How Did We Get the Bible?

How We Got the Bible

Lesson Four:

Manuscript Discoveries & Modern Translations

Why Does My Bible Say Why Does My Bible Say Something Different?Something Different?

““There is therefore now There is therefore now no condemnation to no condemnation to

those who are in Christ those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, according to the flesh, but according to the but according to the

Spirit.”Spirit.”

(Romans 8:1, NKJV)(Romans 8:1, NKJV)

““There is therefore now There is therefore now no condemnation for no condemnation for

those who are in Christ those who are in Christ Jesus.”Jesus.”

(Romans 8:1, NASB)(Romans 8:1, NASB)

The Nature of Inspiration

• Plenary “Full” Inspiration. Lat. plenus “full.” All of Scripture is inspired.

• Verbal Inspiration. Every word of Scripture is inspired.

• Dynamic Inspiration. Although the the personality and environment of the writer was allowed to show through - the Holy Spirit held absolute control of the outcome.

Bible Claims of InspirationBible Claims of Inspiration

““All Scripture is given by inspiration of All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God in righteousness, that the man of God

may be complete, thoroughly equipped may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”for every good work.”

(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

Bible Claims of InspirationBible Claims of Inspiration

““...No Prophecy of Scripture is of ...No Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for any private interpretation, for

prophecy never came by the will of prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as man, but holy men of God spoke as

they were moved by the Holy they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”Spirit.”

(2 Peter 1:20-21(2 Peter 1:20-21))

Reasons Versions DifferReasons Versions Differ

• Style of Translation (Literal, Dynamic or Paraphrase).

• Changes in Language (Archaic forms replaced with modern wording).

• Different Textual Basis (OT – Massoretic Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Textus Receptus, Critical Text, Majority Text).

• Style of Translation (Literal, Dynamic or Paraphrase).

• Changes in Language (Archaic forms replaced with modern wording).

• Different Textual Basis (OT – Massoretic Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Textus Receptus, Critical Text, Majority Text).


• Style of Translation Style of Translation (Literal, Dynamic or (Literal, Dynamic or Paraphrase).Paraphrase).

• Changes in Language Changes in Language (Archaic forms (Archaic forms replaced with modern wording).replaced with modern wording).

• Different Textual BasisDifferent Textual Basis (OT – Massoretic (OT – Massoretic Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Textus Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Textus Receptus, Critical Text, Majority Text).Receptus, Critical Text, Majority Text).


• Style of Translation Style of Translation (Literal, Dynamic or (Literal, Dynamic or Paraphrase).Paraphrase).

• Changes in Language Changes in Language (Archaic forms (Archaic forms replaced with modern wording).replaced with modern wording).

• Different Textual BasisDifferent Textual Basis (OT – Massoretic (OT – Massoretic Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Text vs. Dead Sea Scrolls; NT – Textus Textus Receptus,Receptus, Critical Text, Majority Text). Critical Text, Majority Text).

The Textual Basis of Scripture

Old Testament • The traditional Hebrew text known as the Massoretic Text.

• Critical texts making use of modern discoveries.


What Text Was Used in Translation?

New Testament • The traditional Greek text known as the Textus Receptus.

• Critical texts making use of modern discoveries.


What Text Was Used in Translation?

Texts From Different a Texts From Different a Textual BasisTextual Basis

““for the fruit of for the fruit of the the SpiritSpirit is in is in all goodness, all goodness, righteousness righteousness

and truth.”and truth.”

(Ephesians 5:9, NKJV)(Ephesians 5:9, NKJV)

““For the fruit of For the fruit of the the lightlight consists consists in all goodness in all goodness

and righteousness and righteousness and truth.”and truth.”

(Ephesians 5:9, NASB)(Ephesians 5:9, NASB)

The Hebrew Massoretic Text

The MassoretesThe Massoretes• Jewish scribes (ca. 500-1000) who Jewish scribes (ca. 500-1000) who

followed the recognized followed the recognized massorahmassorah “tradition” of copying and preserving “tradition” of copying and preserving the Hebrew Old Testament text.the Hebrew Old Testament text.

The MassoretesThe Massoretes• They worked in Tiberias, Babylon & They worked in Tiberias, Babylon &

Jerusalem. Jerusalem. • Developed the system of vowel marking Developed the system of vowel marking

used in Hebrew.used in Hebrew.

Hebrew ScriptNo Vowels Markings – Through 500 AD

Vowel Markings – After 500-600 AD

The MassoretesThe Massoretes• Carefully counted every letter of the text.Carefully counted every letter of the text.

