Subject: the best Manuscripts? |
Bible Note: Greetings Retxar! Your post brings up an interesting point my friend! Age isn't the only criteria upon which textual decisions are made. Among others, the reading which best explains the others is prefered. For instance, in this case, there is nothing objectionable about the theology of v. 37. Thus, it is difficult to imagine any circumstances under which this verse would be intentionally removed. However, if it were not original, it can be understood why someone could have added it - feeling that the Eunoch needed to make a confession for Christ before he could be baptized. So, in this case, the textual decisions are based on several criteria. First the age, then the difficulty in explaining why it would have been removed. It is interesting to note that out of the limited number of manuscripts with which Erasmus had to work, only one included v. 37 at all, and that was in the margin. Yet, Erasmus decided to include the verse because he felt that it had bee omitted by the carelessness of the scribes. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |