Philip W. Comfort on Matthew 5:22

  

Matthew 5:22

 

WH NU            πᾶς ὁ ὀργιζόμενος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ

“everyone being angry with his brother”

 

𝔓⁶⁴⁺⁶⁷ א* B 1424 Origen MSS^{according to Apollinaris, Augustine, Jerome}

nkjvmg rsv nrsv esv nasb niv tniv neb reb njb nab nlt hcsb net

 

variant/TR       πας ο οργιζομενους τω αδελφω αυτου εικη

“everyone being angry with his brother without cause”

 

א² D L W Θ 0233 f^1, 33 Maj Diatessaron it syr cop MSS^{according to Origen, Apollinaris, Jerome}

kjv nkjv rsvmg nrsvmg esvmg nasbmg nivmg tnivmg nebmg nltmg netmg

 

UBS³ cites 𝔓⁶⁷, but there is no need to affix the “vid” (indicating probable but uncertain inclusion) to this papyrus—for it clearly does not have the additional word εικη. This was adjusted to 𝔓⁶⁷ in the third corrected edition and then to 𝔓⁶⁴ in the fourth edition. Actually, the manuscript should be cited as 𝔓⁶⁴⁺⁶⁷ because the two portions belong to the same codex, as does 𝔓⁴ (see Text of Earliest MSS, 71). The addition of the qualifier εικη (“without cause”) must have occurred somewhat early in the transmission of the NT text, perhaps in the early third century, inasmuch as its presence is noted in various manuscripts by Origen, Apollonaris, Jerome, and Augustine. A marginal note in 1424 (ninth century) indicates that the qualifier was not in certain Greek manuscripts or in the Gospel of the Nazarenes (second century). Clearly, this addition was an attempt to soften Jesus’ bold assertion and to thereby justify anger if it is for a good reason. But this insertion must be rejected on internal grounds (had it originally been in the text, why would it have been deleted?) and on documentary grounds. The second-century manuscript, 𝔓⁶⁴⁺⁶⁷, does not include this word, nor do א* B and Origen. Nonetheless, the longer reading was accepted into TR and popularized by kjv—“whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” Modern versions, while rejecting it, note it out of respect for its long-standing history in texts and translations. (Philip W. Comfort, New Testament Text and Translation Commentary: Commentary on the Variant Readings of the Ancient New Testament Manuscripts and How They Relate to the Major English Translations [Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008], 10-11)