Papyrus P22 — The Farewell Discourse

Physical Description

Two surviving fragments from a Greek papyrus codex, written in a single column. The original pages contained approximately forty-seven to forty-eight lines per column.

Dating the Manuscript

Assigned to the third century on paleographical grounds.

Discovery and Preservation

The fragments are preserved in the University of Glasgow Library and have been catalogued among the early Greek New Testament papyri.

Historical Context

P22 preserves part of Jesus' teaching to His disciples shortly before His arrest. The farewell discourse occupies an important place in John's presentation of Jesus' final instructions.

Textual Characteristics

Its surviving text provides an early witness to the wording of John 15–16. Comparison with other manuscripts permits scholars to identify both agreements and individual textual differences.

Significance for Gospel Preservation

P22 supplies an independent third-century witness to the farewell discourse in John. Its correspondence with later manuscripts contributes to the evidence that these teachings were transmitted in substantially recognizable form through the manuscript tradition.

Sources and Further Reading

1. Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts Digital Collection
   Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. Digital Manuscript Collection.
   CSNTM manuscript catalogue and digital research resources.
2. New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room
   Institute for New Testament Textual Research. New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room.
   INTF manuscript identification and catalogue evidence.