteristics are key indicators used in paleography to approximate the date of manuscript creation, as they reflect the script styles prevalent during particular historical periods. In the case of P35, the similarities with P40 and other contemporaneous texts are what lead these scholars to attribute it to the early third century C.E. The handwriting is remarkably similar to P. Egerton 2 (c. 150-200 C.E.) P. Oxyrhynchus 656.

Paleographical analysis of manuscripts like P35 involves a detailed examination of the script used in the manuscript. This analysis provides insights into the time period in which the manuscript was written. Here’s a breakdown of how the forms of the letters, the layout of the text, and specific stylistic attributes can indicate the dating of P35 to the early third century C.E.:

Forms of the Letters: In P35, the style of the Greek letters can be closely associated with those found in other known third-century manuscripts. For instance:
- Alpha: Typically in third-century manuscripts, the alpha is written with broken bars, giving it an open and somewhat angular appearance.
- Epsilon: Often appears more compact and with a middle bar that doesn’t extend beyond the vertical strokes.
- Sigma: In this period, sigma can be observed with rounded forms and sometimes without sharp angles at the turns, differing from the more angular forms seen in later manuscripts.
Layout of the Text: The layout on the papyrus itself can give clues about the manuscript’s age. During the third century, the use of a more refined and systematic layout becomes apparent, indicating a move towards more standardized book production practices. This includes:
- Margin consistency: Margins might be more uniformly maintained, suggesting a more deliberate approach to text arrangement.
- Line Spacing: Consistent line spacing is another feature, as scribes of this era tended to ensure readability and uniformity, reflecting advanced scribal practices.
Stylistic Attributes:
- Ligatures: These are characters that are connected or combined in script. In the third century, certain ligatures in Greek manuscripts become more prevalent. For example, combinations like epsilon-rho or alpha-nu might be used more consistently, reflecting scribal habits of the time.
- Ink Consistency and Stroke: The thickness of the ink line and the consistency of its application can also indicate a time period. Third-century manuscripts often show a more deliberate application of ink, with consistent stroke widths that help date the script.

These paleographical features are systematically compared with other dated texts to place P35 within its historical context. By observing the similarities in handwriting styles, ligature use, and overall text presentation, scholars like Roberts, Skeat, and Philip W. Comfort have been able to support their dating of P35 to the early third century C.E. This precise analysis is crucial in the broader field of textual criticism, as it helps establish the provenance and historical context of manuscript fragments like P35, which, in turn, assists in understanding their role in the transmission of biblical texts.

Content of P35

Matthew 25:12–15, 20–23

Physical Features of P35

This manuscript falls within the Alexandrian text-type, a classification that suggests it aligns with a group of manuscripts known for their textual fidelity to what many scholars consider being closer to the original texts of the New Testament. Notably, Kurt Aland, a prominent figure in biblical scholarship and textual criticism, categorizes this manuscript in Category I. This categorization indicates that the manuscript is of substantial textual significance due to its age and the quality of its text.

The dating of P35 has been subject to scholarly analysis and consensus. While Aland suggests a 4th-century origin, other noted scholars in the field, including T.C. Skeat, Philip W. Comfort, and the author of this article, argue for an earlier date in the early 3rd century. This earlier dating underscores the manuscript’s value for textual critics who seek to understand the evolution of New Testament texts through the earliest available sources.

Currently, P35 is preserved at the Laurentian Library in Florence, where it is labeled as PSI 1. The preservation of this manuscript in a controlled environment is crucial for its longevity and continued availability for scholarly study. The physical state of the manuscript, combined with its housing, allows researchers sustained access to study its script, orthography, and textual variations, all of which are integral to the ongoing task of New Testament textual criticism.

Textual Character of P35

P35 is classified as part of the Alexandrian text-type primarily due to its textual characteristics that align with other manuscripts of this family. The Alexandrian text-type is known for its concise and rigorous adherence to a more literal translation of the original texts. Key features that categorize P35 within this family include its careful and controlled script, the high quality of its textual content, and the types of textual variants it presents.

Specifically, P35 displays fewer paraphrastic elements and shows a greater consistency with the oldest and most respected manuscripts, such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, which are also classified within the Alexandrian family. This textual alignment includes similar word choices, grammatical structures, and an overall textual integrity that suggests a careful transmission of the original content without unnecessary additions or modifications. These characteristics help establish P35 as a representative of the Alexandrian text-type, contributing to its importance in textual criticism studies.

This manuscript’s inclusion in the Alexandrian text type and its early dating is central to its role in scholarly efforts to trace the New Testament’s textual history. Each manuscript, like P35, adds to the body of evidence that scholars use to assess and possibly reconstruct the original wording of the New Testament scriptures. As such, P35 is not just a historical artifact but also a critical tool in the meticulous work of ensuring that modern translations reflect, as closely as possible, the original texts.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).