• Made the practice of destroying damaged Made the practice of destroying damaged texts to prevent corruption of the text.texts to prevent corruption of the text.

The MassoretesThe Massoretes• The Hebrew Text transmitted by them is The Hebrew Text transmitted by them is

called the Massoretic Text.called the Massoretic Text.

• Most important family - Aaron ben Asher.Most important family - Aaron ben Asher.

Oldest Massoretic Texts

Allepo Codex

• Copied ca. 920 by Shlomo ben Buya’a and verified by Aaron ben Asher. Used by Maimonides. Complete until 1947 when portions were lost in fire and riots.

Oldest Massoretic Texts

Leningrad Codex

• Copied in 1008 from Aaron ben Asher manuscripts. Oldest complete Massoretic Text. Housed in St. Petersberg in the Imperial Library.

Old Testament Time Gaps


Last Book Written

Allepo Codex

400 BC

Ano Domini

400 AD

800 AD

1000 AD

1400 AD920 AD920 AD

1300 year gap1300 year gap1300 year gap1300 year gap

Man Asks…Man Asks…Can We Be Confident That the Can We Be Confident That the Text of the Old Testament We Text of the Old Testament We Have Today Represents the Have Today Represents the

Old Testament as it was Old Testament as it was Originally Written?Originally Written?

The Providence of GodThe Providence of God“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

(Isaiah 55:11)

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

(Isaiah 55:11)

God will not allow His word to be lost forever –

His providence has played a role in the

preservation of Scripture.

Textus Receptus

Desiderius Erasmus

• In 1516 Erasmus published the first critical edition of the Greek NT.

Robert Stephanus

• In 1550 Robert Estienne (Lat. Stephanus) published a revision in Geneva of Erasmus’ text making use of more manuscripts.

• Stephanus’ work came to be known as the “Text received by all” or Textus Receptus.

It Is Clear That…It Is Clear That…• Erasmus & Stephanus had limited Erasmus & Stephanus had limited

access to Greek manuscripts.access to Greek manuscripts.• Yet, the text which they published Yet, the text which they published

represents what is found in the represents what is found in the majority of the extant Greek mss.majority of the extant Greek mss.

• There are 5686 Greek mss of the New There are 5686 Greek mss of the New Testament - Testament - Norman Geisler & Peter Bocchino, Norman Geisler & Peter Bocchino, Unshakeable Foundations,Unshakeable Foundations, (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2001) p. 256.House Publishers, 2001) p. 256.

New Testament Time Gaps


Last Book Ca. 95

Textus Receptus

100 AD

250 AD

500 AD

750 AD

1000 AD

1250 AD

1500 AD15161516


Man Asks Again…Can We Be Confident That the Text of the New Testament We

Have Today Represents the New Testament as it was

Originally Written?

““And in the days of these kings And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the kingdom destroyed and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever”and it shall stand forever”

(Daniel 2:44)(Daniel 2:44)

The Providence of GodThe Providence of God

God will not allow His God will not allow His word to be lost forever – word to be lost forever –

His providence has His providence has played a role in the played a role in the

preservation of Scripture.preservation of Scripture.

Classification of Manuscripts

• The renewed appreciation for the authority of the Bible led to a zealous interest in preserving and classifying Biblical Manuscripts.

Uncial Manuscripts - OlderUncials – Through 900 AD

Minuscules – After 800 AD

Codex Alexandrinus (A)

16 years after the KJV was published Cyril Lucar, Patriarch of Constantinople presented Charles I with a near complete Greek manuscript of the Bible believed to have come from Alexandria dating to ca. 400.

Codex Vaticanus (B)

Since at least 1475, in the earliest catalog of the Vatican library, there is a near complete mss of the Greek Bible believed to date to the ca. 300.

Codex Bezae (D)

In 1581 Theodore Beza, friend and successor to John Calvin, gave Cambridge Library a mss of the Gospels and Acts which he acquired from a monastery in Lyons dating to the 5th or 6th century.

The Preservation of God’s The Preservation of God’s WordWord

““Heaven and earth will pass Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no away, but My words will by no

means pass away.”means pass away.”

(Matthew 24:35)(Matthew 24:35)

Codex Sinaiticus

Constantin Tischendorf Constantin Tischendorf (1815-1874)(1815-1874)

At 19 he was already a At 19 he was already a gifted scholar of classics.gifted scholar of classics.

At 25 he was a university At 25 he was a university lecturer.lecturer.

