An ancient Greek papyrus held by Austria’s national library may preserve a lost account of Jesus’ descent into Hades (the underworld) and resurrection, according to researchers who have published the fragment for the first time. The damaged Greek text refers to someone who died and a figure who descended and rose again, language the scholars believe concerns Christ.
The fragment, cataloged as P.Vindob. G 29289, was among unpublished manuscripts in the Austrian National Library’s collection in Vienna. Amphilochios Papathomas and Marianna Thoma, researchers at the University of Athens, examined the writing and published their findings in the journal “Tyche.”
The piece measures just 5 by 7.9 centimeters (2 by 3.1 inches) and carries text on both sides. The researchers date it to between the late third and fifth centuries, favoring the fourth or fifth century. Its precise origin is unknown, but the collection’s history suggests it may have come from Egypt’s Fayum region or Hermoupolis.
Ancient Greek papyrus links Jesus’ descent into hell and resurrection
The clearest clues appear on the reverse. Part of the text refers to a death, while another passage appears to describe death swallowing someone. Near the end, the surviving Greek words refer to a figure who descended and then ascended, which the researchers interpret as a reference to Jesus returning from the realm of the dead.
The scholars connect this passage to early Christian beliefs about Christ’s journey into Hades and his resurrection. They also note that other late-antique papyri discuss the same themes, including a separate text associated with the “Gospel of Nicodemus.”
The front of the fragment appears to address how Christians should live. Its surviving words refer to life’s path, a traveler, the world, and hope for life. The researchers consider it more likely that these lines offered moral guidance than that they narrated events from Jesus’ earthly life.
A possible sermon from Christian Egypt
The researchers suspect a sermon by a church leader or priest in Greek-speaking Egypt. They also consider other possibilities, including a hymn, commentary, or retelling of a biblical passage. Two double-slash marks in the writing may have separated sections of the original composition.
Both sides share the same careful handwriting. Three horizontal folds suggest the papyrus may have belonged to a scroll, though it could also have been part of a bound book. Much of the original text is missing.
The researchers compared its handwriting with other ancient manuscripts, including the “Egerton Gospel,” to help assess its age. They have not identified the author or the original work, which appears absent from surviving medieval literary traditions. Publishing the fragment, they hope, will help scholars identify the text and find other surviving pieces.
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