When Vaticanus and Sinaticus collide
Codecies Vaticanus and Sinaticus are considered to be the foremost manuscripts when it comes to textual criticism. The manuscripts are supposedly dated to the early to mid 4th Century.
These two manuscripts happen to disagree in literally thousands of places in the Gospels alone. Many of these differences are not important and are minor in their difference. There are, however, major differences between the two.
In this study we will have a look at some of the disagreements between the two manuscripts.
Matthew 19:29 Vaticanus omits “or wife”, Sinaticus includes the words
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
The words “Or wife” are found in the NIV but not in the ESV.
The words are not in the NA28/UBS5 text
Matthew 19:29 καὶ πᾶς ὅστις ἀφῆκεν οἰκίας ἢ ἀδελφοὺς ἢ ἀδελφὰς ἢ πατέρα ἢ μητέρα ἢ τέκνα ἢ ἀγροὺς ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός μου, ἑκατονταπλασίονα λήμψεται καὶ ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσει.
Matthew 24:35 Included in Vaticanus excluded in Sinaticus
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Most modern versions include the verse, NIV, ESV, NASB
The verse is included in the NA28/UBS5 text
Matthew 24:35 Ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ παρελεύσεται, οἱ δὲ λόγοι μου οὐ μὴ παρέλθωσιν.
Mark 1:1 Vaticanus includes the words son of God, Sinaiticus original excludes the words
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
All major modern versions include the words.
The NA28/UBS5 text puts the words in brackets
Mark 1:1 Ἀρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ [υἱοῦ θεοῦ].
The message Bible excludes the words.
Luke 8:43 Vaticanus omits the words “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,”
They are included in Sinaiticus.
Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
The words are in brackets in the NA28/UBS5 text
Luke 8:43 Καὶ γυνὴ οὖσα ἐν ῥύσει αἵματος ἀπὸ ἐτῶν δώδεκα, ἥτις [ἰατροῖς προσαναλώσασα ὅλον τὸν βίον] οὐκ ἴσχυσεν ἀπ’ οὐδενὸς θεραπευθῆναι,
Some versions omit the words such as the NIV, NASB and NET Bible while others such as the ESV, ISV, BSB include them.
Luke 10:32 Included in Vaticanus excluded in Sinaticus
Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
The entire verse is missing from Codex Sinaiticus.
It is included in the NA28/UBS5 Text
Luke 10:32 ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ Λευίτης [γενόμενος] κατὰ τὸν τόπον ἐλθὼν καὶ ἰδὼν ἀντιπαρῆλθεν.
It is also found in all major bible versions.
Luke 17:35 Included in Vaticanus excluded in Sinaticus
Luke 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Codex Sinaticus omits the entire verse
The verse is included in the NA28/UBS5 text
Luke 17:35 ἔσονται δύο ἀλήθουσαι ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό, ἡ μία παραλημφθήσεται, ἡ δὲ ἑτέρα ἀφεθήσεται.
All major versions include the verse.
John 9:38 Included in Vaticanus excluded in Sinaticus (included in P66 excluded in P75)
John 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
The complete verse is excluded from Sinaticus but is included from the NA28/UBS5 text
John 9:38 ὁ δὲ ἔφη Πιστεύω, κύριε· καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ.
The verse is included in all major modern versions
John 16:15 Included in Vaticanus excluded in Sinaticus (Excluded in P66)
John 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The verse is completely omitted by Sinaticus but is included in the NA28/UBS5 text
John 16:15 πάντα ὅσα ἔχει ὁ πατὴρ ἐμά ἐστιν· διὰ τοῦτο εἶπον ὅτι ἐκ τοῦ ἐμοῦ λαμβάνει καὶ ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν.
All major versions of the Bible include the verse.
John 3:31 Vaticanus (P66) include the words Is above all. Siniaticus (P75) Omit them
John 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
The words are included in the NA28/UBS5 text
John 3:31 Ὁ ἄνωθεν ἐρχόμενος ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν. ὁ ὢν ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἐστὶν καὶ ἐκ τῆς γῆς λαλεῖ· ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐρχόμενος ἐπάνω πάντων ἐστίν·
Most modern versions include the words
John 4:1 Vaticanus reads Lord (P75) , Sinaticus reads Jesus
John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
The NA28/UBS5 text reads Jesus
John 4:1 Ὡς οὖν ἔγνω ὁ Ἰησοῦς ὅτι ἤκουσαν οἱ Φαρισαῖοι ὅτι Ἰησοῦς πλείονας μαθητὰς ποιεῖ καὶ βαπτίζει ἢ Ἰωάννης
Some modern versions read Jeuss such as the NIV, ESV and NET Bible
Others read Lord such as the NASB and ERV
John 5:44 Vaticanus (P66, P75) omit God, Sinaiticus (Alexandrinus) includes it
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
The words are included in the NA28/UBS5 Text
John 5:44 πῶς δύνασθε ὑμεῖς πιστεῦσαι, δόξαν παρ’ / παρὰ ἀλλήλων λαμβάνοντες, καὶ τὴν δόξαν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ μόνου θεοῦ οὐ ζητεῖτε;
Most modern versions include the word God.
