An ancient Ethiopian Bible has revealed hidden words of Jesus after His resurrection, lost for 2,000 years, offering scholars astonishing insights into early Christian teachings and leaving the world both amazed and challenged by what was preserved outside the Western canon.

For nearly two millennia, a passage describing Jesus’ words following His resurrection remained hidden from the wider Christian world, preserved not in Western biblical texts but in an ancient Ethiopian manuscript whose origins predate many accepted scriptures.

The discovery has sent shockwaves through the scholarly community, reigniting debates about the development of early Christian texts and the stories that were left out, altered, or forgotten as Christianity spread across empires.

The manuscript, part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s extensive biblical canon, is among the oldest and most complete collections of Christian texts still in existence.

Scholars at the Institute for Ancient Manuscripts in Addis Ababa have been meticulously examining its pages, some of which date back to the 5th century CE, although the original text may trace back even earlier.

Researchers describe the texts as containing unique interpretations of Jesus’ teachings, narratives, and post-resurrection instructions that diverge in notable ways from the canonical Gospels familiar to most of the Christian world.

“This is not just another version of familiar scriptures,” said Dr.Selamawit Alemayehu, a leading biblical scholar involved in the project.

“These writings give us a glimpse into early Christian communities that existed outside the Roman Empire’s influence, and they contain teachings that were likely known to the faithful in regions far from Jerusalem but disappeared from Western tradition.”

The particular passage that has drawn attention details Jesus speaking to His disciples after rising from the dead, emphasizing themes of forgiveness, spiritual understanding, and a direct connection with God that differs from the accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

While canonical texts describe Jesus appearing to His disciples and offering reassurance, the Ethiopian manuscript reportedly provides a more personal, reflective dialogue that scholars argue could change interpretations of His teachings and the early formation of Christian doctrine.

The Ethiopian Bible itself is notable not only for its preservation of unique texts but also for its breadth.

Unlike the Western Bible, which was standardized through councils such as Nicaea in 325 CE and later canonizations, the Ethiopian canon includes books that were excluded or lost in other traditions, including Jubilees, Enoch, and other apocryphal writings.

These texts were preserved through careful transcription by monastic communities, often in the remote highlands of Ethiopia, which shielded them from the political and religious shifts that reshaped Christianity elsewhere.

The rediscovery and analysis of these passages have led to lively debate among theologians, historians, and linguists.

Some argue that the differences in the Ethiopian manuscripts demonstrate the diversity of early Christian thought and the variety of interpretations circulating before the consolidation of the Western canon.

Others caution that the translations must be approached carefully, noting the potential for linguistic nuances or transcription errors over centuries to influence meaning.

“The implications are profound,” Dr.Alemayehu said.

“We are not only looking at words that may have been hidden or lost; we are examining an entire spiritual worldview that coexisted alongside the early Church as it expanded into Africa.

It’s a reminder that Christianity’s history is far richer and more complex than the simplified story we often encounter.”

The project has also sparked interest among religious communities and the general public, many of whom are fascinated by the notion that Jesus’ own words could have been preserved in a form completely unknown to Western Christians.

Workshops, seminars, and digital exhibitions are planned to allow scholars and enthusiasts to examine the manuscripts and discuss their content, while advanced imaging techniques are being used to capture and preserve the fragile texts for future study.

While the exact theological significance of these hidden words remains under discussion, the discovery underscores the importance of Ethiopia’s Christian heritage and the global dimension of early Christianity.

The manuscript offers a rare window into how faith, interpretation, and scripture evolved differently across regions, revealing perspectives that were marginalized or overlooked by dominant historical narratives.

As researchers continue to study and translate the texts, one question remains at the forefront: how many other manuscripts, preserved in remote corners of the world, may contain insights that could challenge, enrich, or transform our understanding of early Christianity? For now, the Ethiopian Bible stands as a testament to endurance, preservation, and the enduring human quest to capture and transmit the words of one of history’s most influential figures.

This revelation, hidden for 2,000 years, not only illuminates a lost chapter of Jesus’ teachings but also invites scholars and the faithful alike to reconsider what it means to explore scripture, tradition, and the historical roots of faith.