The Reply of Jesus to King Abgar: A Coptic New Testament Apocryphon Reconsidered (P. Mich. inv. 6213)

Kevin P. Sullivan, Terry G. Wilfong

Research output: Journal ArticleArticlepeer-review

Abstract

P.Mich. inv. 6213, a Coptic papyrus in the University of Michigan collection, is a copy of the apocryphal letter by Jesus to king Abgar that is mentioned both in Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History and the Syriac Doctrine of Addai. This papyrus is distinctive among the many extant copies of the letter because it mimics the appearance of a documentary letter. The present article is intended to present a new edition of this papyrus, to argue for its use as a protective amulet, and to situate this papyrus and the larger Abgar legend in their early Christian context.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalBulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists
Volume42
StatePublished - 2005

Disciplines

  • Biblical Studies
  • History of Christianity
  • Religion

Cite this