John 7:8 Vaticanus (P66,P75) not yet, Sinaiticus reads not
John 7:8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
Many modern versions follow Sinaiticus including NIV, ESV and NASB
John 13:6 Vaticanus (P66,P75) include the word Lord, Sinaticus omits it
John 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
John 13:9 Vaticanus (P66, P75) include Lord, Sinaticus omits it
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Most modern versions include the word Lord in both verses.
John 13:8 Varicanus omits with so reads eats my bread. Sinaiticus (P66, P75) read with me
John 13:8 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 13:8
Many modern versions follow Vaticanus here. ( with the NA text)
John 15:18 “You” is included in Vaticanus (P66) It is omitted in Sinaticus
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:18 Εἰ ὁ κόσμος ὑμᾶς μισεῖ, γινώσκετε ὅτι ἐμὲ πρῶτον ὑμῶν μεμίσηκεν. NA28/UBS5
The NIV excludes the word while the ESV includes it.
John 17:17 Vaticnaus (P66) includes the words “thy word is truth,” Sinaticus omits them
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth
John 17:17 ἁγίασον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ· ὁ λόγος ὁ σὸς ἀλήθειά ἐστιν.
Most modern versions include the words
John 17:21 Vaticanus (P66) omit the second usage of one, Sinaiticus includes it
John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 17:21 ἵνα πάντες ἓν ὦσιν, καθὼς σύ, πάτερ, ἐν ἐμοὶ κἀγὼ ἐν σοί, ἵνα καὶ αὐτοὶ ἐν ἡμῖν ὦσιν, ἵνα ὁ κόσμος πιστεύῃ ὅτι σύ με ἀπέστειλας
Most modern versions do not include the second usage.
John 18:5 Vaticanus reads I am Jesus, Sinaticus reads I am he
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them
The word Jesus is not included in the NA/UBS text
John 18:5 ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ· Ἰησοῦν τὸν Ναζωραῖον. λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἐγώ εἰμι. εἱστήκει δὲ καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν μετ’ αὐτῶν. NA28/UBS5
All main versions of the Bible exclude the word Jesus here.
John 19;30 The word Jesus is included in Vaticanus (P66) not included in Sinaticus
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:30 ὅτε οὖν ἔλαβεν τὸ ὄξος ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Τετέλεσται, καὶ κλίνας τὴν κεφαλὴν παρέδωκεν τὸ πνεῦμα. NA28/UBS5
Some versions include the word Jesus such as ESV, NASB
John 20:3 Vaticanus includes the words and came to the Sepulchre, Sinaticus omits them.
John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
John 20:3 Ἐξῆλθεν οὖν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον.
The NIV excludes the words, the ESV includes them.
John 20:4 Vaticanus (p66) include the words and the other disciple, Sinaticus omits the words.
John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre
John 20:4 ἔτρεχον δὲ οἱ δύο ὁμοῦ· καὶ ὁ ἄλλος μαθητὴς προέδραμεν τάχιον τοῦ Πέτρου καὶ ἦλθεν πρῶτος εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον,
The words are not included in the NIV they are included in the ESV
Luke 23:34 Included in Sinaticus omitted in Vaticanus
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 10:19 Sinaticus says three men Vaticanus says 2 men
Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Acts 10:19 Τοῦ δὲ Πέτρου διενθυμουμένου περὶ τοῦ ὁράματος εἶπεν [αὐτῷ] τὸ πνεῦμα· ἰδοὺ ἄνδρες τρεῖς ζητοῦντές σε, NA28?UBS5
Most modern versions read 3 men
Acts 27:37 Sinaticus reads 276 Vaticanus says about 76
Acts 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Acts 27:37 μεθα δὲ αἱ πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ διακόσιαι ἑβδομήκοντα ἕξ. NA28/UBS5
Almost all modern versions read 276
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 Vaticanus reads controversy and Sinaiticus reads victory
1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The NA text reads controversy.
1 Corinthians 15:54
Almost all modern versions follow Sinaticus here and read victory.
1 Peter 1:1 Vaticanus omits Bithynia, Sinaiticus includes it.
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
The NA text includes Bithynia
1 Peter 1:1
Most modern versions include Bithynia
1 Peter 1:11 Vaticanus omits of Christ while Sinaiticus includes it.
1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
The NA text includes the word Christ
1 Peter 1:11 ἐραυνῶντες εἰς τίνα ἢ ποῖον καιρὸν ἐδήλου τὸ ἐν αὐτοῖς πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ προμαρτυρόμενον τὰ εἰς Χριστὸν παθήματα καὶ τὰς μετὰ ταῦτα δόξας.
Most modern versions include Christ
1 Peter 2:25 Vaticanus omits for you were, Sinaticus includes these words
1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The words are included in the NA28/UBS5 text
1 Peter 2:25
Most modern versions include the words in this verse
Luke 23:34
Luke 23:34 Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
The words “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” are not found in Codex Vaticanus (and P75) but they are found in codex Sinaticus. They are also found in codex Alexandrinus.
Jude 1:5 Lord or Jesus
Vaticanus reads Jesus while Codex Sinaticus reads Lord.
Alexandrinus supports codex Vaticanus.
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