The Critical Text – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Critical Text refers to a modern Greek text of the New Testament that is based on the earliest and most accurate manuscripts available, including the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Two other Greek texts are the Textus Receptus and Majority Text. They were developed prior to the availability of the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus.

While some (minor) elements of the Critical Text may be disputed, time has shown that new discoveries of ancient manuscripts improve our understanding of the original Greek text.

The Critical Text (CT) is the basis for most modern English translations, including the NASB, NIV and ESV. The Textus Receptus (TR) is the basis for the KJV and NKJV. A few differences between the CT and TR are noted below.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Critical Text pertains to the New Testament only.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The longer ending of Mark (Mark 16:9-20) is present in the TR but is not found in the CT.
• John 5:3b-4 ["waiting for the moving of the waters..."] is not in the CT. It was likely added as a note to explain why the waters were stirred.
• The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11) is not in the CT, and appears to be a late addition.
• The following phrase appears in the TR between verses 7 and 8 of 1 John 5: "in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth." This phrase does not appear in the CT. For more information, see the Comma Johanneum

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Until the late 1800s, the Textus Receptus was the primary Greek text for New Testament translations. However, in 1881 scholars Westcott and Hort published the Critical Text that included the findings of Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus. Since then, many editions of the CT have been published. The two most common include the Nestle-Aland text produced in Germany and the United Bible Society text produced in the United States. Both editions are identical in terms of the Greek text.

The goal of the Critical Text is to discover the wording of the original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament by comparing and contrasting all existing manuscripts. The text-critical method involves comparing ancient manuscripts, early translations, and quotations from church fathers to reconstruct the most accurate version of the original text. While no human effort is perfect, the Critical Text is likely to be extremely close to what the New Testament authors wrote.

UNDERSTAND

• The Critical Text is a Greek text of the New Testament based on the earliest and most accurate manuscripts available, including the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus.
• Most modern Bible translations (e.g., ESV, NIV, etc.) are based on the Critical Text whereas earlier translations (e.g., KJV) were based on the Textus Receptus and Majority Text.
• Scriptures in the TR but not the CT are Mark 16:9-20, John 5:3b-4, John 7:53-8:11, and a phrase between verses 7 and 8 of 1 John 5.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that modern translations are based on the earliest and most reliable manuscripts shape the way you approach Scripture?
• When you encounter passages that differ between translations, how do you respond in your faith and study?
• How can understanding the history behind the Critical Text strengthen your confidence in the accuracy of God’s Word?

ENGAGE

• How can discussions about the Critical Text help us see God’s hand in preserving His Word through history?
• What do debates over the Critical Text versus the Textus Receptus reveal about the importance of translation in shaping Christian belief and practice?
• How might studying different translations together enrich our group’s understanding of Scripture and its reliability?