Take Up Your Cross
The earliest codex ever to gather all four Gospels and Acts into a single book — and one of the most important early witnesses to the Gospel of Mark. Reproduced at true scale on genuine Egyptian papyrus, both sides visible in acrylic.
& 9:18–31
(Faiyum)
Library, Dublin
Three of Mark's
best-loved scenes.
One side opens with the hardest invitation in the Gospel — “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” — and climbs the mountain to the Transfiguration, where Jesus' clothing turns glistening, exceedingly white. Turn the leaf and you reach the father of the boy with an unclean spirit, and the cry that has been prayed ever since: “I believe; help my unbelief!”
𝒫45 is the first of the Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri — the earliest surviving book to gather all four Gospels and Acts between two covers. Its scribe copied with a lean, confident hand, trimming and smoothing as he went. Held before you, these are not printed words on a page but a true-scale reproduction of one of the earliest witnesses to the Gospel of Mark.
From the evangelist's century to yours
Take up your cross
This leaf carries Mark 8:34–9:9 on one side and Mark 9:18–31 on the other — the call to take up the cross, the Transfiguration, and “I believe; help my unbelief.”
Mark 8:34–9:9
“Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. … After six days … he was changed into another form in front of them. His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white.”
Mark 9:18–31
“…‘if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.’ … ‘I believe. Help my unbelief!’ … ‘The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men…’”
Made by hand, made to order.
As P. Chester Beatty I, 𝒫45 preserves an early, independent line of Mark's text — the least-copied Gospel in antiquity — standing closest to Codex Washingtonianus. Its lean, fluent scribe and its early date make it a primary witness whenever the wording of Mark is in question.
Common questions
Is the display stand included?
The stand is optional. Choose “Add the engraved stand” to have it shown upright as in the photos, or “Replica only” for the framed piece on its own.
Is it really made on papyrus?
Yes — every replica is reproduced on genuine Egyptian papyrus, then set by hand in a front-and-back acrylic display so both sides are visible.
How long does it take to ship?
Each piece is made to order through a multi-week hand-replication process. Your exact timeline is shown at checkout, and we ship to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Can I see the text translated?
Yes — every leaf has a companion reading page with a full interlinear transcription and translation, letter by letter.
The earliest book of Gospels —
on your shelf.
Museum-grade, made to order, and framed to be read from both sides.
