In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified the earliest surviving copy of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (IGT), an ancient manuscript fragment that details episodes from the childhood of Jesus. This remarkable find, dating back to the fourth or fifth century, was made at the Carl von Ossietzky State and University Library in Hamburg, Germany. The discovery has significant implications for the study of early Christian texts and the understanding of how these narratives were transmitted and preserved.
The Discovery of the Manuscript
The manuscript fragment, designated as P.Hamb.Graec. 1011, had long been overlooked in the library’s collection. It was initially thought to be an ordinary document due to its clumsy handwriting and irregular lines. However, Dr. Lajos Berkes from the Institute for Christianity and Antiquity at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Prof. Gabriel Nocchi Macedo from the University of Liège, Belgium, identified it as a portion of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Their meticulous work revealed that this fragment is now the earliest known copy of the IGT, predating previously known versions by several centuries.
Significance of the Find
Dr. Berkes emphasized the importance of the fragment for research, noting that it not only represents the earliest known copy of the IGT but also provides new insights into the transmission of the text. The IGT, like other apocryphal gospels, is not part of the biblical canon but was popular and widely circulated in antiquity and the medieval period. These texts offer additional narratives about the life of Jesus and were an integral part of early Christian communities.
Details of the Manuscript
The papyrus fragment measures approximately 11 by 5 centimeters and contains 13 lines of Greek text, each line featuring around 10 letters. It originates from Egypt and likely served as part of a writing exercise in a school or monastery. This practice was common in antiquity, where scribes and students would copy texts to improve their writing skills. The crude handwriting and irregular lines further support this context.
Deciphering the Text
The fragment’s significance became apparent when Dr. Berkes and Prof. Macedo noticed the word “Jesus” in the text. By comparing it with numerous other digitized papyri, they were able to decipher it letter by letter and confirmed that it was not an everyday document. Key terms such as “crowing” and “branch” matched passages from known IGT manuscripts, further validating their identification.
The Vivification of the Sparrows
The text on the fragment describes the beginning of the “vivification of the sparrows” episode, an account of Jesus performing a miracle as a child. In this narrative, the young Jesus molds twelve sparrows from clay and brings them to life. When Jesus’ father Joseph rebukes him for creating the sparrows on the Sabbath, Jesus claps his hands, and the clay figures come to life and fly away. This story is considered the “second miracle” in the IGT.
Confirmation of Greek Origin
Prof. Macedo stated that their findings confirm the current scholarly consensus that the Infancy Gospel of Thomas was originally composed in Greek. The discovery of this late antique Greek copy supports the idea that the IGT was widely copied and used in educational contexts in Egypt during the fourth to fifth centuries.
Conclusion
This remarkable discovery of the earliest known copy of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas sheds new light on early Christian texts and their transmission. It highlights the widespread nature of apocryphal stories and their role in the religious and cultural life of early Christian communities. The work of Dr. Berkes and Prof. Macedo has provided invaluable insights into the history and preservation of these ancient narratives, underscoring the enduring significance of the IGT in the study of early Christianity.
