List of major textual variants in the New Testament
This is an (incomplete) list of major textual variants in the New Testament, with a focus on differences between categories of New Testament manuscript.
- The Textus Receptus (Latin: "received text") is the name subsequently given to the succession of printed Greek texts of the New Testament which was first collated by Desiderius Erasmus in the 16th century. It constituted the translation base for the translation of the New Testament into English by William Tyndale, the King James Version, and most other Reformation-era New Testament translations throughout Western and Central Europe.
- The Majority Text represents the Byzantine text-type, which was used in Eastern Greek speaking churches and was dominant from the late middle ages onwards. It is similar to the Textus Receptus.
- The modern critical text (e.g. Novum Testamentum Graece) is close to the Alexandrian text-type, which accounts for some of the earliest New Testament manuscripts; it stands behind most modern English translations of the New Testament including the American Standard Version, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible and English Standard Version.
For a more comprehensive list which includes many minor variants, see Textual variants in the New Testament.
Variations between Majority Text/Textus Receptus and critical text
The following list contains texts where the Majority Text is in agreement with the Textus Receptus, against the critical text.
MT = Majority Text. CT = Critical text
Gospels
Matthew 5:44
- MT: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
- CT: But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 6:13
- MT: And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
- CT: And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 17:21
- MT: However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
- CT: Verse omitted
Matthew 18:11
- MT: For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
- CT: Verse omitted
Matthew 20:16
- MT: So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.
- CT: So the last will be first, and the first last.
Matthew 20:22, 23
- MT: But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.
- CT: But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.
Matthew 23:14
- MT: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
- CT: Verse omitted
Matthew 24:36
- MT: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
- CT: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but My Father only.
Mark 6:11
- MT: And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
- CT: And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
Mark 7:8
- MT: For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.
- CT: For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.
Mark 7:16
- MT: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!
- CT: Verse omitted
Mark 9:43-46
- MT: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’
- CT: If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell.
Mark 9:49
- MT: For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
- CT: For everyone will be seasoned with fire.
Mark 10:24
- MT: And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
- CT: And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
Mark 11:26
- MT: But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.
- CT: Verse omitted
Mark 14:19
- MT: And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?”
- CT: And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?”
Mark 15:28
- MT: So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.
- CT: Verse omitted
Mark 16:9-20
- Omitted in the critical text. See Mark 16
Luke 1:28
- MT: And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
- CT: And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you!”
Luke 9:55-56
- MT: But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
- CT: But He turned and rebuked them. And they went to another village.
Luke 11:2-4
- MT: So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”
- CT: So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation.”
Luke 11:11
- MT: If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
- CT: If a son asks from any father among you for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
Luke 22:43-44
- MT: Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
- CT: Verses marked as a later addition
Luke 23:17
- MT: (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast)
- CT: Verse omitted
Luke 23:34
- MT: Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
- CT: And they divided His garments and cast lots. (The first sentence is marked as a later addition)
John 1:18
- MT: No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
- CT: No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
John 5:3-4
- MT: In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
- CT: In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed.
John 6:69
- MT: Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
- CT: Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.
John 7:53-8:11
- Passage omitted in the critical text. See Jesus and the woman taken in adultery
John 8:59
- MT: Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
- CT: Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.
Acts
Acts 2:30
- MT: Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne
- CT: Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, He would seat one on his throne
Acts 13:42
- MT: So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
- CT: And when they went out, they begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Acts 15:24
- MT: Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment
- CT: Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, to whom we gave no such commandment
Acts 18:21
- MT: but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
- CT: but took leave of them, saying, “I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
Acts 23:9
- MT: Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
- CT: Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Acts 24:6-8
- MT: "He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
- CT: "He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
Acts 28:29
- MT: And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
- CT: Verse omitted
Pauline epistles
Rom 8:1
- MT: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
- CT: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom 10:15
- MT: And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
- CT: And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Rom 11:6
- MT: And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
- CT: And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Rom 14:6
- MT: He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
- CT: He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
Rom 16:24
- MT: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
- CT: Verse omitted
1 Cor 6:20
- MT: For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- CT: For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Cor 9:20
- MT: and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law
- CT: and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, though not being myself under the law that I might win those who are under the law
1 Cor 14:38
- MT: But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
- CT: But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
Gal 3:1
- MT: O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
- CT: O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
Eph 5:30
- MT: For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
- CT: For we are members of His body.
