BOSTON — A Harvard professor who caused a big splash when she unveiled a small fragment of papyrus that she said referred to Jesus being married now says it's likely a forgery.
In 2012, Harvard Divinity School professor Karen King presented the fragment, which includes the phrase, "Jesus said to them, my wife."
Since then, other scholars have raised doubts about the fragment's authenticity.
In an interview, King acknowledged that the fragment is likely a fake. She cites an investigative article published on The Atlantic magazine's website last week.
King said she was lied to by the fragment's owner, Florida businessman Walter Fritz. Fritz denies forging the fragment.
King said from the beginning that the fragment cannot be considered evidence that Jesus was married, only that the topic was discussed by early Christians.