In any event, the earlier date would not only make Pthe oldest Gospel fragments in existence; it would also supply additional evidence indicating that the Gospel of Matthew was indeed written in the first century, possibly even before 70 C.E., when numerous eyewitnesses of the events of Jesus ’ life were still alive to corroborate the Gospel’s truth.
Igal juhul ei teeks see varasem dateering Pmitte ainult vanimateks olemasolevateks evangeeliumi fragmentideks; see annaks ka lisatõendeid selle kohta, et Matteuse evangeelium kirjutati tõepoolest esimesel sajandil, vahest isegi enne aastat 70 m.a.j., kui olid veel elus paljud, kes olid Jeesuse elus asetleidnud sündmusi oma silmaga näinud ning võisid kinnitada evangeeliumi tõde.