Introduction: The Textual Variant in Matthew 14:12

Matthew 14:12 details the actions of John the Baptist’s disciples after his execution, specifically in how they handled his remains. While this verse contains a textual variant, it is not a significant one. The variant involves whether the original text used the term “corpse” (πτῶμα) or the more general term “body” (σῶμα). This is a minor difference that does not impact the overall meaning of the passage and is easily resolved by textual scholars. However, examining this variant provides insight into the types of small differences that make up the vast majority of textual variants in the New Testament.

The Shorter Reading: “They Carried the Corpse” (ἦραν τὸ πτῶμα)

The reading “they carried the corpse” (ἦραν τὸ πτῶμα) is found in several key manuscripts, particularly those associated with the Alexandrian text-type. These manuscripts are considered some of the earliest and most reliable witnesses to the New Testament text:

• Codex Sinaiticus (א): 4th century C.E., a significant Alexandrian text-type manuscript.
• Codex Vaticanus (B): 4th century C.E., another critical Alexandrian manuscript.
• Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C): 5th century C.E., which often aligns with the Alexandrian text.
• Codex Bezae (D): 5th century C.E., representing a Western text-type but agreeing here with the Alexandrian tradition.
• Codex Regius (L): 8th century C.E., primarily an Alexandrian text.
• Codex Koridethi (Θ): 9th century C.E., with a mixed text but agreeing with the Alexandrian tradition here.
• Family 1 (f1): A group of minuscule manuscripts dating from the 12th century, generally aligned with the Alexandrian text-type.
• Minuscule 33: Known as the “Queen of the Cursives,” a 9th-century manuscript closely aligned with the Alexandrian tradition.

These manuscripts provide robust support for the reading “corpse” (πτῶμα), suggesting that this may have been the original term used by Matthew. The word πτῶμα is a more graphic term, explicitly referring to a lifeless body, and is also found in the parallel passage in Mark 6:29, where John’s disciples are similarly described as taking up his corpse.

Variant Reading: “They Carried the Body” (ἦραν τὸ σῶμα)

The variant reading, “they carried the body” (ἦραν τὸ σῶμα), is supported primarily by later manuscripts that are often associated with the Byzantine text-type. The term σῶμα is more general and could be seen as a less harsh description of John’s remains:

• Codex Washingtonianus (W): 5th century C.E., a Byzantine text-type manuscript.
• Codex 0106: An 8th-century uncial manuscript.
• Majority Text (Byzantine Manuscripts): A large collection of later Greek manuscripts (9th century onwards) that represent the standard text in the Greek-speaking world during the medieval period.

Codex Washingtonianus Is a Mixed Text

There are three main groups that make up Washingtonianus: Alexandrian, Western, and Byzantine. The text-types of the different sections are as follows:

• Matthew 1–28; Luke 8:13–24:53 – Byzantine text-type;
• Mark 1:1–5:30 – Western text-type, similar to old-Latin Versions;
• Mark 5:31 – 16:20 – Supposedly Caesarean text-type, nearest to P⁴⁵;
• Luke 1:1 – 8:12, and John 5:12 – 21:25 – Alexandrian text-type;
• John 1:1 – 5:11 – mixed with some Alexandrian and Western readings. This text was added in the 7th century, probably as a replacement for damaged text.

This variant is also reflected in the Textus Receptus (TR), the basis for many early English translations, including the King James Version. The use of σῶμα, rather than πτῶμα, might have been preferred by scribes who found the term “corpse” too stark or perhaps unnecessary in this context. Given that σῶμα is a more neutral term, it may have been chosen to soften the narrative’s tone.

External Evidence: Manuscript Considerations

The external evidence shows a division between the earlier and more reliable manuscripts, which use πτῶμα, and the later Byzantine manuscripts, which use σῶμα. The earlier manuscripts are generally considered more accurate reflections of the original text due to their proximity to the autographs and the fewer opportunities for textual alterations.

The Alexandrian text-type, represented by manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, is often preferred in textual criticism due to its tendency toward brevity and lack of later doctrinal interpolations. In this case, the Alexandrian manuscripts’ support for πτῶμα lends weight to the argument that this was the original reading.

On the other hand, the Byzantine text-type, while representing the majority of later manuscripts, is known for incorporating harmonizations and stylistic changes that might reflect later theological or liturgical preferences. The shift to σῶμα in these manuscripts could be seen as part of this broader trend toward softening or generalizing the language used in the New Testament.

Internal Evidence: Theological and Contextual Considerations

Internal evidence involves examining the context of Matthew 14:12 and the broader use of language in the Gospel of Matthew. The word πτῶμα is more specific and carries a connotation of a dead body, often used in contexts where the reality of death is emphasized (e.g., Matthew 24:28, where it is used in a metaphorical sense to describe vultures gathering around a corpse).

In contrast, σῶμα is a more neutral term, used broadly in the New Testament to refer to the human body, both living and dead. For instance, in the accounts of Jesus’ burial, the term σῶμα is used (e.g., Matthew 27:59; Mark 15:45; Luke 23:52; John 19:40), indicating the body of Jesus without the graphic implications of death that πτῶμα might carry.

Given that the parallel passage in Mark 6:29 uses πτῶμα, it is plausible that Matthew originally used the same term, and later scribes, possibly influenced by the softer usage of σῶμα in other burial contexts, altered the text. This change would align with a scribal tendency to harmonize difficult or stark language in the Gospels.

Furthermore, the use of πτῶμα in Matthew 14:12 would be consistent with the Gospel’s portrayal of John the Baptist’s death as a brutal and unjust execution. The term emphasizes the lifelessness of John’s body, underscoring the tragedy of his martyrdom.

Conclusion of the Textual Analysis

In conclusion, the weight of both external and internal evidence suggests that the original reading of Matthew 14:12 likely included the term πτῶμα, meaning “corpse.” This reading is supported by the earliest and most reliable manuscripts, aligning with the parallel passage in Mark 6:29 and fitting within the context of Matthew’s narrative style.

The variant reading σῶμα, while widely adopted in later manuscripts and many modern translations, appears to be a later scribal modification intended to soften the description of John’s remains. As such, it is not likely to reflect the original wording of the text.

Manuscript Summary

1. Corpse (πτῶμα): Found in א, B, C, D, L, Θ, f1, and 33.
2. Body (σῶμα): Supported by W, 0106, and the Majority Text.

This textual variant exemplifies the importance of careful manuscript analysis in New Testament textual criticism, highlighting how even seemingly minor differences can impact the interpretation of Scripture.

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