Papyrus 66 (P66) Manuscript Replica - John 3:14-20

Papyrus 66 (𝒫66) is one of the earliest and most significant surviving witnesses to the Gospel according to John. Generally dated to the early third century, this Greek papyrus codex—often identified as Bodmer II—preserves substantial portions of John’s Gospel and provides important evidence for the early transmission of the New Testament within the first generations of the Church.

This replica features John 3:14–20, part of Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus. The passage includes the declaration that the Son of Man must be “lifted up,” followed by John 3:16—“For God so loved the world…”—and the surrounding verses that articulate the promise of eternal life and the contrast between light and darkness. These lines stand among the most theologically influential words in Christian history. Preserved within 𝒫66, they offer tangible evidence of how the Gospel of John was copied, read, and circulated in the early Christian community.

This museum-quality facsimile is produced through an intensive, multi-week replication process focused on historical fidelity rather than modern interpretation. Careful attention is given to manuscript scale, line spacing, Greek letterforms, layout, and nomina sacra conventions, resulting in a reproduction that closely reflects the visual and material character of the original papyrus leaf.

The manuscript is presented in a 8x10 frame designed to display this side of the papyrus, allowing viewers to engage with the manuscript as a physical artifact rather than a single flat image. The presentation highlights the codex format used by early Christians and emphasizes the material reality of Scripture in its ancient form.

This piece is well suited for collectors of early biblical materials, students of Johannine theology, educators, and those interested in the historical transmission of Scripture. It also serves as a meaningful and historically grounded Christian gift for pastors, scholars, or anyone who values the intersection of faith, history, and textual evidence.

About This Replica

This item is a modern educational facsimile created by ManuscriptShop.com. It is not an original manuscript.

The replica is derived from high-resolution manuscript photography made available by the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) and/or the manuscript’s owning institution, and is used with respect for applicable usage guidelines.

This product does not include or distribute original source images, nor does it grant rights to reproduce, redistribute, or commercially reuse the underlying manuscript photography.