Saturday, June 13, 2009
An Important Original Hebrew Reading in Matthew
I take this from George Howard, Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, Mercer University Press, 1995. (Not to be confused with his earlier edition of the same text with a similar title). You ought to buy this book if you can. It has a translation and notes.
At Matthew XXVIII:19-20. “Go, make disciples in my name, teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you” WITH NO TRINITARIAN FORMULA. This is the reading of the Hebrew Gospel published by Howard. It agrees with direct quotations by Eusebius in more than one place; and this reading is assumed in Justin Martyr, Dialogue, 39 and 53, and Hermas, Similitudes, 9:17:4. This is undoubtedly the original reading. Conybeare points out that the mss. used by Eusebius were from Caesarea.
There are a lot of other old genuine readings in this Hebrew text agreeing with the Diatessaron.
This Hebrew Matthew was transmitted in Spain in the Islamic period. The Gospel of Barnabas was transmitted in the same place and probably the same period.
At Matthew XXVIII:19-20. “Go, make disciples in my name, teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you” WITH NO TRINITARIAN FORMULA. This is the reading of the Hebrew Gospel published by Howard. It agrees with direct quotations by Eusebius in more than one place; and this reading is assumed in Justin Martyr, Dialogue, 39 and 53, and Hermas, Similitudes, 9:17:4. This is undoubtedly the original reading. Conybeare points out that the mss. used by Eusebius were from Caesarea.
There are a lot of other old genuine readings in this Hebrew text agreeing with the Diatessaron.
This Hebrew Matthew was transmitted in Spain in the Islamic period. The Gospel of Barnabas was transmitted in the same place and probably the same period.
Email stephan.h.huller@gmail.com with comments or questions.