At 26 he deciphered a At 26 he deciphered a palimpsest (palimpsest (i.e.i.e. “scraped “scraped twice”) manuscript, twice”) manuscript, Codex Ephraemi.Codex Ephraemi.

Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C)

A near complete manuscript of the New Testament from ca. 400 underneath a work of Ephream written over the top of it.


At 27 he published his first edition of At 27 he published his first edition of the Greek New Testament.the Greek New Testament.

In 1844 at 29, he In 1844 at 29, he discovered the oldest discovered the oldest complete NT mss at St. complete NT mss at St. Catherine’s monastery Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai before it in the Sinai before it was burned for was burned for firewood.firewood.

Codex Sinaiticus (a)

Codex Sinaiticus dates to the ca. 300 AD and was elegantly written in four columns on fine parchment.


• When collated back together it was found to contain all of the NT and much of the LXX.

• It also had some 12,000 variants from the Textus Receptus.

• One variant was in Romans 8:1. While the majority of extant Greek mss have the longer reading, a stopped with the words…

“There is there-fore now no cond-emnation for thosewho are in Christ Jesus.”


• A notable variant was found in the end of Mark where a omits 16:9-20…

…but left a large blank where the passage should have been.


Blank Space


Codex Sinaiticus Codex Sinaiticus served as the basis served as the basis for Tischendorf’s for Tischendorf’s future editions of future editions of the Greek NT.the Greek NT.

He published a He published a total of eight from total of eight from 1841-1869.1841-1869.

Constantin Tischendorf (1815-1874)

“No single work of ancient Greek classical literature can command three such original witnesses as the Sinaitic, Vatican, and Alexandrine Manuscripts, to the integrity and accuracy of its text.”Introduction to the Authorized Version

of the English New Testament

Lepzig, Winter 1868

Three Witnesses

Codex Sinaiticus (a)Codex Vaticanus (B)

Codex Alexandrinus (A)

Three WitnessesThree Witnesses

These three uncial mss do These three uncial mss do provide remarkable witnesses to provide remarkable witnesses to the NT text.the NT text.

New Testament Reliability

New Testament Reliability

Author DateWritten

Earliest Copy

Approximate Time Span between original & copy

Number of Manuscripts

Plato 427-347 B.C. 900 A.D. 1200 yrs 7

Herodotus 480-425 B.C. 900 A.D. 1300 yrs 8

Thucydides 460-400 B.C. 900 A.D. 1300 yrs 8

Euripides 480-406 B.C. 1100 A.D. 1300 yrs 9

Caesar 100-44 B.C. 900 A.D. 1000 10

Tacitus circa 100 A.D. 1100 A.D. 1000 yrs 20

Aristotle 384-322 B.C. 1100 A.D. 1400 49

Sophocles 496-406 B.C. 1000 A.D. 1400 yrs 193

Homer (Iliad) 900 B.C. 400 B.C. 500 yrs 643

New Testament

A.D. 50-100 A.D. ca. 150 A.D. less than 100 years 5600

Modified fromModified from Manuscript evidence for Manuscript evidence for superior superior

New Testament reliability, New Testament reliability, CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY

www.carm.org www.carm.org

Modified fromModified from Manuscript evidence for Manuscript evidence for superior superior

New Testament reliability, New Testament reliability, CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY

www.carm.org www.carm.org

Three WitnessesThree Witnesses

These three uncial mss do provide These three uncial mss do provide remarkable witnesses to the NT remarkable witnesses to the NT text.text.

Yet…Yet… Does the age of a manuscript Does the age of a manuscript guarantee its accuracy?guarantee its accuracy?

Does a well preserved mss mean Does a well preserved mss mean it fell into disuse for some reason?it fell into disuse for some reason?

Should accepted readings be Should accepted readings be rejected on the witness of a few?rejected on the witness of a few?

Westcott & Hort

• In 1881 B.F. West-cott & F.J.A. Hort published a critical text of the Greek New Testament using the Uncial mss as their source.• This text omitted words or phrases that had been in Textus Receptus, and listed in the back rejected readings. [No critical apparatus].

Modern Critical Texts

Since Westcott & Hort the two most popular critical texts which follow the same approach are Nestle-Aland and the United Bible Society Text (NU).

Modern Critical Texts

• Both include a critical apparatus which allows the reader to see the manuscript evidence for variants.

The “Majority” Text

• In 1982 Zane Hodges & Arthur Farstad introduced a new approach which considers the weight of evidence for various readings rather than the age alone.

