Manuscripts of the Manuscripts of the NTNT

Commentary and Excerpts Commentary and Excerpts

From the Book by From the Book by

Neil R. LightfootNeil R. Lightfoot

ReviewReview What Scriptures tell us that the Bible is inspired by God?What Scriptures tell us that the Bible is inspired by God?

– 2 Tim 3:16-172 Tim 3:16-17– 2 Peter 1:20-212 Peter 1:20-21

How many books are in the Bible?How many books are in the Bible?– 6666

How long a period of time did it take to write the Bible?How long a period of time did it take to write the Bible?– 1,600 years1,600 years

When was the earliest human writing?When was the earliest human writing?– About 3000BC in Mesopotamia; mostly on clay tabletsAbout 3000BC in Mesopotamia; mostly on clay tablets

Where and from what date is the earliest Scripture that we Where and from what date is the earliest Scripture that we have?have?– Proto-Sinaitic inscription; done on rock in 1,500BC about Proto-Sinaitic inscription; done on rock in 1,500BC about

50mi from Mt. Sinai50mi from Mt. Sinai What is the significance of Papyrus?What is the significance of Papyrus?

– Job 8:11Job 8:11– Root word for paperRoot word for paper– Biblios = paper in Greek, Biblion = papyrus roll, Biblia = Biblios = paper in Greek, Biblion = papyrus roll, Biblia =

rolls and it meant “the Books”, eventually came to me rolls and it meant “the Books”, eventually came to me “the Book of Holy Scripture” or Bible“the Book of Holy Scripture” or Bible

What is a Codex?What is a Codex?– The earliest form of a bookThe earliest form of a book

OverviewOverview

1.1. What is a manuscriptWhat is a manuscript2.2. Handwriting stylesHandwriting styles3.3. Two major types of New Two major types of New

Testament manuscriptTestament manuscript1.1. UncialsUncials2.2. MinusculesMinuscules

4.4. Three Important UncialsThree Important Uncials5.5. QuizQuiz

Manuscripts of the New Manuscripts of the New TestamentTestament

The many books of the NT were The many books of the NT were undoubtedly written on Papyrus rollsundoubtedly written on Papyrus rolls– With constant use would not last a decadeWith constant use would not last a decade– However many copies were made so However many copies were made so

writings were not lostwritings were not lost These copies are called “manuscripts”These copies are called “manuscripts”

Several hundred have dates on them Several hundred have dates on them and these are helpful in dating the and these are helpful in dating the ones that are not datedones that are not dated

Questions that are asked: HandwritingQuestions that are asked: Handwriting– Letters large or small, words written Letters large or small, words written

together or separated, how many columns together or separated, how many columns to a page, any punctuation, paragraphs, to a page, any punctuation, paragraphs, plain letters or elaborate and complexplain letters or elaborate and complex

Major TypesMajor Types Two major types of NT manuscriptsTwo major types of NT manuscripts

– Uncials are the earliest and most importantUncials are the earliest and most important Written in all capital lettersWritten in all capital letters

– The larger group of manuscriptsThe larger group of manuscripts Cursives or MinusculesCursives or Minuscules Smaller letters and more cursive likeSmaller letters and more cursive like Made their debut in the 9Made their debut in the 9thth century and are less century and are less

valuablevaluable– There are over 5,300 NT manuscriptsThere are over 5,300 NT manuscripts

Most do not contain the entire NT, only a fewMost do not contain the entire NT, only a few The NT is still the best-attested book from the ancient The NT is still the best-attested book from the ancient

worldworld A complete hand produced NT would be too bulky A complete hand produced NT would be too bulky

– Copies fit one of four categoriesCopies fit one of four categories The four GospelsThe four Gospels Acts and General EpistlesActs and General Epistles The Pauline EpistlesThe Pauline Epistles The Book of RevelationThe Book of Revelation

Major TypesMajor Types The writings probably circulated individually at The writings probably circulated individually at

firstfirst– Then joined with other booksThen joined with other books– Finally combined into one of the four categoriesFinally combined into one of the four categories– For this reason most of our manuscripts today do not For this reason most of our manuscripts today do not

contain all of the NT bookscontain all of the NT books Of the 5,300 the vast majority are minuscules Of the 5,300 the vast majority are minuscules

dating from the 9dating from the 9thth – 16 – 16thth century century The Uncials number about 650The Uncials number about 650 Uncial and Cursive writing was in use: the various Uncial and Cursive writing was in use: the various

NT letters were probably dictated (Rom 16:22, 1 NT letters were probably dictated (Rom 16:22, 1 Peter 5:12,) so at first were written cursivelyPeter 5:12,) so at first were written cursively

