Textual Tradition & Languages in the Gospel

gospelsraditionextual

of the

The apostles and evangelists used the normal

writing material of their days.

They wrote on “papyrus”, a rather primitive sort of

paper. This paper was liable to decay soon,

especially if constantly used.

Textual tradition of the Gospel

No wonder then that the original manuscripts of

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John no longer exist.

But from the earliest days hundreds and thousands

of copies were made. Each of these copies was

written out by hand and checked for its accuracy.


After some years copies were made on parchment,

that is: on the skins of animals, and these copies

were practicably indestructible.


Ancient copies of gospel texts

35 papyrus

66 uncial manuscripts

1000 minuscule manuscripts

300 Church lectionaries


Ancient Translations

Latin

Gothic

Syriac

Coptic

Armenian


Since so many copies had been made and

preserved in so many different places,

it was impossible for any individual to change the

text.

The differences would soon be noticed and

corrected by others.


The authenticity of the copies were

scientifically investigated.

The result of this investigation revealed that

the Gospel text has been handed on in all its

PURITY.


In fact, the gospels are the best preserved

writings of antiquity.

For no other profane or religious writing of the

same age can such abundant proof of

integrity be produced.


gospellanguages in the

At the time when the evangelists wrote, it was

customary to write all letters as capitals and

without intermediate spaces. This kind of text

was difficult to read.

Languages in theGospel

PETERTOOKHIMASIDEAND

BEGANTOREBUKEHIMGOD

FORBIDITLORDHESAID


After some centuries an easier way of writing

and reading was introduced, including the

spacing of words and the use of punctuation.


Peter took Him aside and began

to rebuke Him. "God forbid it,

Lord!", he said.


Since all the gospel passages were

written without any divisions, it was

extremely difficult to find any precise text.


For this reason the four gospels were

divided into chapters and into verses

to say the precise text.


Matthew 16:22

The Gospel according to Matthew,

chapter 16, verse twenty-two


Matthew 2:6-10


chapter 2, verses six to ten


Matthew 2:6-10

The Gospel according to _______,

chapter ___, verse/s ___ (to ___)


Mark 6:8-14

The Gospel according to Mark, chapter 6,

verses eight to fourteen


Luke 12:21-23

The Gospel according to Luke, chapter

twelve, verses twenty one to twenty three


John 3:16-18

The Gospel according to John, chapter

three, verses sixteen to eighteen


Matthew 4:17


chapter four, verse seventeen


Any questions so far?


I have a question!

What do you think is the original language of the

Gospels?

Original Gospel Language

Aramaic

Greek

Latin

Languages of the World

(Eng., Mandarin, Filipino, etc)

ThankYou

One yellow paper

1. What are the Synoptic Gospels? Describe

each.

assignment

Textual Tradition & Languages in the Gospel

Education

Transcript of Textual Tradition & Languages in the Gospel