Php 3:16
- MT: Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
- CT: Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same.
1 Tim 3:16
- MT: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
- CT: By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
1 Tim 6:5
- MT: useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
- CT: useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
General epistles
Hebrews 10:34
- MT: for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
- CT: for you had compassion on the prisoners, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
1 Peter 2:2
- MT: as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby
- CT: as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby up to salvation
1 Peter 4:14
- MT: If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
- CT: If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
2 Peter 1:21
- MT: for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- CT: for prophecy never came by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
1 John 3:1
- MT: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
- CT: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! And we are. Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 4:3
- MT: and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
- CT: and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 5:13
- MT: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
- CT: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Jude 22-23
- MT: And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
- CT: And on some have compassion, who are doubting; but others save, pulling them out of the fire, and on some have mercy with fear hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jude 25
- MT: To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
- CT: To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Revelation
Rev 22:14
- MT: Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
- CT: Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Variations between Textus Receptus and Majority Text
The following list contains texts where the Majority Text varies from the Textus Receptus. Critical text readings are indicated where these diverge from both.
TR = Textus Receptus. MT = Majority text. CT = critical text
Gospels
Matthew 27:35
- TR: Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.”
- MT/CT: Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots.
Luke 17:36
- TR: Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.
- MT/CT: Verse omitted
Acts
Acts 8:37
- TR: Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
- MT/CT: Verse omitted
Acts 9:5-6
- TR: And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
- MT/CT: And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
Acts 10:6
- TR: “He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
- MT/CT: “He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
Acts 10:21
- TR: Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
- MT/CT: Then Peter went down to the men, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
Acts 15:34
- TR: However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
- MT/CT: Verse omitted
Pauline epistles
Romans 16:25-27
- MT: Verses are placed after Rom 14:23
General epistles
Hebrews 2:7
- TR: You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
- MT/CT: You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Hebrews 12:20
- TR: For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”
- MT/CT: For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
1 John 5:7-8
- TR: For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
- MT/CT: For there are three that bear witness: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
Revelation
Rev 1:8
- TR: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
- MT/CT: “I am the Alpha and the Omega” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Rev 1:11
- TR: saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
- MT/CT: saying, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Rev 2:20
- TR: Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman, Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
- MT: Nevertheless I have against you that you tolerate your wife Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
- CT: Nevertheless I have against you that you tolerate that woman, Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Rev 4:2-3
- TR/CT: Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
- MT: Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
Rev 5:14
- TR: Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.
- MT/CT: Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped Him.
Rev 8:7
- TR: The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
- MT/CT: The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth and a third of the earth was burned up. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Rev 11:17
- TR: saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned."
- MT/CT: saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned."
Rev 14:5
- TR: And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
- MT/CT: And in their mouth was found no falsehood, for they are without fault.
Rev 16:5
- TR: And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things."
- MT/CT: And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, The One who is and who was, the Holy One, Because You have judged these things."
Rev 21:24
- TR: And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
- MT: And the nations shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations to Him.
- CT: And the nations shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
Rev 22:19
- TR: and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- MT: and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the Tree of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- CT: and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Tree of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Other notable variants
See also
- Textual criticism
- Categories of New Testament manuscripts
- Textual variants in the New Testament
- The New Testament in the Original Greek
- Novum Testamentum Graece
- Modern English Bible translations
- King James Only movement
- Bible version debate
Further reading
- Novum Testamentum Graece et Latine, ed. E. Nestle, K. Aland, Stuttgart 1981.
- Bruce M. Metzger & Bart D. Ehrman, "The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration", OUP New York, Oxford, 4 edition, 2005
- Bart D. Ehrman, "The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture. The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament", Oxford University Press, New York - Oxford, 1996, pp. 223–227.
- Bruce M. Metzger, "A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament: A Companion Volume to the United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament", 1994, United Bible Societies, London & New York.