Minuscule 559 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε 139 (in the Soden numbering),[1] is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on a parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 11th century. The manuscript is lacunose.[2] Scrivener labeled it by number 518.[3]
The codex contains the text of the four Gospels on 152 parchment leaves (size) with some lacunae (Mark 1:1-14; 4:20-30; Luke 1:1-13; John 1:1-17; 4:9-30; 9:14-20:25). The first pages of Mark, Luke, and John have been taken away for the sake of illuminations.[3] The manuscript is damaged by humidity, and much of the text is illegible.[3]
The writing is in one column per page, 24 lines per page.[2] The initial letters are in gold. The minuscule contains tables of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια (only in Mark), numerals of the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: κεφαλαια at the margin, the Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: τιτλοι in gold, lectionary markings, incipits (notes on the beginning) in red, Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: αναγνωσεις (liturgical notes), subscriptions, numbered Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: [[Stichometry|στιχοι]], and pictures.[4] The Ammonian Sections (in Mark 2:34 - 16:9), in red, were added by a later hand. There is no the Eusebian Canons.[3]
The Greek text of the codex is a representative of the Byzantine text-type. Hermann von Soden classified it to the textual family Kx.[5] Aland placed it in Category V.[6] According to Wisse's Profile Method it represents the textual family Kx in Luke 1 and Luke 10. In Luke 20 it has mixed Byzantine text.[5] It has an unusual readings.[4]
The manuscript was in the possession of Edward Payne, who presented it to Sion College in London (along with lectionaries ℓ 234 and ℓ 235).[3]
The manuscript was added to the list of the New Testament minuscule manuscripts by F. H. A. Scrivener (518) and C. R. Gregory (559).[3] [4]
Formerly held in Sion College Library (Arc L 40.2/G 3),[2] the manuscript is now in Lambeth Palace Library, London.