New Testament Manuscripts Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008.

New Testament ManuscriptsNew Testament Manuscripts

Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2008

OutlineOutlineI. The Names of NT Mss.

II. The Number of NT Mss.

III. The Nature of NT Mss.

I. The Names of NT Mss.



OutlineOutlineI. The Names of NT Mss.I. The Names of NT Mss.

John Ryland Fragment (P ) Earliest NT Ms. (A.D. 117-138)

John Ryland Fragment (P ) Earliest NT Ms. (A.D. 117-138)

John 18:31-33, 37-38John 18:31-33, 37-38

5252

Bodmer Papyri Bodmer Papyri

Dated: c. 200 A.D.

Housed: Geneva

Contents: Luke, John (P, P, 1 & 2 Peter & Jude P )

Value: Earliest copy of an Epistle and a Gospel (only 100+ years from the original Gospel.

Dated: c. 200 A.D.

Housed: Geneva

Contents: Luke, John (P, P, 1 & 2 Peter & Jude P )

Value: Earliest copy of an Epistle and a Gospel (only 100+ years from the original Gospel.

75756666

7272

Chester Beatty PapyriChester Beatty Papyri

Dated: c. 250 A.D.

Housed: Dublin

Contents: Most of NT

Value: Earliest copy of

most of the NT

Symbols: P, P, P

Dated: c. 250 A.D.

Housed: Dublin


Value: Earliest copy of

most of the NT

Symbols: P, P, P4545 4646 4747

Codex VaticanusCodex VaticanusDate: A. D. 325-350

Contents: Most of the OT and most of the NT

Value: Has NT and Greek OT (LXX)

Housed: Rome

Symbol: B

Date: A. D. 325-350

Contents: Most of the OT and most of the NT

Value: Has NT and Greek OT (LXX)

Housed: Rome

Symbol: B

Date: A. D. 340Contents: Half of

OT and almost all of NT

Value: One of the oldest and most accurate mss.

Housed: Leipzig, Germany

Symbol: א (Aleph)

:DateA. D. 340 :Contents Half of

OT and almostall of NT

:Value One of the oldest and most.accurate mss

:Housed ,LeipzigGermany

:Symbol א (Aleph)

Codex SinaiticusCodex Sinaiticus

Codex AlexandrinusCodex AlexandrinusDate: A.D. 450

Contents: Almost all of OT and most of NT (plus some Apocrypha)

Housed: British Museum

Symbol: A

Date: A.D. 450

Contents: Almost all of OT and most of NT (plus some Apocrypha)

Housed: British Museum

Symbol: A

Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus

• Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus

Contents: Part of OT and most of NT Date: A.D. 345

Housed: ParisSymbol: C

Contents: Part of OT and most of NT Date: A.D. 345

Housed: ParisSymbol: C

Codex BezaeCodex BezaeDate: A.D. 450 (or 550)


(in Greek and Latin)

Housed: Cambridge

University

Value: Oldest known bilingual ms. of NT

Symbol: D

Date: A.D. 450 (or 550)


(in Greek and Latin)

Housed: Cambridge

University

Value: Oldest known bilingual ms. of NT

Symbol: D





Reliability of NT Documents

643

5686

750

1000

1000

1200

1400

7

10

20

8

7

2001400

25

500

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Pliny

Caesar

Tacitus

Plato

Herodotus

Demonsthenes

Homer

New Testament

# Manuscript Copies Time Gap in Years

Total Number of ManuscriptsTotal Number of Manuscripts

Greek: 5,700

Latin: 10,000+

Ethiopic 2,000+

Slavic 4,000+

Armenian 2,500+

Others 500+

Total 25,000 mss.

Greek: 5,700

Latin: 10,000+

Ethiopic 2,000+

Slavic 4,000+

Armenian 2,500+

Others 500+

Total 25,000 mss.

Total Number of Early CitationsTotal Number of Early Citations

EARLY CITATIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Writer Gospels Acts Pauline General Revelat- Epistles Epistles ion Totals

Justin Martyr 268 10 43 6 3 330 (266 allusions) Irenaeus 1,038 194 499 23 65 1,819 Clement Alex. 1,017 44 1,127 207 11 2,406 Origen 9,231 349 7,778 399 165 17,922 Tertullian 3,822 502 2,609 120 205 7,258 Hippolytus 734 42 387 27 188 1,378 Eusebius 3,258 211 1,592 88 27 5,176 Grand Totals 19,368 1,352 14,035 870 664 36,289

This includes every verse in the NT except 11!







