Letter of Abgar V to Jesus

Fake or not, the Letter of Jesus to Abgar moved people toward Christ and played a significant role in spreading Christianity in Edessa and beyond. Even if it was a later Christian creation, it served a powerful purpose—pointing people to Jesus and strengthening faith.


The text of the letter was:
Abgar, ruler of Edessa, to Jesus the good physician who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting. I have heard the reports of you and of your cures as performed by you without medicines or herbs. For it is said that you make the blind to see and the lame to walk, that you cleanse lepers and cast out impure spirits and demons, and that you heal those afflicted with lingering disease, and raise the dead. And having heard all these things concerning you, I have concluded that one of two things must be true: either you are God, and, having come down from heaven, you do these things, or else you, who does these things, are the son of God. I have therefore written to you to ask you if you would take the trouble to come to me and heal all the ill which I suffer. For I have heard that the Jews are murmuring against you and are plotting to injure you. But I have a very small yet noble city which is great enough for us both

Jesus gave the messenger the reply to return to Abgar:
Blessed are you who hast believed in me without having seen me. For it is written concerning me, that they who have seen me will not believe in me, and that they who have not seen me will believe and be saved. But in regard to what you have written me, that I should come to you, it is necessary for me to fulfill all things here for which I have been sent, and after I have fulfilled them, thus to be taken up again to him that sent me. But after I have been taken up, I will send to you one of my disciples, that he may heal your disease and give life to you and yours

Why Did the Letter Matter?

Encouraged Faith in Christ

The story of Jesus responding personally to a king made Christianity feel personal and accessible.
It suggested that Jesus cared about rulers and nations, not just individuals.
Helped Spread Christianity in Edessa

The letter and the legend of Thaddeus (Addai) healing King Abgar likely encouraged many to accept Christianity.
Whether historical or not, it strengthened the Christian movement in Edessa, which became a major center of early Christianity.
Laid the Foundation for a Christian Kingdom

The letter’s influence helped establish Edessa as a Christian stronghold, paving the way for kings like Abgar VIII and Abgar IX to rule as Christian monarchs.
Edessa became a hub for Syriac Christianity, producing important texts like the Peshitta (Syriac Bible).
Inspired Future Christian Converts

Later Christian missionaries and writers referenced the story to show that even rulers needed Christ.
It reinforced the idea that Christianity was not just a faith of the poor and oppressed but could also reach kings and empires.
Did God Use It?
Even if the letter was a later creation, God still used it to bring people to Christ. Many historical writings contain elements of legend, but the truth of Jesus' power, healing, and salvation remains unchanged.