Epistle of King Abgar to Jesus – Epistle of Jesus to King Abgar
According to Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, King Abgar V of Edessa, after hearing about the active ministry of Jesus, purportedly wrote a letter to Him requesting that He come and heal him, to which Jesus replied in kind. Whether real or forgeries, these letters were at one point housed at the Church of St. Mary of Blachernae in Constantinople and later at the Church of the Virgin of the Pharos. They were written probably no later than the 3rd century if forgeries, and between AD 30–33 if authentic.
A copy of a letter written by Abgarus the toparch to Jesus and sent to him by means of Ananias the runner, to Jerusalem.
“Abgarus Uchama the toparch to Jesus the Good Savior that has appeared in the parts of Jerusalem: greetings! I have heard concerning You and Your cures, that they are done by You without drugs or herbs: for, as the report goes, You make blind men to see again, lame to walk, and cleanse lepers, and cast out unclean spirits and devils, and those that are afflicted with long sickness You heal, and raise the dead. And having heard all this about You, I had determined one of two things: either that You are God, having come down from Heaven, and so do these things; or [that You] are a Son of God that does these things. Therefore, I have now written and entreated You to trouble Yourself to come to me and heal the affliction which I have. For indeed, I have heard that the Jews even murmur against You and wish to do You harm. And I have a very small city, but lovely, which is sufficient for us both.”
The answer, written by Jesus, sent by Ananias the runner to Abgarus the toparch.
“Blessed are you that have believed in Me, having not seen Me. For it is written concerning Me that they that have seen Me will not believe in Me, and that they that have not seen Me will believe and live. But concerning that which you have written to Me, to come to you—it is necessary that I fulfill all things for which I was sent here, and after fulfilling them, should then be taken up to Him that sent Me. And when I am taken up, I will send you one of My disciples to heal your affliction and give life to you and them that are with you.”