Papyrus 41, designated as P41 in the Gregory-Aland numbering, is an early manuscript of the New Testament that contains portions of the Acts of the Apostles. This manuscript is particularly notable for being a diglot, meaning it includes texts in both Greek and Coptic. Paleographically, P41 has been assigned to the 8th century C.E., making it a valuable witness to the textual transmission of the New Testament during this period.

The Greek text of P41 includes passages from Acts 17:28-18:2, 17-18, 22-25, 27; 19:1-4, 6-8, 13-16, 18-19; 20:9-13, 15-16, 22-24, 26-38; 21:3-4, 26-27; and 22:11-14, 16-17. The Coptic text contains Acts 17:30-18:2, 25, 27-28; 19:2-8, 15, 17-19; 20:11-16, 24-28; 20:36-21:3; and 22:12-14, 16-17. This dual-language feature provides a unique opportunity to study the textual variations and transmission in different linguistic contexts.

The Greek text of P41 is classified as a representative of the Western text-type. This classification is significant because the Western text-type is known for its distinctive readings and variations compared to other text-types, such as the Alexandrian and Byzantine. Kurt Aland, a prominent textual critic, placed P41 in Category III, indicating that it has a significant degree of textual variation but still holds substantial value for establishing the original text of the New Testament.

One notable textual variant in P41 is found in Acts 21:1, where it reads “Παταρα και Μυρα” (Patara and Myra) instead of the shorter “Παταρα” (Patara). This reading is supported by other manuscripts, including Codex Bezae (D), the Latin Vulgate (vgmss), and the Coptic Sahidic version (copsa). Such variants are crucial for understanding the textual history and the geographical and historical context of the New Testament writings.

The significance of P41 extends beyond its textual content. It provides insights into the early Christian communities that used both Greek and Coptic languages. The presence of Coptic alongside Greek suggests that this manuscript was likely used in a bilingual context, possibly in Egypt, where Coptic was the native language, and Greek was widely used for liturgical and scholarly purposes.

The manuscript is currently housed at the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek in Vienna, under the catalog numbers Pap. G. 17973, 26133, 35831, and 39783. Its preservation and accessibility allow scholars to continue studying its text and contributing to the broader field of New Testament textual criticism.

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