III. The Nature of NT Mss.III. The Nature of NT Mss.A. Known from Comparative Studies

(Psa. 18 cf. 2 Sam. 22)

B. Known from Scribal Practices

C. Known from Bible Translations

D. Known from Textual Criticism

A. Known from Comparative Studies

(Psa. 18 cf. 2 Sam. 22)

B. Known from Scribal Practices

C. Known from Bible Translations

D. Known from Textual Criticism

The Testimony of the The Testimony of the ScrollsScrolls


There are Earlier NT manuscriptsThere are Earlier NT manuscripts

New TestamentNew Testament Most Other BooksMost Other Books

35—150+ yr. gap35—150+ yr. gap c. 1000 yr. gapc. 1000 yr. gap John Ryland--117 A.DJohn Ryland--117 A.D.--five verses from John 18:31-33; 37-38.--five verses from John 18:31-33; 37-38

Bodmer Papyri--200 A.D.--Bodmer Papyri--200 A.D.--most of Luke, John, 1&2 Peter most of Luke, John, 1&2 Peter &Jude&Jude

Chester Beaty Papyri--250 A.D.--Chester Beaty Papyri--250 A.D.--nearly all the NT booksnearly all the NT books

Vaticanus Manuscript--325-50 A.D.--Vaticanus Manuscript--325-50 A.D.--most of OT and NTmost of OT and NT

There are Earlier NT manuscriptsThere are Earlier NT manuscripts

New TestamentNew Testament Most Other BooksMost Other Books

35—150+ yr. gap35—150+ yr. gap c. 1000 yr. gapc. 1000 yr. gap John Ryland--117 A.DJohn Ryland--117 A.D.--five verses from John 18:31-33; 37-38.--five verses from John 18:31-33; 37-38

Bodmer Papyri--200 A.D.--Bodmer Papyri--200 A.D.--most of Luke, John, 1&2 Peter most of Luke, John, 1&2 Peter &Jude&Jude

Chester Beaty Papyri--250 A.D.--Chester Beaty Papyri--250 A.D.--nearly all the NT booksnearly all the NT books

Vaticanus Manuscript--325-50 A.D.--Vaticanus Manuscript--325-50 A.D.--most of OT and NTmost of OT and NT



Noted Ms. Expert: Sir. Frederick KenyonNoted Ms. Expert: Sir. Frederick Kenyon ““The interval between the dates of original The interval between the dates of original

composition and the earliest extant evidence composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down substantially as they Scriptures have come down substantially as they were written has now been removed.were written has now been removed. Both Both the the authenticity and the general integrity of the books authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally of the New Testament may be regarded as finally establishedestablished”” (Kenyon, (Kenyon, Bible and Archaeology,Bible and Archaeology, 288) 288)

Noted Ms. Expert: Sir. Frederick KenyonNoted Ms. Expert: Sir. Frederick Kenyon ““The interval between the dates of original The interval between the dates of original

composition and the earliest extant evidence composition and the earliest extant evidence becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and becomes so small as to be in fact negligible, and the last foundation for any doubt that the the last foundation for any doubt that the Scriptures have come down substantially as they Scriptures have come down substantially as they were written has now been removed.were written has now been removed. Both Both the the authenticity and the general integrity of the books authenticity and the general integrity of the books of the New Testament may be regarded as finally of the New Testament may be regarded as finally establishedestablished”” (Kenyon, (Kenyon, Bible and Archaeology,Bible and Archaeology, 288) 288)



Sir Frederick Kenyon’s Testimony Sir Frederick Kenyon’s Testimony ““The number of mss. of the New Testament, of The number of mss. of the New Testament, of

early translations from it, and of quotations from early translations from it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large that that it is practically certain that the true reading it is practically certain that the true reading of every doubtful passage is preserved in some of every doubtful passage is preserved in some one or the other of these ancient authorities. This one or the other of these ancient authorities. This can be said of no other book in the worldcan be said of no other book in the world”” ( (Our Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55).).

Sir Frederick Kenyon’s Testimony Sir Frederick Kenyon’s Testimony ““The number of mss. of the New Testament, of The number of mss. of the New Testament, of

early translations from it, and of quotations from early translations from it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large that that it is practically certain that the true reading it is practically certain that the true reading of every doubtful passage is preserved in some of every doubtful passage is preserved in some one or the other of these ancient authorities. This one or the other of these ancient authorities. This can be said of no other book in the worldcan be said of no other book in the world”” ( (Our Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55).).

