Understanding a Curious Omission
If you’ve ever compared different translations of the Bible, you might have noticed something peculiar: some versions omit the verse Matthew 17:21 entirely. This can be a bit unsettling, especially for someone who has grown up with a Bible that includes it. So, why does this happen? The answer lies in the fascinating and complex field of textual criticism.
What is Textual Criticism?
Textual criticism is the scholarly study of ancient texts, including the Bible, to determine the most original and accurate wording. Ancient manuscripts, unlike modern printed books, were painstakingly copied by hand. Over centuries, as these copies were made, small errors, omissions, or even intentional additions could creep in. Textual critics examine all the available ancient manuscripts of the New Testament, comparing them to identify variations and reconstruct what the original authors likely wrote.
The Case of Matthew 17:21
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 17, verses 14-20 describe Jesus casting out a demon from a boy. After Jesus successfully heals the boy, his disciples ask him, "Why could we not cast it out?" Jesus replies that it was due to their "little faith."
The verse in question, Matthew 17:21, in many King James Version (KJV) and similar translations, reads:
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
However, when you look at many modern English translations, like the New International Version (NIV), English Standard Version (ESV), or New Living Translation (NLT), this verse is often absent or rendered differently. For example, the NIV might read something like:
"But this kind can only come out by prayer."
Or it might be incorporated into the preceding verse.
Why the Discrepancy?
The reason for this difference is primarily due to the manuscript evidence available to translators. Early translations, like the KJV, were largely based on a body of Greek manuscripts known as the Textus Receptus (Latin for "Received Text"). While the Textus Receptus was the standard for centuries, it was based on a relatively limited number of later Greek manuscripts.
In more recent times, scholars have discovered and cataloged a much larger collection of much older Greek manuscripts, some dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries. When these older manuscripts are compared to the ones used for the Textus Receptus, variations are found. In the case of Matthew 17:21, the phrase "and fasting" is absent in many of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts.
Therefore, translators working with modern critical editions of the Greek New Testament, which prioritize the readings found in the oldest manuscripts, have concluded that the phrase "and fasting" was likely not part of the original text of Matthew 17:21. Some scholars believe it may have been added later by scribes, perhaps influenced by passages elsewhere in the Bible that emphasize prayer and fasting as important spiritual disciplines.
What Does This Mean for Your Faith?
It's important to understand that this textual variation doesn't fundamentally alter core Christian doctrines or salvation. The message of Jesus' power to heal and cast out demons, the importance of faith, and the value of prayer are all strongly affirmed throughout the Gospels, regardless of the presence or absence of "and fasting" in this specific verse.
The omission of "and fasting" in Matthew 17:21 in many modern translations simply reflects the scholarly consensus based on the best available manuscript evidence. It highlights the care and diligence that goes into producing accurate translations of the biblical text.
For many Christians, this simply means they are reading a version of the Bible that scholars believe is closer to the original writings of Matthew. The essential teachings remain the same. The overall message of the Bible is robust and consistent, and minor textual variations like this are a testament to the integrity of the transmission of the text over millennia.
Key Takeaways:
- Ancient manuscripts were copied by hand, leading to variations.
- Textual criticism is the study of these variations to find the most original wording.
- Matthew 17:21, specifically the phrase "and fasting," is absent in many of the oldest and most reliable Greek manuscripts.
- Modern translations often omit or modify this phrase based on this manuscript evidence.
- This variation does not affect core Christian beliefs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are there different versions of the Bible?
There are different versions of the Bible due to two primary reasons: translation and textual variations. Translations occur when the original biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) are rendered into modern languages like English. Different translation philosophies (e.g., word-for-word vs. thought-for-thought) lead to different phrasing. Textual variations, as discussed in the article, arise from the hand-copying of ancient manuscripts, where minor differences can accumulate over time.
How do scholars decide which reading is original?
Scholars use a set of principles and criteria in textual criticism. They examine the age of the manuscripts (older is generally better), the geographical distribution of variants (a reading found in manuscripts from various regions might be more original), the type of manuscript (some manuscript families are considered more reliable), and the intrinsic probability of the reading (which reading makes more sense grammatically and contextually). The goal is to reconstruct the text that was most likely written by the original author.
Does this mean the Bible has errors?
The existence of textual variations doesn't necessarily mean the Bible contains "errors" in the sense of deliberate falsehoods or significant doctrinal corruption. Instead, it reflects the natural human process of copying texts over centuries. The vast majority of the biblical text is consistent across manuscripts, and even where variations exist, they rarely affect fundamental Christian teachings. Textual criticism aims to get us as close as possible to the original inspired writings.
