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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

In the quest to determine the original reading of Mark 6:51, we must engage deeply with both the external documentary evidence and the internal contextual evidence, always giving precedence to the manuscripts themselves. This approach aligns with the Documentary Method, which emphasizes the weight of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, often favoring the Alexandrian text type.

Mark 6:51 describes the aftermath of Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm, emphasizing the reaction of the disciples. The verse reads differently across various manuscripts, presenting us with a textual variant that requires careful consideration. The two main variants are:

The longer reading: και λιαν εκ περισσου εν εαυτοις εξισταντο (“and they were exceedingly, extremely amazed in themselves”).
The shorter reading: και λιαν εξισταντο (“and they were exceedingly amazed”).

Manuscript Evidence

Codex Vaticanus (B, 300-330 C.E.) and Codex Sinaiticus (א, 330-360 C.E.) both support the shorter reading and WH. These manuscripts are central to the Alexandrian text type and are known for their reliability and antiquity. The shorter reading is also found in Codex Regius (L) Gospels, 8th c., and is adopted by the Westcott-Hort text, known for its adherence to the Alexandrian tradition.

On the other hand, the longer reading is supported by Codex Alexandrinus (A), the Byzantine majority text (Maj), and several other manuscripts. This reading is also adopted in the Textus Receptus (TR) and the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece (NU), which are influential in modern textual criticism.

Internal Evidence and Context

From an internal evidence perspective, it is critical to assess the likelihood of scribal alterations. The longer reading appears to be a more vivid description of the disciples’ reaction, potentially a scribal expansion intended to emphasize their astonishment. Such expansions were not uncommon as scribes aimed to clarify or amplify the narrative.

In the broader context of Mark’s Gospel, the theme of astonishment and misunderstanding among the disciples is recurrent. Mark frequently highlights the disciples’ amazement and their failure to fully grasp Jesus’ identity and mission. This thematic element may support the longer reading as fitting within Mark’s narrative style. However, it is also possible that the simpler, more concise expression of amazement in the shorter reading aligns better with Mark’s often abrupt and direct style.

Analysis of Scribe Behavior

Considering the tendencies of Alexandrian scribes to prune excessive elaboration, the shorter reading in manuscripts א and B suggests an original form that was less embellished. The presence of the longer reading in later manuscripts, including A and the Byzantine tradition, likely represents a later scribal attempt to elaborate on the disciples’ reaction.

Conclusion

Given the documentary emphasis on the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, the shorter reading found in Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus is more likely to reflect the original text of Mark 6:51. The phrase και λιαν εξισταντο (“and they were exceedingly amazed”) maintains the core meaning without the additional elaboration. This conclusion aligns with the general preference for the Alexandrian text type and the principle that the more difficult reading, often the shorter one, is more likely to be original.

Thus, the original reading of Mark 6:51, considering both the external documentary evidence and internal contextual considerations, is best represented by the shorter, more concise text found in the primary Alexandrian manuscripts.

About the Author

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