• The Majority Text is very similar to the Textus Receptus except in a very few passages.

““Test All Things”Test All Things”

““Test all things; hold Test all things; hold fast what is good.” fast what is good.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:21)(1 Thessalonians 5:21)

““For the time will come when For the time will come when they will not endure sound they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to doctrine, but according to their own desires because their own desires because they have itching ears…”they have itching ears…”

The Possibility of ApostasyThe Possibility of Apostasy

“…they will heap up for them-selves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.”

(1 Timothy 4:3,4)

“…they will heap up for them-selves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.”

(1 Timothy 4:3,4)

The Possibility of ApostasyThe Possibility of Apostasy

It is Right To… Make certain that copies of Make certain that copies of texts are accuratetexts are accurate

Make certain that translations Make certain that translations are accurateare accurate

This does not reflect a lack of This does not reflect a lack of trust in God or the inspiration trust in God or the inspiration of Scriptureof Scripture

In the days of Josiah the In the days of Josiah the ““Book of the Law” was Book of the Law” was

lost! lost!

In the days of Josiah the In the days of Josiah the ““Book of the Law” was Book of the Law” was

lost! lost!

Modern Translations

The Nature of Variants

•Spelling differences (98% of variants).

•Word or phrase omitted or substituted (e.g. “Jesus” for “Christ”).

•Section omitted (e.g. Mark 16).

2 Peter 1:22 Peter 1:2““Grace and peace be multiplied to you Grace and peace be multiplied to you in in the knowledgethe knowledge of God and of Jesus our of God and of Jesus our Lord.”Lord.”

Gr. Gr. epignosis epignosis (())

Texts From Different a Texts From Different a Textual BasisTextual Basis

“…“…thus you have thus you have made the made the

commandmentcommandment of of God of no effect God of no effect

by your tradition.”by your tradition.”

(Matthew 15:6, NKJV)(Matthew 15:6, NKJV)

“…“…thus you thus you invalidated the invalidated the wordword of God for of God for

the sake of your the sake of your tradition.”tradition.”

(Matthew 15:6, NASB)(Matthew 15:6, NASB)

The Effect On Translation

What effect should Sinaiticus have on the textual basis?

•Footnote variants•Use as a primary source

Since Westcott & Hort…Since Westcott & Hort…

• Editors of translations have been Editors of translations have been forced to choose between the forced to choose between the accepting the “critical text” approach accepting the “critical text” approach and the and the Textus ReceptusTextus Receptus..

• Should age determine accuracy?Should age determine accuracy?• Should the number and distribution of Should the number and distribution of

witnesses determine accuracy?witnesses determine accuracy?

Modern TranslationsModern Translations

Critical Text * Revised Version (British) 1881

* American Standard 1901

* Revised Standard 1946

* New American Standard 1960

* New International Version 1978

Textus Receptus * New King James Version 1979

Critical Text * Revised Version (British) 1881

* American Standard 1901

* Revised Standard 1946

* New American Standard 1960

* New International Version 1978

Textus Receptus * New King James Version 1979

20th Century Discoveries

Major 20th Century Discoveries

•Biblical Papyri•The Dead Sea Scrolls•Silver Scroll Pendant

Biblical Papyri

The Nash PapyrusFour papyrus fragments of the Hebrew Old Testament acquired by W.L. Nash and published in 1903.

Dated to the 2nd century BC.

Contains portions of the 10 command-ments.

Codex Washingtonensis (W)

Purchased from an Arab dealer near Cairo in 1906 and given to the Freer Gallery in Washington DC.

Contains all the Gospels and dates to 350-400 AD.

Not papyri – parchment.

The Nag Hammadi Library50 Gnostic papyri, with 13 complete codices from from the 300s discovered in Egypt in 1945.

Many of these gnostic texts provide early witnesses to the NT texts from which they are altered.

The Rylands Papyrus (P52)Acquired by B.P. Grenfell in Egypt in 1920 and published in 1934. It belongs to the Rylands Library.

Dated to 150 AD.The oldest undisputed fragment of a NT book. (John 18:31-33)

Chester Beatty Papyrus (P46)

Discovered in Egypt and sold to Chester Beatty & Univ. of Michigan in 1930s.

Contains almost all of Paul’s epistles.

First dated to around 200 AD. Some scholars place it into the first century based upon paleography.

Other Papyri Discoveries

• The 20th Century produced many other papyri discoveries of NT Greek manuscripts.

• These were earlier than Sinaiticus and in some cases had readings closer to the Textus Receptus.



