Papyrus 52 (𝔓⁵²) — the Rylands/St John’s fragment... Papyrus 52, usually written 𝔓⁵² (or P.Ryl. 3.457 / Gr. P. 457), is a tiny papyrus fragment preserving portions of the Gospel of John (Greek). It is widely held to be the earliest surviving manuscript fragment of the New Testament. The fragment measures roughly 8.9 × 6 cm (about the size of a credit card). It contains a few lines on the recto (front) and a few lines on the verso (back). The recto preserves parts of John 18:31–33 and the verso