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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Introduction

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges His listeners to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, offering a radical redefinition of love that extends even to one’s enemies. A critical textual variant in Matthew 5:47b alters the comparative group Jesus references, impacting our understanding of His call to transcendent love. This analysis seeks to determine whether Jesus contrasted His followers’ actions with those of “Gentiles” or “tax collectors,” leveraging manuscript evidence, contextual analysis, and theological implications.

Manuscript Evidence

The primary variant in question revolves around whether the original text of Matthew 5:47b referred to “Gentiles” (ἐθνικοί) or “tax collectors” (τελῶναι):

Reading with “Gentiles” (WH NU):
- Manuscript Support: Codex Sinaiticus (א), Codex Vaticanus (B), Codex Bezae (D), and Codex L (Z).
- Greek: οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ ἐθνικοὶ τὸ αὐτο ποιοῦσιν (“Don’t the Gentiles do the same?”).
Reading with “tax collectors” (TR):
- Manuscript Support: Codex Washingtonianus (W), Codex Koridethi (Θ), and the Majority of later manuscripts (Maj).
- Greek: ουχι και οι τελωναι το αυτο ποιουσιν (“Don’t the tax collectors do the same?”).

Analysis

The preference for “Gentiles” in earlier manuscripts, supported by the likes of Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, presents a compelling argument for its originality. This is further bolstered by the presence of “tax collectors” in the preceding verse, suggesting that the variation in verse 47b may have resulted from a scribe’s attempt to maintain thematic consistency or due to a parablepsis influenced by homoeoteleuton.

Moreover, the substitution of “tax collectors” in later manuscripts and by the Textus Receptus could reflect an interpretive alignment with the parallelism seen in the preceding context. However, the invocation of “Gentiles” in this passage aligns more closely with the broader thematic elements of Matthew’s Gospel, emphasizing a distinction between the followers of Jesus and the broader societal outgroups of the time—here represented by “Gentiles.”

Theological Implications

The reference to “Gentiles” expands the scope of Jesus’ teaching on love and reciprocity. While “tax collectors” were often viewed negatively within Jewish society, “Gentiles” encompassed a broader category of the “other,” including those outside the covenant community. By urging His followers to exceed even the common grace extended among Gentiles, Jesus elevates the standard of love to a divine criterion, marking His disciples by their radical love that surpasses societal norms.

Conclusion: Determining the Original Reading

Considering the manuscript evidence, contextual considerations, and theological implications, the reference to “Gentiles” (ἐθνικοί) in Matthew 5:47b is determined to be the original reading. This conclusion not only rests on the weight of earlier and more geographically diverse manuscript support but also aligns with Matthew’s theological emphasis on distinguishing the kingdom ethics Jesus introduces from those practiced by non-believers.

This finding challenges contemporary readers to consider the depth of Jesus’ command to love, pushing beyond societal expectations and norms. In doing so, followers of Christ are called to embody a love that is distinct, radical, and reflective of God’s unconditional love for humanity.

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).