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August 05, 2025

Museum of the Bible Opens New Exhibit Featuring the Oldest-Known Complete Copies of Jonah and 1 Peter 

The Crosby-Schøyen Codex provides important insight into how the early church used the Bible
Museum of the Bible Opens New Exhibit Featuring the Oldest-Known Complete Copies of Jonah and 1 Peter 

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 5, 2025 — Museum of the Bible is delighted to announce that the Crosby-Schøyen Codex, which contains the oldest complete copies of the Old Testament book of Jonah and the First Epistle of Peter, is now available to the public for the first time since 1988. The ancient text, written in the Egyptian Coptic language, is one of the oldest liturgical books ever discovered.  

“These sacred texts provide incredible insight into early Christianity,” said Dr. Bobby Duke, chief curatorial officer at Museum of the Bible. “This almost 1,800-year-old papyrus codex contains biblical texts and ancient sermons presented in one volume, which helped encourage a persecuted church. This text and the Megiddo Mosaic exhibition (also currently displayed at the museum) are both incredible windows into the life of the early church.”  

The full display, “Explore the Crosby-Schøyen Codex: An Ancient Christian Treasure,” features seven original pages from the codex, each offering a rare glimpse into one of the five ancient Christian texts preserved within the manuscript: 

  • The Book of Jonah: The earliest-known complete copy of the Old Testament book of Jonah. 
  • The First Epistle of Peter: The earliest-known complete copy of what is now known as 1 Peter. 
  • Peri Pascha (“On the Passover”) by Melito of Sardis: A copy of one of the earliest surviving Christian sermons, written by Melito between AD 160 and 170 and copied and passed down decades later.  
  • A Passage from 2 Maccabees: A passage of 2 Maccabees about the Jews who were martyred under King Antiochus. 
  • An Ancient Easter Sermon: An unidentified sermon for Easter morning, possibly the earliest surviving Christian liturgical manuscript. 

The Museum of the Bible exhibit explores the discovery, timeline and purpose of the codex. Handwritten on papyrus sometime between AD 250 and 350, the codex is believed to be one of the oldest liturgical books ever found, outlining early Christian traditions at a time when it was rare and often oppressed. The order of the texts reveals a storytelling aspect, sharing “The Letter of Peter” before the book of Jonah. Later outlined in the Easter sermon, this structure highlights a message of hope in the face of suffering followed by the story of Easter, which compares the three days Jonah spent in the belly of “a great fish” with the three days between Jesus’ death and resurrection.   

The rare artifact is now on display on floor four in the History of the Bible gallery, allowing visitors and scholars to explore early Christian traditions and learn about ancient Egyptian writing. In addition to the public exhibit, museum staff will digitize the full codex and share it online soon, allowing extraordinary access to this historical document. 

For updates and more information, visit museumoftheBible.org.  

About Museum of the Bible 
Museum of the Bible is an apolitical, non-sectarian organization that invites all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible. Located just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the stunning 430,000-square-foot museum showcases rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history and immersive experiences exploring the Bible. In addition to its educational programs, exhibits and experiences, Museum of the Bible hosts the beautiful 480-seat World Stage Theater. To learn more, visit museumoftheBible.org.