Explore the timeline of Greek New Testament variants: could they predate 200 A.D.? Discover the origins.
Were Almost All Greek New Testament Manuscript Textual Variants Created Before 200 A.D.?
Caesarean Text-Type of Greek New Testament Manuscripts
An Eastern form of text, which was formerly called the Caesarean text, is preserved, to a greater or lesser extent, in several Greek manuscripts (including Θ, 565, 700) and in the Armenian and Georgian versions. The text of these witnesses is characterized by a mixture of Western and Alexandrian readings. (Bruce M. Metzger)
Western Text-Type of Greek New Testament Manuscripts
The chief characteristic of Western readings is fondness for paraphrase. Words, clauses, and even whole sentences are freely changed, omitted, or inserted. Sometimes the motive appears to have been harmonization, while at other times it was the enrichment of the narrative by the inclusion of traditional or apocryphal material. (Bruce M. Metzger)
Alexandrian Text-Type of Greek New Testament Manuscripts
The Alexandrian text ... is usually considered to be the best text and the most faithful in preserving the original. Characteristics of the Alexandrian text are brevity and austerity. That is, it is generally shorter than the text of other forms, and it does not exhibit the degree of grammatical and stylistic polishing that is characteristic of the Byzantine type of text (Bruce M. Metzger)
NTTC MATTHEW 12:47: Who Removed Matthew 12:47 From the Bible?
There can only be one reading, which is the original reading. The reading that the other reading(s) most likely came from is likely the original. This is the fundamental principle of textual criticism.
NTTC MATTHEW 6:33: “Kingdom” OR “Kingdom of God”?
Variation Unit: any portion of text that exhibits variations in its reading between two or more different manuscripts. It is important to distinguish variation units from variant readings. Variation units are the places in the text where manuscripts disagree, and each variation unit has at least two variant readings.
NTTC JUDE 1:5: Who Saved God’s People out of Egypt: “the Lord” or “Jesus” or “God”?
Jude 1:5 refers to Jehovah—not Jesus—as the one who saved Israel. Internal consistency and Jude 9 confirm “the Lord” is the Father, not the Son.
NTTC MATTHEW 6:8: “YOUR FATHER” OR “GOD YOUR FATHER”?
Variant Reading(s): differing versions of a word or phrase found in two or more manuscripts within a variation unit (see below). Variant readings are also called alternate readings.
Sir Frederic G. Kenyon (1863–1952): His Contributions to New Testament Textual Studies and the Transmission of the Biblical Text
Sir Frederic G. Kenyon defended the reliability of the New Testament text through papyrology, paleography, and manuscript evidence.
Setting Straight the Indefensible Defenders of the Textus Receptus
While Karl Lachmann was the one to overthrow the Textus Receptus, it would be B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort in 1881 who would put the nails in the coffin of the Textus Receptus. The 1881 British Revised Version (RV), also known as the English Revised Version (ERV) of the King James Version,... Continue Reading →
