Papyrus 66 (P66) Manuscript Replica - John 3:7–14

Papyrus 66 (𝒫66) is one of the earliest and most significant surviving witnesses to the Gospel according to John. Commonly dated to the early third century, this Greek papyrus codex—often referred to as Bodmer II—preserves large portions of John’s Gospel and offers critical insight into the textual transmission of the New Testament within the first generations of the Church.

This replica features John 3:7–14, part of Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus. The passage includes the well-known declaration, “You must be born from above,” as well as the comparison of the Spirit to the wind that “blows where it wishes.” The text culminates in the statement that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up”—introducing the theme that leads directly into John 3:16. Preserved within 𝒫66, these verses provide tangible evidence of how foundational Christian teachings were copied, transmitted, and read in the early Church.

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 leaf, allowing viewers to engage with the manuscript as a physical artifact rather than a single flat image. This presentation highlights the codex format used by early Christians and underscores 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.