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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Introduction

The Gospel of Matthew 5:44 presents a textual variant that has intrigued scholars and believers alike. This passage, part of the Sermon on the Mount, encapsulates Jesus’ teachings on love towards adversaries. The variant in question concerns whether the original verse included only an exhortation to “pray for those persecuting you” or extended commands to “bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you.” This article aims to analyze the manuscript evidence, the historical context, and the theological implications to ascertain the original reading of Matthew 5:44.

Manuscript Evidence

The examination of manuscript evidence reveals two main readings:

Shorter Reading (WH NU):
- Greek: προσεύχεσθε ὑπὲρ τῶν διωκόντων ὑμᾶς (“pray for those persecuting you”)
- Manuscript Support: Codex Sinaiticus (א1), Codex Vaticanus (B), Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C*), the Freer Gospels (W), and early patristic citations including Origen.
Longer Reading (TR):
- Greek: ευλογειτε τους καταρωμενους υμας, καλως ποιειτε τοις μισουσιν υμας, προσευχεσθε υπερ των επηρεαζοντων υμας και διωκοντων υμας (“bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”)
- Manuscript Support: Codex Bezae (D), Codex Washingtonianus (W), Codex Koridethi (Θ), and the Majority of later manuscripts.

Analysis of Variants

The shorter reading’s early manuscript support, particularly from Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, dated to the 4th century, gives it a temporal edge over the longer variant found in manuscripts from the 5th century and later. The patristic evidence, with citations from earlier church fathers like Origen, strengthens the case for the originality of the concise directive to “pray for those persecuting you.”

The longer variant’s inclusion of additional exhortations mirrors the language found in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 6:27–28), suggesting an attempt by later scribes to harmonize Matthew’s account with Luke’s. This harmonization tendency, while well-intentioned, likely represents a later editorial addition rather than part of the original text penned by Matthew.

Theological and Historical Considerations

The shorter reading maintains the focus on prayer as the primary response to persecution, aligning with the overarching theme of the Sermon on the Mount that emphasizes inner transformation and spiritual practices. This emphasis on prayer reflects early Christian priorities and the historical context of a community facing persecution.

Moreover, the longer reading, though not original to Matthew, is consistent with Jesus’ teachings on love and forgiveness, themes that are central to Christian ethics. Both readings, therefore, convey important aspects of the Christian call to transcend human instincts for retaliation.

Conclusion: The Original Reading

Taking into account the manuscript evidence, the historical context, and the theological implications, the original reading of Matthew 5:44 is most likely the shorter version: “προσεύχεσθε ὑπὲρ τῶν διωκόντων ὑμᾶς” (“pray for those persecuting you”). This finding highlights the importance of prayer in the face of adversity, a theme that resonates deeply within the Christian tradition.

The presence of the longer reading in subsequent manuscripts and its reflection of Jesus’ broader ethical teachings, however, underscores the dynamic and living tradition of scriptural interpretation within the Christian community. While textual criticism seeks to uncover the most authentic version of the biblical text, the spiritual and ethical richness of the Gospel message transcends textual variations, inviting believers to a deeper engagement with the teachings of Christ.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).