Editing Papyrus 137 (section)

=== Particular Readings ===
The term 'Holy Spirit' at verse 8 on the recto is shortened  from '''πνευματι''' to  '''π̣̅ν̣̅ι''' as a ''[[nomina sacra| nomen sacrum]]''. Also in verse 8 on the recto, the dative preposition '''εν'''('in') is not found in [[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]<sup>137</sup> either before 'water' or before 'Holy Spirit'; whereas the standard text of Mark in ''[[Novum Testamentum Graece]]'' (NA28) has the [[dative]] [[preposition]] in the second instance only; "..he will baptize you '''in''' the Holy Spirit", following in this the [[Codex Sinaiticus]].  In omitting a dative preposition in both instances at verse 8, [[Image:C3945eee4633c095c5059f9a67aca5f7.png]]<sup>137</sup> supports the alternative reading of this verse in Mark of the [[Codex Vaticanus]] and all editions of the [[Nestle-Aland]] ''Novum Testamentum Graece'' up to NA25. All four canonical [[Gospel|Gospels]] introduce their accounts of the ministry of Jesus with these words from [[John the Baptist]].  In the [[Gospel of Luke]] (3:16) the dative preposition is found before 'Holy Spirit' but not before 'water'; whereas in the [[Gospel of Matthew]] (3:11) and the [[Gospel of John]] (1:33) both 'water' and 'Holy Spirit' are preceded by the dative preposition.   The fragment otherwise supports no established variant readings from the standard texts for Mark; although the name of 'Jesus' is omitted from verse 17 at the third line of the verso, possibly through [[haplography|parablepsis]] as a scribal error. <sup>[3]</sup>  The editors note that the space presumed on the recto above the preserved lines of the fragment would imply an opening text of Mark of very similar length to that witnessed in the Codex Sinaiticus; contrary to the proposals of [[Karl Lachmann]] and others that some of these verses (especially 2 and 3) might be later intrusions.   

; Present location 
It is currently housed at the [[Sackler Library]] (P. Oxy. LXXXIII 5345) in [[Oxford]].