Major Variants (5 passages)
Mark 16:9-20
The Long Ending of Mark
The original Gospel of Mark may have ended at 16:8. Verses 9-20 are absent from the oldest manuscripts.
Manuscripts Including:
- Alexandrinus (A)
- Codex Ephraemi (C)
- Bezae (D)
- Majority Text
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Minuscule 304
- Armenian mss
Early Church Testimony
Eusebius: Notes it was absent from accurate copies
Jerome: Found in few Greek manuscripts
Irenaeus: Quotes Mark 16:19 (180 AD)
Earliest manuscripts end at 16:8 ('they were afraid'). Some have a shorter ending. The longer ending appears in later manuscripts.
Theological Impact: Affects snake handling doctrine, baptismal requirements, and resurrection appearances
John 7:53-8:11
The Woman Caught in Adultery (Pericope Adulterae)
This beloved story of Jesus and the adulterous woman is absent from the earliest manuscripts.
Manuscripts Including:
- Bezae (D)
- Later Byzantine texts
- Latin Vulgate
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Papyrus 66
- Papyrus 75
Early Church Testimony
Augustine: Suggests some removed it fearing license for sin
Ambrose: References the story
Didymus the Blind: Found in some gospels (4th century)
Absent from all Greek manuscripts before 5th century. Some manuscripts place it after John 7:36, John 21:25, or Luke 21:38.
Theological Impact: Key passage on mercy vs. law; affects understanding of Jesus' approach to sin
1 John 5:7-8
The Johannine Comma (Comma Johanneum)
The explicit Trinitarian formula 'the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one' found only in late Latin manuscripts.
Manuscripts Including:
- Late Latin Vulgate manuscripts
- Codex Montfortianus (16th century)
Manuscripts Omitting:
- ALL Greek manuscripts before 14th century
- Sinaiticus
- Vaticanus
- All early versions
Early Church Testimony
Cyprian: May allude to it (250 AD) - disputed
Augustine: Does NOT quote it in Trinitarian debates
Jerome: Original Vulgate did NOT contain it
Absent from all Greek manuscripts until 14th century. Erasmus famously omitted it, then added it under pressure.
Theological Impact: Strongest explicit Trinitarian prooftext; removal affects apologetic arguments
Isaiah 7:14
Virgin or Young Woman?
Hebrew 'almah' vs Greek 'parthenos' - young woman vs virgin.
Manuscripts Including:
- Septuagint (LXX) uses parthenos (virgin)
- Matthew 1:23 quotes LXX
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Hebrew Masoretic Text uses almah (young woman)
- Dead Sea Scrolls
Early Church Testimony
Justin Martyr: Debates this with Trypho
Origen: Discusses the translation issue
Jerome: Defends virgin translation
The Hebrew word 'almah' means 'young woman of marriageable age' but does not specifically mean virgin. The LXX chose 'parthenos' (virgin) for the Greek translation.
Theological Impact: Central to virgin birth doctrine and Messianic interpretation
Psalm 22:16
Pierced or Like a Lion?
Hebrew 'ka'ari' (like a lion) vs 'karu' (they pierced) - my hands and feet.
Manuscripts Including:
- Dead Sea Scrolls (5/6HevPs) - 'karu/pierced'
- Septuagint
- Syriac
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Masoretic Text - 'ka'ari/like a lion'
The difference is a single Hebrew letter (vav vs yod). DSS support 'pierced' as older reading.
Theological Impact: Key prophetic proof text for crucifixion; affects Christian apologetics
Moderate Variants (7 passages)
Matthew 6:13
The Doxology of the Lord's Prayer
'For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.' - absent from earliest manuscripts.
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Didache (early form)
- Most later manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Latin Vulgate
- Critical Greek texts
Early Church Testimony
Didache: Has similar doxology (1st-2nd century)
Origen: Comments only to 'deliver us from evil'
Tertullian: Does not include doxology
Likely a liturgical addition from early church worship. The Didache (c. 100 AD) has a shorter form.
Theological Impact: Affects the formal ending of the most famous prayer in Christianity
Acts 8:37
The Ethiopian's Confession
'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God' - the Ethiopian eunuch's confession before baptism.
Manuscripts Including:
- Codex Laudianus (E)
- Latin manuscripts
- Irenaeus (180 AD)
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Alexandrinus (A)
- Papyrus 45
Early Church Testimony
Irenaeus: Quotes it (Against Heresies III.12.8)
Cyprian: References it
Appears to be an early baptismal formula inserted into the text. Very early attestation in Irenaeus.
