Unknown Berlin Gospel

The Unknown Berlin Gospel is a fragmentary Coptic text of an otherwise unused dialogue Gospel. The Egyptian Museum of Berlin in 1967 bought a damaged by fire and parchment codex cataloged as papyrus Berolinensis 22220. Only in 1991 the content was detected in the context of conservation. The manuscript probably dates from the 6th century and probably derives from a Greek original from the 2nd, maybe 3rd century. Show close parallels that the author knew the canonical Gospels (eg Mt 5:13 EU; 26.31 EU; Jn 10:11 EU; 10,30 EU). He quotes freely a word from the Gospel of Thomas: "Who is near me is near the fire, who to me is far away, is the life away ." There are also parallels to the Strasbourg Coptic papyrus.

The gospel consists of a dialogue between the Redeemer and unnamed disciples ( Andrew, John). The words "Jesus ," " Christ " or "disciples" do not occur. A story within a story is possible, but can be due to the fragmentary tradition not sure reconstruct. Presumably, dialogues held shortly before the crucifixion. The content has gnostic hints, but can be assigned to any Gnostic direction. Knowledge leads to salvation, the disciples should not be dominated by matter. A journey to heaven is addressed. The Saviour is represented in dialogue with the cross, which acts as a companion.