As copied though they were written in book handAs copied though they were written in book hand Uncials use large letters without intervening Uncials use large letters without intervening

spaces between the words and little punctuationspaces between the words and little punctuation– Unfinished words were completed on the next line so Unfinished words were completed on the next line so

the columns remained straightthe columns remained straight Of the 650 Uncials: 95 Papyri and 270 Of the 650 Uncials: 95 Papyri and 270

Lectionaries which were especially designed for Lectionaries which were especially designed for public readingpublic reading

Major TypesMajor Types 280 Uncial manuscripts are on 280 Uncial manuscripts are on

parchment dating from the 3parchment dating from the 3rdrd or or 44thth century to the 10 century to the 10thth century century

The Important UncialsThe Important Uncials The most important are the oldestThe most important are the oldest

– About 50 papyri date to 2About 50 papyri date to 2ndnd – 4 – 4thth CenturyCentury

The oldest Vellum manuscripts are The oldest Vellum manuscripts are complete or almost complete complete or almost complete copies of the NT and have copies of the NT and have practically all of the OT as wellpractically all of the OT as well– These old copies are three in numberThese old copies are three in number

Vatican, Sinaitic, AlexandrianVatican, Sinaitic, Alexandrian

– They date back to 300 – 450 A.D.They date back to 300 – 450 A.D.– These are the oldest Bibles in the These are the oldest Bibles in the

worldworld

Vatican ManuscriptVatican Manuscript Fourth centuryFourth century Acknowledged as being the most important witness on the text of Acknowledged as being the most important witness on the text of

the NTthe NT– Located in the Vatican library in RomeLocated in the Vatican library in Rome– Been there since 1481, listed in the catalog but may have Been there since 1481, listed in the catalog but may have

been there since 1448been there since 1448 1533: a correspondent of Erasmus sent him a select set of 1533: a correspondent of Erasmus sent him a select set of

readingsreadings 1669: Bartolocci makes a collation of the various readings, not 1669: Bartolocci makes a collation of the various readings, not

published until 1819published until 1819 1720 and 1780: imperfect collations made1720 and 1780: imperfect collations made Napoleon carried it to Paris after conquering Rome: stayed there Napoleon carried it to Paris after conquering Rome: stayed there

until 1815 when it was returneduntil 1815 when it was returned While in Paris studied by Hug and its importance and age verifiedWhile in Paris studied by Hug and its importance and age verified 1843: Constantin Tischendorf allowed to see it for 6 hours1843: Constantin Tischendorf allowed to see it for 6 hours 1844: De Muralt allowed 9 hours1844: De Muralt allowed 9 hours 1845: Tregelles allowed to see it but not copy anything1845: Tregelles allowed to see it but not copy anything 1857 and 1859 Cardinal Mai published deeply flawed editions1857 and 1859 Cardinal Mai published deeply flawed editions 1866: Tischendorf allowed six days study of three hours each and 1866: Tischendorf allowed six days study of three hours each and

copied twenty pages without authorizationcopied twenty pages without authorization 1867: Tischendorf able to publish a very accurate edition1867: Tischendorf able to publish a very accurate edition 1886-81 Roman editions appeared1886-81 Roman editions appeared 1889-90 finally a definitive photographic facsimile of the entire 1889-90 finally a definitive photographic facsimile of the entire

manuscriptmanuscript

Vatican ManuscriptsVatican Manuscripts The manuscript contains in Greek almost all The manuscript contains in Greek almost all

of the OT and NTof the OT and NT– The beginning is lost through Gen 46:28The beginning is lost through Gen 46:28– Psalms 106-138 is lostPsalms 106-138 is lost– Heb 9:14 through Tim, Titus, and RevHeb 9:14 through Tim, Titus, and Rev

The order follows typical Greek The order follows typical Greek It is a bound Codex on Vellum (759) It is a bound Codex on Vellum (759) Originally in beautiful writing Originally in beautiful writing

– Later copied over by another scribe due to fading Later copied over by another scribe due to fading ink but they messed it up (after 1600 years most of ink but they messed it up (after 1600 years most of the original ink has not faded)the original ink has not faded)

Earliest of the great UncialsEarliest of the great Uncials Printed Greek NT today relies heavily on the Printed Greek NT today relies heavily on the

Vatican CodexVatican Codex The Vatican Codex does not have Mark 16:9-The Vatican Codex does not have Mark 16:9-

20 but there is a space where it should be20 but there is a space where it should be

The Sinaitic ManuscriptThe Sinaitic Manuscript Almost equally important as the Almost equally important as the