The Number of Variant ReadingsThe Number of Variant Readings1. In 1707 John Mill estimated about 30,000

variants in the known New Testament manuscripts.

2. By 1874, F. H. A. Scrivener counted nearly 50,000 variants.

3. To date there are over 200,000 known variants, and this figure will no doubt increase some in the future as more manuscripts are discovered.

4. But these variants represent only 10,000 places in the New Testament.

5. If one single word is spelled differently in 3,000 different manuscripts, it is counted as 3,000 variants or readings.

1. In 1707 John Mill estimated about 30,000 variants in the known New Testament manuscripts.

2. By 1874, F. H. A. Scrivener counted nearly 50,000 variants.

3. To date there are over 200,000 known variants, and this figure will no doubt increase some in the future as more manuscripts are discovered.

4. But these variants represent only 10,000 places in the New Testament.

5. If one single word is spelled differently in 3,000 different manuscripts, it is counted as 3,000 variants or readings.

Percent of Accuracy of the NTPercent of Accuracy of the NT Westcott and Hort estimated that only about one-sixtieth rise

above “trivialities” and can be called “substantial variations.” It is 98.33 percent pure.

Ezra Abbott said about 9/20 (95 percent) of the readings are “various” rather than “rival” readings, and about 9/20 (95 percent) of the rest make no appreciable difference in the sense of the passage. Thus the text is 99.75 percent pure.

A.T. Robertson said the real concern is with about a “thousandth part of the entire text.” So, the reconstructed text of the New Testament 99.9 percent free from real concern.

B.Philip Schaff estimated that of the 150,000 variations known, only 400 affected the sense; and of those only 50 were of real significance; and of these not one affected “an article of faith….”

Westcott and Hort estimated that only about one-sixtieth rise above “trivialities” and can be called “substantial variations.” It is 98.33 percent pure.

Ezra Abbott said about 9/20 (95 percent) of the readings are “various” rather than “rival” readings, and about 9/20 (95 percent) of the rest make no appreciable difference in the sense of the passage. Thus the text is 99.75 percent pure.

A.T. Robertson said the real concern is with about a “thousandth part of the entire text.” So, the reconstructed text of the New Testament 99.9 percent free from real concern.

B.Philip Schaff estimated that of the 150,000 variations known, only 400 affected the sense; and of those only 50 were of real significance; and of these not one affected “an article of faith….”

What if you received What if you received this message?this message?

"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS""Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"Would you collect the money?Would you collect the money?

"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS""Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"Would you collect the money?Would you collect the money?



””Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS""YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS“"YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS“

Now you are even more sure!Now you are even more sure!

””Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS""YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS“"YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS“

Now you are even more sure!Now you are even more sure!

If you received this If you received this message, you would have message, you would have

no doubt!no doubt!

"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION "Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

"YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION "YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

"YOU #AVE WON TEN MILLION "YOU #AVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

If you received this If you received this message, you would have message, you would have

no doubt!no doubt!

"Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION "Y#U HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

"YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION "YO# HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

"YOU #AVE WON TEN MILLION "YOU #AVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARS"DOLLARS"

Note:Note:• Even with mistakes, 100% of the Even with mistakes, 100% of the

message comes through.message comes through.• The more errors, the more sure you are The more errors, the more sure you are

of the message.of the message.• The Bible has less copy errors than this.The Bible has less copy errors than this.

Note:Note:• Even with mistakes, 100% of the Even with mistakes, 100% of the

message comes through.message comes through.• The more errors, the more sure you are The more errors, the more sure you are

of the message.of the message.• The Bible has less copy errors than this.The Bible has less copy errors than this.

Are These Three Messages Are These Three Messages Different?Different?

1. 1. YOU HAVE WON TEN MILLION YOU HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARSDOLLARS 2. 2. THOU HAST THOU HAST WON 10WON 10 MILLION MILLION DOLLARSDOLLARS 3. 3. Y’ALL HAVE Y’ALL HAVE WON $10,000,000WON $10,000,000

Are These Three Messages Are These Three Messages Different?Different?

