In this commentary on the
Egerton Gospel, Lorne R. Zelyck presents a fresh paleographical analysis and thorough reconstruction of the fragmentary text, which results in new readings and interpretations. Details surrounding the acquisition of the manuscript are presented for the first time, and various scholarly viewpoints on controversial topics, such as the date of composition and relationship to the canonical gospels, are addressed. This early apocryphal gospel (150-250 CE) provides traditional interpretations of the canonical gospels that are similar to those of other early Christian authors, and affirms Jesus’ continuity with the miracle-working prophets Moses and Elisha, his obedience to the Law, divinity, and violent rejection by Jewish opponents.
Lorne R. Zelyck, Ph.D. (2013), University of Cambridge, is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta. His publications include
John among the Other Gospels (Mohr Siebeck, 2013), and multiple articles on the apocryphal gospels.
"Zelyck’s work provides much fresh primary research on the acquisition of the fragments, which had not been previously available. Moreover, he provides the strongest case for a later dating of these fragments and better reasons for viewing the text as influenced by the Fourth Gospel. As such this is a highly important contribution to scholarship on the Egerton Gospel and it will be consulted by all scholars working on this text for many decades to come."
- Paul Foster,
University of Edinburgh, in:
Journal of Ecclesiastical History, 71.3 (2020).
List of Illustrations 1
Introduction 1
The Egerton Gospel (Egerton Papyrus 2 + Papyrus Köln VI 255) 2
The Fragments of the Egerton Gospel 3
The Plan of the Commentary 4
Previous Scholarship on the Relationship between the Egerton and Canonical Gospels 5
Method for Evaluating the Relationship between the Egerton and Canonical Gospels 2
The Acquisition and Publication of the Egerton Gospel Fragments 1
The Announcement 2
The Provenance of the Egerton Fragments 3
Sir Harold Idris Bell’s Papyrus Syndicate 4
The Deal 5
The Provenience of the Egerton Fragments 6
The Provenance of P. Köln VI 255 7
Other Fragments of the Egerton Gospel? 3
A Description of the Fragments 1
The Size of the Fragments 2
The Order of Fragments 3
The Hand 4
Other Features of the Text 5
The Date of the Manuscript 6
The Date of Composition 4
Transcription, Reconstruction, and Translation 1
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 verso (↓) + P. Köln 255 verso (↓) 2
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 recto (→) + P. Köln 255 recto (→) 3
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 verso (↓) 4
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 recto (→) 5
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 3 verso (↓) 6
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 3 recto (→) 7
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 4 verso (↓) 8
Transcription: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 4 recto (→) 9
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 verso (↓) + P. Köln 255 verso (↓) 10
Translation: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 verso (↓) + P. Köln 255 verso (↓) 11
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 recto (→) + P. Köln 255 recto (→) 12
Translation: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 1 recto (→) + P. Köln 255 recto (→) 13
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 verso (↓) 14
Translation: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 verso (↓) 15
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 recto (→) 16
Translation: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 2 recto (→) 17
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 3 verso (↓) 18
Reconstruction: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 3 recto (→) 19
Translation: P. Eg. 2 Fragment 3 recto (→) 5
A Confrontation with the Authorities (EG 1v.1–26 [P. Eg. 2, 1v.1–20 + P. Köln 255v.1–6<]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 1v.1–26) 2
Analysis 3
Conclusion 6
An Attempt to Stone and Arrest Jesus (EG 1r.1–10 [P. Eg. 2, 1r.1–10]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 1r.1–10) 2
Analysis 3
Conclusion 7
The Healing of a Leper (EG 1r.11–24 [P. Eg. 2, 1r.11–20 + P. Köln.255, 1r.1–7]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 1r.11–24) 2
Analysis 3
Conclusion 8
Jesus’ Strange Question (EG 2v.1–5 [P. Eg. 2, 2v.1–5]) and the Miracle on the Jordan River (EG 2v.6–16 [P. Eg. 2, 2v.6–16]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 2v.6–16) 2
Analysis 3
Synthesis (EG 2v.6–16) 4
Text and Translation (EG 2v.1–5) 5
Analysis (EG 2v.1–5) 6
Conclusion 9
The Question of Tribute (EG 2r.1–18 [P. Eg. 2, 2r.1–17<]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 2r.1–18) 2
Analysis 3
Conclusion 10
An Unidentified Text (EG 3v.1–6 [P. Eg. 2, 3v.1–6]) 1
Text and Analysis (EG 3v.1–6) 2
Conclusion 11
Another Attempt to Stone Jesus (EG 3r.1–6 [P. Eg. 2, 3r.1–6]) 1
Text and Translation (EG 3r.1–6) 2
Analysis 3
Conclusion 12
Conclusion 1
The Relationship between the Egerton Gospel and the Canonical Gospels 2
Theological Profile of the Egerton Gospel 3
Location of the Egerton Gospel 4
Purpose of the Egerton Gospel Appendix 1: Word StatisticsAppendix 2: Synoptic Charts of Parallel PassagesBibliographyIndex
Any scholar interested in apocryphal traditions about Jesus, Early Christian studies, papyrology, and the reception of the canonical gospels, will find this commentary a valuable resource.