Theological Impact: Affects believer's baptism theology and baptismal requirements
Luke 22:43-44
The Bloody Sweat in Gethsemane
The angel strengthening Jesus and his sweat becoming like drops of blood.
Manuscripts Including:
- Sinaiticus (original hand)
- Bezae (D)
- Latin Vulgate
- Justin Martyr
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Vaticanus (B)
- Alexandrinus (A)
- Later Sinaiticus correction
Early Church Testimony
Justin Martyr: Knows the passage (mid-2nd century)
Irenaeus: References it
Epiphanius: Notes orthodox use against docetism
Complex history - may have been removed by some to prevent docetic interpretation or added to emphasize Jesus' humanity.
Theological Impact: Affects understanding of Jesus' humanity and emotional state before crucifixion
Luke 23:34
Father, Forgive Them
'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' - absent from some early manuscripts.
Manuscripts Including:
- Sinaiticus (original)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Bezae (D)
- Most manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Papyrus 75
- Later Sinaiticus
- Some Western texts
Early Church Testimony
Marcion: May have removed it
Tatian: Includes it in Diatessaron
Some suggest anti-Jewish sentiment led to its removal. Others argue it was added from early tradition.
Theological Impact: Significant for Christian understanding of forgiveness and Jesus' character
John 5:3b-4
The Angel at Bethesda
The explanation about an angel stirring the waters for healing.
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Alexandrinus (A)
- Latin manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Papyrus 66
- Papyrus 75
Likely a scribal addition explaining the superstition referenced in v. 7. Not in earliest Greek manuscripts.
Theological Impact: Affects understanding of folk religion and healing practices in 1st century
Deuteronomy 32:8
Sons of God vs Sons of Israel
Did God divide nations according to 'sons of God' (angels/divine beings) or 'sons of Israel'?
Manuscripts Including:
- Dead Sea Scrolls (4QDeut) - 'sons of God'
- Septuagint - 'angels of God'
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Masoretic Text - 'sons of Israel'
The Dead Sea Scrolls and LXX preserve an older reading suggesting a divine council. Masoretes may have changed it to avoid polytheistic implications.
Theological Impact: Affects understanding of divine council theology and guardian angels over nations
1 Samuel 13:1
Saul's Age Lacuna
The Hebrew text literally reads 'Saul was ___ years old' - the number is missing.
Manuscripts Including:
- None preserve original number
Manuscripts Omitting:
- All Hebrew manuscripts have the lacuna
A clear textual corruption where the number was lost in transmission. LXX omits the verse entirely.
Theological Impact: Minor; affects chronology studies
Minor Variants (5 passages)
Romans 16:24
The Final Benediction
'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.' - possibly a scribal addition.
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Some Latin manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Papyrus 46
Likely a scribal repetition of verse 20. The placement of the doxology (vv. 25-27) also varies in manuscripts.
Theological Impact: Minimal; similar benediction appears in v. 20
Matthew 17:21
Prayer and Fasting
'This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.' - harmonization with Mark 9:29.
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Some Latin manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Papyrus 45
Likely imported from Mark 9:29 by scribes. The 'and fasting' portion is also disputed in Mark.
Theological Impact: Affects exorcism and spiritual warfare teachings
Matthew 18:11
Son of Man Came to Save the Lost
'For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.' - harmonization with Luke 19:10.
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Majority of later manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Papyrus 45
- Sahidic Coptic
Clearly imported from Luke 19:10 by later scribes.
Theological Impact: Minimal; the teaching appears elsewhere
Mark 9:44, 46
Repeated Gehenna Warning
The repeated phrase 'Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.'
Manuscripts Including:
- Byzantine text
- Some Latin manuscripts
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Sinaiticus (Aleph)
- Vaticanus (B)
- Early Alexandrian texts
Verse 48 contains this phrase; scribes added it to verses 44 and 46 for emphasis.
Theological Impact: Affects hell/Gehenna emphasis but not doctrine
Genesis 4:8
Cain's Missing Words
'Cain said to Abel his brother ____.' The Hebrew lacks what Cain said.
Manuscripts Including:
- Septuagint, Samaritan, Syriac add 'Let us go into the field'
Manuscripts Omitting:
- Masoretic Text omits the words
The Hebrew is grammatically incomplete. Ancient versions preserve what appears to be the original text.
Theological Impact: Minimal; clarifies the narrative