1. 1. YOU HAVE WON TEN MILLION YOU HAVE WON TEN MILLION DOLLARSDOLLARS 2. 2. THOU HAST THOU HAST WON 10WON 10 MILLION MILLION DOLLARSDOLLARS 3. 3. Y’ALL HAVE Y’ALL HAVE WON $10,000,000WON $10,000,000NoteNote::• Of 27 letters in line 2 only 5 are in the words in Of 27 letters in line 2 only 5 are in the words in

line 3 (i.e., 18.5 %), yet the message is line 3 (i.e., 18.5 %), yet the message is identical.identical.

• They are different in form but not in content.They are different in form but not in content.• Even with the differences, Even with the differences, 100% of the message 100% of the message

comes through.comes through.• Many NT manuscript variations are of this kind.Many NT manuscript variations are of this kind.

NoteNote::• Of 27 letters in line 2 only 5 are in the words in Of 27 letters in line 2 only 5 are in the words in

line 3 (i.e., 18.5 %), yet the message is line 3 (i.e., 18.5 %), yet the message is identical.identical.

• They are different in form but not in content.They are different in form but not in content.• Even with the differences, Even with the differences, 100% of the message 100% of the message

comes through.comes through.• Many NT manuscript variations are of this kind.Many NT manuscript variations are of this kind.

NT Compared with Other Ancient BooksNT Compared with Other Ancient Books1. The Mahābhārata of India has suffered even

more corruption. It is about eight times the size of the Iliad and the Odyssey together, roughly 250,000 lines. Of these, some 26,000 lines have textual corruptions (10 percent). Thus, it is only 90% pure.

2. Homer’s Iliad: Only 40 lines (or about 400 words) of the New Testament are in doubt, whereas 764 lines of the Iliad are questioned. Thus, the Iliad is only 95% pure.

3. The NT has one-half of 1 percent similar variants. That would make it 99.5% pure.

(Bruce Metzger, Chapters in the History of NT Textual Criticism).

1. The Mahābhārata of India has suffered even more corruption. It is about eight times the size of the Iliad and the Odyssey together, roughly 250,000 lines. Of these, some 26,000 lines have textual corruptions (10 percent). Thus, it is only 90% pure.

2. Homer’s Iliad: Only 40 lines (or about 400 words) of the New Testament are in doubt, whereas 764 lines of the Iliad are questioned. Thus, the Iliad is only 95% pure.

3. The NT has one-half of 1 percent similar variants. That would make it 99.5% pure.

(Bruce Metzger, Chapters in the History of NT Textual Criticism).



There are Better NT ManuscriptsThere are Better NT Manuscripts

The NT The NT Most Other Books Most Other Books 99.9% accuracy 90-95% accuracy99.9% accuracy 90-95% accuracy

The MarabharataThe Marabharata---------90% accuracy---------90% accuracy

Iliad of HomerIliad of Homer-------------95% accuracy-------------95% accuracy

The New TestamentThe New Testament------99.9% accuracy------99.9% accuracy

There are Better NT ManuscriptsThere are Better NT Manuscripts

The NT The NT Most Other Books Most Other Books 99.9% accuracy 90-95% accuracy99.9% accuracy 90-95% accuracy

The MarabharataThe Marabharata---------90% accuracy---------90% accuracy

Iliad of HomerIliad of Homer-------------95% accuracy-------------95% accuracy

The New TestamentThe New Testament------99.9% accuracy------99.9% accuracy

Problem: No Original Mss.Problem: No Original Mss.

Why Did God not Preserve the Original?

Possible Answers:1. It may have been worshiped (cf. 2Kgs. 18:4).

2. It may have been corrupted.

A. the custodian would have the power to change it and control God’s Word.

B. No one can control 5700 copies all over the world.

Why Did God not Preserve the Original?

Possible Answers:1. It may have been worshiped (cf. 2Kgs. 18:4).

2. It may have been corrupted.

A. the custodian would have the power to change it and control God’s Word.

B. No one can control 5700 copies all over the world.

ConclusionConclusion• Only the original text is without any

error.

• The reconstructed Greek text is without any substantial error.

• The major translations are without any doctrinal error.

• Only the original text is without any error.

• The reconstructed Greek text is without any substantial error.

• The major translations are without any doctrinal error.




IV. A Debate on NT Mss.




IV. A Debate on NT Mss.

NT Manuscripts in Dead Sea Find?NT Manuscripts in Dead Sea Find?