VaticanVatican Discovered by Constantin Discovered by Constantin

TischendorfTischendorf– Great textual criticGreat textual critic

Found at St. Catherine’s Found at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mt. SinaiMonastery on Mt. Sinai– The story of this manuscript The story of this manuscript

deserves its own complete deserves its own complete discussion laterdiscussion later

The Alexandrian The Alexandrian ManuscriptManuscript 33rdrd in rank among the great Vellum in rank among the great Vellum

Uncials is the AlexandrianUncials is the Alexandrian Called the Alexandrian because it resided Called the Alexandrian because it resided

there for several centuriesthere for several centuries Brought from Alexandria to Brought from Alexandria to

Constantinople by Cyril Lucar; who in Constantinople by Cyril Lucar; who in 1621 became the Greek Patriarch of 1621 became the Greek Patriarch of Constantinople Constantinople – Cyril gave the Codex to Sir Thomas Roe Cyril gave the Codex to Sir Thomas Roe

as a gift to king James I of Englandas a gift to king James I of England– James I died before it got there so it James I died before it got there so it

was presented to king Charles I on New was presented to king Charles I on New Year’s EveYear’s Eve

In 1731 it survived the fire at the Royal In 1731 it survived the fire at the Royal LibraryLibrary– Dr. Richard Bentley ran in to the fire in Dr. Richard Bentley ran in to the fire in

his nightgown and wig and carried the his nightgown and wig and carried the volumes out under his armvolumes out under his arm

The Alexandrian The Alexandrian ManuscriptManuscript

King George II donated the Royal Library to the King George II donated the Royal Library to the British MuseumBritish Museum

The manuscript is in the museum today in four The manuscript is in the museum today in four volumes bearing the crest of Charles I and it contains volumes bearing the crest of Charles I and it contains both OT and NTboth OT and NT

At the end are appended 1 Clement and a part of 2 At the end are appended 1 Clement and a part of 2 ClementClement– 1 Clement presumably written by Clement of 1 Clement presumably written by Clement of

Rome about AD 95Rome about AD 95– 2 Clement is a sermon from the mid-second 2 Clement is a sermon from the mid-second

centurycentury In the early Church in Egypt 1 Clement may have In the early Church in Egypt 1 Clement may have

had canonical or semi-canonical statushad canonical or semi-canonical status Of all the NT manuscripts the Alexandrian is the only Of all the NT manuscripts the Alexandrian is the only

Greek to include ClementGreek to include Clement

The Alexandrian The Alexandrian ManuscriptManuscript Vellum 773 leavesVellum 773 leaves

– Ten leaves missing from OTTen leaves missing from OT– NT has more lossNT has more loss

Noticeably different from other UncialsNoticeably different from other Uncials– Heavier handwritingHeavier handwriting– Letters finished off with added touches (serifs)Letters finished off with added touches (serifs)– Enlarged letters to mark paragraphsEnlarged letters to mark paragraphs– Red ink used for the first line of each bookRed ink used for the first line of each book– These features date it in the 5These features date it in the 5thth century century– Quality of the text varies because it was Quality of the text varies because it was

complied from various individual copies of complied from various individual copies of booksbooks

– Text in Acts, Epistles, and Revelation is good Text in Acts, Epistles, and Revelation is good but not so good in Gospels (later style of but not so good in Gospels (later style of writing)writing)

– Some technical distinctionsSome technical distinctions– Alexandrian was the first of the three great Alexandrian was the first of the three great

Uncials to come to lightUncials to come to light

DiscussionDiscussion What is a manuscript?What is a manuscript?

– Any handwritten copy of scriptureAny handwritten copy of scripture What ways can we date them?What ways can we date them?

– Writing style, syntax, form of letters etc.Writing style, syntax, form of letters etc. Differentiate between Uncial and Minuscules?Differentiate between Uncial and Minuscules?

– Uncials = large capital letters and no punctuation Uncials = large capital letters and no punctuation while Minuscules used cursive writing and some while Minuscules used cursive writing and some adornmentsadornments

Which is the most important group for NT text?Which is the most important group for NT text?– MinusculesMinuscules

What are the names of the three great Vellum What are the names of the three great Vellum Uncials?Uncials?– Vatican, Siniatic, AlexandrianVatican, Siniatic, Alexandrian

Where is each today?Where is each today?– Vatican, England, British MuseumVatican, England, British Museum

What are some features of the Alexandrian What are some features of the Alexandrian Codex?Codex?– Fifth century, heavier handwriting, punctuation, Fifth century, heavier handwriting, punctuation,

colored ink for first line of each book, enlarged letters colored ink for first line of each book, enlarged letters to mark paragraphs, quality of the text variesto mark paragraphs, quality of the text varies