Last Book Ca. 95

Beatty p46

Rylands p52Beatty p46

Sinaiticus

100 AD

150 AD

200 AD

250 AD

300 AD

350 AD

150 AD150 AD

350 AD350 AD


50 50 year year gapgap


90-150 AD?90-150 AD?

No No Gap?Gap?No No Gap?Gap?

““Jesus Christ is the Same”Jesus Christ is the Same”

““Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, same yesterday, today,

and forever.”and forever.”

(Hebrews 13:8)(Hebrews 13:8)

His Word will Judge UsHis Word will Judge Us

““He who rejects Me, and does not He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which receive My words, has that which judges him– the word that I have judges him– the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last spoken will judge him in the last day.”day.”

(John 12:48)(John 12:48)

The Dead Sea Scrolls



Last Book Written

Allepo Codex

400 BC

Ano Domini

400 AD

800 AD

1000 AD

1400 AD920 AD920 AD


Sir Fredric Kenyon

“There is indeed, no probability that we shall ever find manuscripts of the Hebrew text going back to a period before the formation of the text which we know as Masoretic. We can only arrive at an idea of it by a study of the earliest translations made from it.…”

Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 1948 printing

• In 1946 a Bedouin named In 1946 a Bedouin named Muhammad ed-Dib Muhammad ed-Dib threw a stone into a cave threw a stone into a cave looking for a goat that looking for a goat that had wondered off.had wondered off.

• He heard the sound of He heard the sound of something breaking.something breaking.

The Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls

• Inside was found pottery Inside was found pottery jars filled with jars filled with manuscripts.manuscripts.

• Over the next decades Over the next decades numerous caves with numerous caves with many other manuscripts many other manuscripts were also discovered.were also discovered.


• The manuscripts were The manuscripts were found to be a library of found to be a library of 100s of religious & secular 100s of religious & secular books stored away before books stored away before the advance of the Romans the advance of the Romans on Jerusalem in 70 AD.on Jerusalem in 70 AD.

• They date from 100 BC – They date from 100 BC – 70 AD.70 AD.


• Among the scrolls were included Biblical Among the scrolls were included Biblical mss of almost the entire the Hebrew Bible.mss of almost the entire the Hebrew Bible.


11QPsalms(a) - The Psalms Scroll11QPsalms(a) - The Psalms Scroll

• When studied it was found that When studied it was found that the text matched the Massoretic the text matched the Massoretic Text almost exactly!Text almost exactly!


1QIsa - The Famous Isaiah Scroll1QIsa - The Famous Isaiah Scroll




Last Book Written

Dead Sea Scrolls

Allepo Codex

400 BC

Ano Domini

400 AD

800 AD

1000 AD

1400 AD

100 BC – 70 AD100 BC – 70 AD

920 AD920 AD




““I will worship toward I will worship toward Your holy temple, and Your holy temple, and praise Your name for praise Your name for

Your lovingkindness and Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for you have Your truth; for you have

magnified Your word magnified Your word above all your name.”above all your name.”

(Psalm 138:2)(Psalm 138:2)

The Silver Scroll Pendant


In 1979, in a tomb near In 1979, in a tomb near Old Jerusalem, a tomb Old Jerusalem, a tomb cave was excavated and a cave was excavated and a small silver scroll neck small silver scroll neck ornament was found with ornament was found with 18 lines of Hebrew dating 18 lines of Hebrew dating from 600 BC. from 600 BC.


The scroll reads, from The scroll reads, from Numbers 6:24-26:Numbers 6:24-26:

““The LThe LORDORD bless you bless you and keep you, the Land keep you, the LORDORD make His face to shine make His face to shine upon you and give you upon you and give you

peace”peace” This is the oldest Biblical This is the oldest Biblical

passage ever found!passage ever found!



Last Book Written

Dead Sea Scrolls

Allepo Codex

400 BC

Ano Domini

400 AD

800 AD

1000 AD

1400 AD

100 BC – 70 AD100 BC – 70 AD

920 AD920 AD


300 300 year year gapgapSilver Scroll

600 BC

Silver Scroll

600 BC

No No gapgapNo No gapgap

Sir Fredric Kenyon

“It is reassuring at the end to find that the general result of all these discoveries (of manuscripts) and all this study is to strengthen the proof of the authenticity of the Scriptures and our conviction that we have in our hands the veritable Word of God.”From The Story of the Bible, Quoted in Josh

McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my

path.”

Psalm 119:105

The Gospel is the Way to Salvation

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Romans 1:16

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