Fragment from Mark 6:52-53? (7Q5)

Fragment from Mark 6:52-53? (7Q5)

Translated into EnglishTranslated into English

Fragment from 1 Tim. 3? (7Q4)Fragment from 1 Tim. 3? (7Q4)

Fragment from Mark 4:28? (7Q6)Fragment from Mark 4:28? (7Q6)

B. So m e Re a c ti o n s to O’Ca lla g h a nThe New York Times: "I f Father O'Callaghan's theory i s accepted i t would prove that at least one of the gospels- -that of St. Mark--was writt en only a few years after the death of Jesus." UPI : I t concluded that ". . . the people closest to the events--Jesus' original fol lowers-- found Mark's report accurate and t rustworthy, not myth but true history" (i bid. , 137). Time magazine: I f true, "they can make a bondfi re of 70 tons of i ndigesti ble German scholarship" (cit ed by Est randa, 136).

B. So m e Re a c ti o n s to O’Ca lla g h a nThe New York Times: "I f Father O'Callaghan's theory i s accepted i t would prove that at least one of the gospels- -that of St. Mark--was writt en only a few years after the death of Jesus." UPI : I t concluded that ". . . the people closest to the events--Jesus' original fol lowers-- found Mark's report accurate and t rustworthy, not myth but true history" (i bid. , 137). Time magazine: I f true, "they can make a bondfi re of 70 tons of i ndigesti ble German scholarship" (cit ed by Est randa, 136).

Critics: Some agree and many disagree. Many object to his identification and have

tried to find other possibilities like apocryphal 1 Enoch (see Vanderkam, chap. 14) for some fragments (e.g., 4, 8, 12, & 14).

Some agree, and even Vanderkam admits that it is “feasible” that they contain NT pieces (ibid., 320).

Critics: Some agree and many disagree. Many object to his identification and have

tried to find other possibilities like apocryphal 1 Enoch (see Vanderkam, chap. 14) for some fragments (e.g., 4, 8, 12, & 14).

Some agree, and even Vanderkam admits that it is “feasible” that they contain NT pieces (ibid., 320).

C. Some ConclusionsC. Some Conclusions 1 . T h e fra g m e n ta ry n a tu re o f th e m s s . m a k e s it d iffic u lt to b e d o g m a tic a b o u t th e ir tru e id e n tific a tio n . 2 . N o n e th e le s s , O 'C a lla g h a n h a s o ffe re d a p la u s ib le , a lb e it re v o lu tio n a ry , p o s s ib ility . If tru e ,-- a . It s h o w s M a rk w a s w ritte n w ith in th e life tim e o f th e a p o s tle s . b . T h is e a rly d a te le a v e s n o tim e fo r m y th o lo g ic a l e m b e llis h m e n t. c . M a rk w a s o n e o f th e e a rlie r G o s p e ls . d . T h e N T w a s “p u b lis h e d ” d u rin g th e life tim e o f th e w rite rs . e . It re v e a ls a n e a rly N T c a n o n w ith b o o k s fro m e v e ry m a jo r s e c tio n . f. T h e m s . o f 2 P e te r a rg u e s fo r its a u th e n tic ity . g . T h e a b s e n c e o f J o h n m a y in d ic a te a la te r d a te (A .D . 8 0 - 9 0 ).

1 . T h e fra g m e n ta ry n a tu re o f th e m s s . m a k e s it d iffic u lt to b e d o g m a tic a b o u t th e ir tru e id e n tific a tio n . 2 . N o n e th e le s s , O 'C a lla g h a n h a s o ffe re d a p la u s ib le , a lb e it re v o lu tio n a ry , p o s s ib ility . If tru e ,-- a . It s h o w s M a rk w a s w ritte n w ith in th e life tim e o f th e a p o s tle s . b . T h is e a rly d a te le a v e s n o tim e fo r m y th o lo g ic a l e m b e llis h m e n t. c . M a rk w a s o n e o f th e e a rlie r G o s p e ls . d . T h e N T w a s “p u b lis h e d ” d u rin g th e life tim e o f th e w rite rs . e . It re v e a ls a n e a rly N T c a n o n w ith b o o k s fro m e v e ry m a jo r s e c tio n . f. T h e m s . o f 2 P e te r a rg u e s fo r its a u th e n tic ity . g . T h e a b s e n c e o f J o h n m a y in d ic a te a la te r d a te (A .D . 8 0 - 9 0 ).

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