"Jesus said to them, my wife." | Summary and Q&A

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Summary

In this video, a fourth-century fragment of a book written in the Coptic language is discussed. The fragment contains a previously unknown gospel with eight lines on the front and six lines on the back. The most intriguing line in the fragment is "Jesus said to them, my wife." However, it is clarified that this does not mean that Jesus actually had a wife. It is clear evidence that some Christians in the second half of the second century believed that Jesus had a wife. The authenticity of the fragment is further discussed, with the conclusion being that it is likely from the fourth century.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the fragment of the book contain?

The fragment consists of a previously unknown gospel, with eight lines on the front and six lines on the back.

Q: What is the significance of the line "Jesus said to them, my wife"?

This line does not mean that Jesus actually had a wife. It is evidence that some Christians in the second half of the second century believed Jesus had a wife.

Q: Are there any other examples of controversial discoveries related to Jesus?

Yes, in recent decades, there have been numerous examples, such as the discovery of Jesus's tomb and James's ossuary. However, these discoveries should be approached with skepticism.

Q: How did the researcher initially approach the fragment?

The researcher was initially skeptical and analyzed the fragment to determine its authenticity. Through careful examination, they concluded that it was likely from the fourth century and authentic.

Q: Is there any connection between the fragment and the Gospel of Thomas?

Yes, the fragment's content is closely related to a particular saying in the Gospel of Thomas, indicating a possible connection between the two.

Q: When was the first recorded mention of Jesus not being married?

Surprisingly, the first mention of Jesus not being married can be traced back to the same time period as the dating of this fragment. Around a hundred to a hundred and fifty years after Jesus died, the question of his marital status arose, leading to discussions and controversies among early Christians.

Q: What was the connection between Jesus's marital status and early Christian practices?

The question of whether Jesus had a wife or not was tied to discussions and arguments about proper Christian practice, particularly regarding marriage. It raised debates on whether Christians should marry or remain celibate.

Takeaways

The discovery of this fourth-century fragment of a previously unknown gospel, containing the line "Jesus said to them, my wife," has sparked debate and controversy. While it is not historical evidence that Jesus had a wife, it sheds light on the beliefs of some Christians in the second century. The fragment's authenticity has been determined, and its close relation to the Gospel of Thomas suggests a connection between the two texts. It is interesting to note that the question of Jesus's marital status did not emerge until a hundred to a hundred and fifty years after his death and was tied to discussions on Christian practices.