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The textual integrity of Matthew 14:3a and 14:3b has been a subject of scholarly examination, reflecting on the original wording as penned by the evangelist Matthew. Given the Documentary Method, our analysis prioritizes the weight of the manuscripts while also considering internal evidence.

Matthew 14:3a

The opening clause of Matthew 14:3a reads, “For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison,” with this reading attested by significant manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus (א), Codex Vaticanus (B), Codex Bezae (D), Codex Regius (L), and Codex Washingtonianus (W), among others. These sources provide a robust Alexandrian textual witness, reinforcing the credibility of this reading.

A textual variant appears in a few manuscripts, including Codex Vaticanus (B), Codex Koridethi (Θ), and family 1 (f^1), which incorporate the term τότε (tote) before the verb κρατήσας (kratēsas). This insertion of τότε aims to clarify the chronological sequence, indicating that the events of 14:3 precede those described in 14:1-2. However, the use of aorist verbs with a pluperfect sense already conveys this temporal relationship adequately, making the addition of τότε redundant. The more concise form, without τότε, aligns with the principle of lectio brevior, favoring the shorter reading as original.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Matthew 14:3b

The phrase in Matthew 14:3b, as found in the Textus Receptus (TR), Westcott-Hort (WH), and Nestle-Aland (NU) critical texts, states: Ἡρῳδιάδα τὴν γυναῖκα Φιλίππου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ (“Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife”). This reading is supported by a strong manuscript tradition, including Codex Sinaiticus (א), Codex Vaticanus (B), Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C), Codex Regius (L), Codex Washingtonianus (W), Codex Sangallensis (Δ), Codex Koridethi (Θ), and family 13 (f^13), as well as the significant manuscript 33.

A variant reading exists in Codex Bezae (D), and the Latin manuscripts it, c, d, as well as in the writings of Augustine, which omit the name Philip, resulting in the phrase Ηρωδιάδα την γυναικα του αδελφου αυτου (“Herodias, his brother’s wife”). This variation likely arose from an attempt to avoid confusion between Herod Philip (Herodias’s first husband) and Philip the Tetrarch, another son of Herod the Great. Josephus refers to Herodias’s first husband simply as “Herod,” distinguishing him from Philip the Tetrarch (Ant. 18.5.4). Luke 3:19 reflects a similar simplification, potentially influencing later scribes to drop Philip’s name to align with Josephus’s nomenclature and Luke’s account.

Conclusion on the Original Reading

The preponderance of external evidence from key Alexandrian manuscripts, along with the internal coherence of the text, supports the original reading of Matthew 14:3a without the addition of τότε. For Matthew 14:3b, the inclusion of Philip’s name is consistent with the broader manuscript tradition and aligns with historical references, confirming “Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife” as the likely original text.

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).