Are there any original complete manuscripts of the Gospels in the New Testament?

Answer 1

AnswerWhile we can make reasonable estimates of when the gospels were first written - Mark in 70, Matthew around 80-90, Luke around 95 or perhaps a few years later, John early in the second century - we do not have any of the earliest manuscripts, or even the early copies made from those manuscripts. All we have is copies made centuries later, and these unfortunately contain the inevitable changes and revisions of the centuries.

One of the very earliest known copies of the gospels and Acts is called Papyrus 45 and is dated to around 225 CE.

Answer 2

No, there are no complete original manuscripts of the Gospels in the New Testament. The earliest existing manuscripts are fragments or pieces dated from around the 2nd to 4th centuries. The complete versions we have today are based on copies of these earlier texts.

Answer 3

No. The originals were written with materials which were more perishable and also would have been used a lot and so wore out. Later materials such as vellum were more durable.

Answer 4

No. The original materials were very fragile, and also as one might expect, the first copies were used extensively and themselves would have worn out simply from much use.