[B-Greek] The Strength of the Text at Matthew 28:18-20

Steven Lo Vullo slovullo at mac.com
Wed Nov 26 00:39:30 EST 2003


On Nov 25, 2003, at 3:49 PM, Danny Dixon wrote:

> Forgive this impropriety, but I do not have a copy of my Nestle 27 
> with me, but I was wanting to know if anyone here has ever given any 
> consideration to the textual strength of the reading of Matthew 28:19 
> as it stands in most versions. Nestle usually has fuller textual 
> aparatus information than UBS4. And UBS4 doesn't seem to question it 
> at all.

NA27 has no variants for the reading in question. It only notes 
variants for OUN and BAPTIZONTES.

> Even so, I understand that Eusebius quotes a portion of it differently 
> than the current translations when he writes, ". . . baptizing them IN 
> MY NAME." What is the textual support for such a reading. What is the 
> strength of the readings found in the current translations like the 
> NASB, NIV, NRSV, which say "baptizing them in[into] the name of the 
> Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?

Actually, Eusebius does not have "baptizing them in my name." The text 
I'm pretty sure you have in mind (III. v. 2) reads as follows:

...POREUQENTES MAQHTEUSATE PANTA TA EQNH EN TWi ONOMATI MOU...

Baptism is not mentioned in the text. Rather, EN TWi ONOMATI modifies 
MAQHTEUSATE ("make disciples ... in my name").

Lake thinks this form cannot be accidental, but notes that there are no 
MSS of the NT containing this reading. He mentions that some have 
thought this text represents an earlier form, while others have 
concluded that Eusebius wished to keep secret the formula of baptism. 
At any rate, EN TWi ONOMATI MOU does not offer a variant modifier of 
BAPTIZONTES, and so is not really probative in that regard. This 
probably (at least partially) explains why it is ignored by both UBS4 
and NA27.
============

Steven Lo Vullo
Madison, WI




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