The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism

401 Pages·1995·32.14 MB·English

by  Kurt Aland

THE TEXT
of the
NEW TESTAMENT

THE TEXT
of the
NEW TESTAMENT
An Introduction to the Critical Editions
and to the Theory and Practice of
Modern Textual Criticism
SECOND EDITION
Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland
Translated by
Erroll F. Rhodes
WILLIAM B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING COMPANY
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
First published as Der Text des Neuen Testaments, second edition,
© 1981 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft Stuttgart
•English translation © 1987, 1989 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505 /
P.O. Box 163, Cambridge CB3 9PU U.K.
First edition 1987
Second edition 1989
Paperback edition 1995
All rights reserved
12 11 10 09 08 07 12 11 10 9 8 7
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Aland, Kurt
[Text des Neuen Testaments. English]
The text of the New Testament: an introduction to the critical editions
and to the theory and practice of modern textual criticism /
Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland: translated by Erroll F. Rhodes. — 2nd ed., rev. and enl.
p. cm.
Translation of: Der Text des Neuen Testaments. 2nd ed.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-0-8028-4098-1
1. Bible. N.T. — Greek, Versions. 2. Bible. N.T. — Criticism. Textual.
3. Bible. N.T. — Versions. I. Aland, Barbara. II. Title.
BS1937.5A42 1989
225.4,8 — dc20 89-27534
CIP
ww w.eerdmans .com
FROM THE PREFACE
TO THE FIRST EDITION
This book is designed as a college text or home study manual for students using
the modern text of the Greek New Testament in any of its various editions (the
Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece in its twenty-sixth edition, the United
Bible Societies' Greek New Testament in its third or a later edition, the Synopsis
Quattuor Evangeliorum in its thirteenth edition, or the Greek-English Synopsis of
the Four Gospels in its sixth edition), enabling them to make full use of it and to
form independent judgments on the text of the New Testament. Its model is the
companion volume by Ernst Wurthwein from the same publisher, Der Text des
Alien Testaments (fourth ed., 1973; English translation by Erroll F. Rhodes, The
Text of the Old Testament [Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1979]), but with the
difference that here the reader's practical needs can receive more attention. The
present book gives the basic information necessary for using the Greek New Testa­
ment and for forming an independent judgment on the many kinds of variant read­
ings characteristic of the New Testament textual tradition. Matters primarily of
antiquarian interest (e.g., the early printed editions of the New Testament, which
have often been discussed in detail elsewhere) have generally been restricted here
to their bare essentials, while more concern has been given (within the compass
permitted by this book) to forming an overall perspective (cf. the numerous plates
and charts), to practical experience in dealing with complex problems, and to de­
veloping sound independent judgment.
The purpose of this book is to introduce readers (including beginners with
no previous experience) step by step to the difficulties of the material, if they will
read it straight through from the beginning. But readers wishing to begin
immediately using a particular edition of the Greek New Testament, mastering its
arrangement and structure first before proceeding to other matters, should begin
with chapter V. Anything not immediately clear or requiring further explanation
(e.g., symbols for manuscripts) may be clarified easily by consulting the detailed
table of contents or the index for references to relevant passages in other chapters,
each of which has been written as a fully self-contained unit, at the cost of
occasional repetition.
Munster, Westphalia KURT ALAND
March 28,1983 BARBARA ALAND
ν
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The first printing of the German edition was sufficiently large, we believed, to
allow us ample time to prepare a second edition. But it sold out so rapidly that
there was less time than we had expected. Thus there was very little we could do
other than bring the text up to date, supplementing it in some places and
expanding it in others. Extensive additions (except for the discussion of
Synopses in chapter V) have been appended to the text in order to avoid the
expense of completely resetting the plates. Where possible the earlier material
has simply been replaced with information as of May 1988, e.g., charts 2, 3, and
4, and the charts of the papyri and uncials, to mention only a few instances.
It was the same with the English edition. The first edition of 1987 was
so popular that within only a few months a reprint was necessary. The second
