Where manuscripts disagree, careful documentation matters. Variants are presented with clear labels for evidence, competing readings, and scholarly interpretation.
Where manuscripts disagree, careful documentation matters. Variants are presented with clear labels for evidence, competing readings, and scholarly interpretation.
Studies for this section are listed below as they are published. Claims are documented and uncertainty is identified where the evidence is incomplete or disputed.
John 1:18 is famous for a textual variant at the phrase often translated “only begotten Son” or “only God.” Early Greek papyri and fourth-century codices preserve materially different Greek forms, including anarthrous and articular θεός readings and articular υἱός, rather than a simple binary switch between two English words.
Read studyJohn 7:53–8:11, the passage often called the pericope adulterae, is a major passage-level variant in the Gospel of John. Early Greek papyri and fourth-century codices at the traditional junction preserve John 7:52 followed directly by John 8:12, while other witnesses contain, mark, or relocate the story.
Read studyLuke 22:43–44, the account of an angel strengthening Jesus and his sweat like drops of blood, is a passage-level variant in the Passion narrative. Early Greek papyri and fourth-century codices do not agree: several major witnesses omit continuous text for the verses at the traditional junction, while Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Bezae include the wording in governed INTF TEI transcriptions.
Read studyThe longer ending of Mark is an important textual variant. Two major fourth-century Greek codices end Mark at 16:8, while the longer ending is preserved in many other witnesses and was known early in Christian transmission.
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