This consists of portions of thirty leaves of a codex which originally consisted of about 220 leaves, and contained all four Gospels and the Acts. In direct contrast with P5 and P46it is formed of a succession of quires of only two leaves.
Folio 16 here is of John's gospel. F16v has John 10.7-25, & f16r continues, John 10.31-11.10.
The passages include Jesus the Good Shepherd, his rejection by the Jews, and the death of Lazarus.
Reading lines 6 & 7 (John 10.10-11) of f16v (the default view!):
... ΙΝΑ ΖΩΗΝ ΕΧΩΣΙΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΝ ΕΧΩΣΙΝ ΕΓΩ ΕΙΜΙ Ο ΚΑΛΟΣ ΠΟΙμην Ο ΚΑΛΟΣ ΜΟΙΜΗΝ ΤΗΝ ΨΥΧΗΝ ΑΥΤΟΥ ΔΙΔΩΣΙΝ ΥΠΕΡ ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟβατων
(literally ...) THAT LIFE THEY-MAY-HAVE AND-[THAT] MAY-HAVE- [IT]- ABUNDANTLY. I AM THE GOOD SHEPherd. THE GOOD SHEPHERD THE LIFE OF-HIM OFFERS FOR THE SHeep.
(RSV) I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Verse 11 has a variation from the majority of versions for τίθησιν ὑπὲρ τῶν προβάτων, lays down for the sheep, preferring to use δίδωσιν, offers up, give. The emphasis is slightly different. τίθημι - I place, put, set forth; as against δίδωμι - I give up, I offer up, my life. In the Greek Old Testament δίδωμι is often used in covenantal terms; τίθημι has an emphasis, more perhaps, of the sacrificial offering the priest.
Read the passages in context HERE.
Read more about Chester Beatty Papyrus 1 HERE.
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