| New Testament manuscript | |
_recto_John_1%2c_25-28%3b_33-34.jpg) Recto, John 1:25-28, 1:33-34 | |
| Name | P. Oxy. 4804 |
|---|---|
| Sign | 𝔓120 |
| Text | Gospel of John 1:25-28,38-44 |
| Date | 4th century |
| Script | Greek |
| Found | Oxyrhynchus, Egypt |
| Now at | Sackler Library |
| Cite | R. Hatzilambrou, P. J. Parsons, J. ChapaThe Oxyrhynchus Papyri LXXI (London: 2007), pp. 6-9. |
| Size | [20.5] x [11] cm |
| Type | Alexandrian (?) |
| Category | none |
Papyrus 120, also known asP.Oxy. LXXI 4804, is an early copy of theNew Testament inGreek. It is apapyrusmanuscript of theGospel of John in a fragmentary condition, only containing verses 1:25-28 and 1:38-44.[1][2] It is designated by thesiglum𝔓120 in theGregory-Aland numbering of New Testament manuscripts. Using the study of comparative writing styles (palaeography), it has been assigned by theINTF to the 4th century CE.[3]
_verso_John_1%2c_34-38%3b_42-44.jpg)
The original manuscript was likely acodex (precursor to the modernbook) made of papyrus, of which only three pieces from one leaf have survived.[1]: 6 [2]: 174 The text is written in one column per page, 27 lines per page, with 27-28 letters per line.[3][1]: 6-7 [2]: 174 The fragments do evidence the size of the margins of 2-3cm, which based on the 27 lines per pages would give the original codex a size of 11cm x20.5cm, with likely 95 pages in total to contain the Gospel of John.[1]: 7 [2]: 174 The copyist was likely a professional scribe, who wrote in a style known asBiblical Majuscule.[1]: 6 [2]: 174 The manuscript is currently housed at the Papyrology Rooms of theSackler Library (shelf number P. Oxy. 4804) atOxford.[3]