printing was so rapidly exhausted that another edition became necessary. Con­
fronted inevitably with similar circumstances, the German and English editions
are proceding in parallel.
Scholars interested in more specialized bibliographical information than
we have given should remember this book's purpose as described in the preface
of the first edition. A book three times this size would probably still prove
inadequate, because what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Special
studies by the authors themselves are usually not mentioned. While modern
textual criticism has made considerable advances in comparison to the state
of events in the first half of the twentieth century, its goals are still far from
being achieved. An awesome amount of intensive research and thorough discus­
sion remains before the many (and sometimes too) specialized studies now under
way can make their contribution to an integrated perspective. The present
book is an attempt to promote this. Meanwhile specialized bibliographies can
be of critical significance, such as the volume by J. K. Elliot which has just ap­
peared (cf. p. 47), which offers a conspectus of publications and studies dealing
with Greek manuscripts of the New Testament.
We are deeply indebted to Michael Welte of the Institute for New Testa­
ment Textual Research for general technical oversight of the German edition in­
cluding the preparation of its indexes, and to Erroll F. Rhodes for the English edition,
who has done much more than is expected of a translator.
MunsterlWestfalen KURT ALAND
March 28, J988 BARBARA ALAND
VI
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE
Der Text des Neuen Testaments was written in 1979-1980 and published in 1982.
Although the English translation was completed in March 1983, certain diffi­
culties prevented its immediate publication. By mid-1985 when these difficulties
were resolved, further advances at the Institute for New Testament Textual Re­
search in Miinster necessitated a considerable revision of the text, especially in
the descriptive list of minuscule manuscripts in chapter 3. The present transla­
tion, then, represents a revision of the original German edition of 1982.
Other changes from the original German edition include some adaptation
of bibliographical references for English readers. German illustrative examples
cited in the original text have generally been retained and supplemented with
English parallels. And of course the indexes have had to be compiled afresh.
It is a pleasure to express special gratitude to Eugene A. Nida and Harold
P. Scanlin of the American Bible Society for their support and encouragement of
this translation from the beginning; to Kurt Aland for generously reviewing the
English translation and for providing extensive corrections and supplementary
information in May 1985 to bring it up to date; to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company for meticulous editorial oversight, and in particular for the improved
legibility of charts 5 and 6 which identify the textual contents of New Testament
papyri and uncial manuscripts; and finally to Harriet Rhodes for invaluable
assistance in preparing accurate typescript.
ERROLL F. RHODES
September 29,1986
vn
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE
το THE SECOND EDITION
The reception of the first edition has been most gratifying. We are particularly in­
debted to the many scholars who reviewed it with valuable criticisms and suggestions.
The present revised edition differs slightly from the second German edi­
tion. Chapter VIE consists of two essays on methodology. The materials supple­
mentary to earlier chapters in the German edition have been integrated in the earlier
chapters, necessitating some minor adaptations. The indexes have been thoroughly
revised.
Special gratitude is due to Kurt and Barbara Aland for their patient
assistance with many details, and also to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
for generous and careful cooperation, especially resetting the plates for this edition
to increase its usefulness.
September 13, 1989 ERROLL F. RHODES
Vlll
CONTENTS
Preface to First Edition ν
Preface to Second Edition vi
Translator's Preface vii
Plates xv
Tables xvii
Charts xvii
Abbreviations xviii
I. THE EDITIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 3
1. From Erasmus to Griesbach 3
Desiderius Erasmus
The Complutensian Polyglot
Theodore Beza
Textus Receptus
Colinaeus (Simon de Colines)
Stephanus (Robert Estienne)
Elzevir
The Polyglots
John Fell
Johann Saubert
John Mill, Richard Bentley, Edward Wells, Daniel Mace
Johann Albrecht Bengel
Johann Jakob Wettstein
Johann Jakob Griesbach
2. From Lachmann to Nestle 11
Karl Lachmann
Constantin von Tischendorf
Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton John Anthony Hort
Samuel Prideaux Tregelles
Eberhard Nestle
IX