Assessing the Textual Variants in Matthew 14:24

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Introduction: Understanding the Variants in Matthew 14:24

Matthew 14:24 describes the situation of the disciples during the night when Jesus walked on water. This verse contains several textual variants that have been identified in different manuscript traditions. The variants involve how the distance of the boat from the shore is described, which can influence the perception of the scene’s dramatic tension. The primary question concerns whether the original text described the boat as “many stadia away from the land,” “considerable stadia away from the land,” “in the middle of the sea,” or “went into the middle of the sea.” These variations are minor, but understanding them provides insight into how scribes may have harmonized or modified the text in accordance with other Gospel accounts.

The Shorter Reading: “The Boat Was Many Stadia Away from the Land (one stadion was about 600 feet or 185 meters)” (τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς)

The reading “the boat was many stadia away from the land” (τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς) is supported by key Alexandrian manuscripts:

Codex Vaticanus (B): 4th century C.E., a highly regarded manuscript within the Alexandrian text-type tradition.
Family 1 (f1): A collection of manuscripts generally aligned with the Alexandrian tradition.
Coptic Versions: Particularly in the Sahidic dialect, which reflects an early translation from the Greek text.

This reading suggests that the boat was a significant distance from the land, consistent with the geographical realities of the Sea of Galilee. The term “many stadia” indicates a considerable distance, but it is not as specific as some of the other variants. This reading is concise and likely reflects the original text, given its alignment with the Alexandrian tradition, which is often valued for its textual integrity.

Variant 1: “The Boat Was Considerable Stadia Away from the Land” (το δε πλοιον απεχειν της γης σταδιους ικανους)

The first variant reads, “the boat was considerable stadia away from the land” (το δε πλοιον απεχειν της γης σταδιους ικανους). This variant has limited manuscript support but appears in:

Codex Koridethi (Θ): 9th century C.E., a manuscript with a mixed text-type, showing both Alexandrian and Byzantine influences.
Minuscule 700: A later Greek manuscript also reflecting a mixed text.
Syriac Versions: Particularly the Syriac Curetonian (syrc), an early translation reflecting a distinct textual tradition.

The phrase “considerable stadia” is more interpretive than the straightforward “many stadia” in the shorter reading. This variant might reflect a scribe’s attempt to clarify the distance, providing a qualitative assessment of how far the boat was from the land. However, given its limited manuscript support and the tendency toward interpretive translation, this variant is less likely to represent the original text.

Variant 2: “The Boat Was in the Middle of the Sea” (το δε πλοιον μεσον της θαλασσης ην)

The second variant, “the boat was in the middle of the sea” (το δε πλοιον μεσον της θαλασσης ην), has strong manuscript support and closely aligns with the parallel passage in Mark 6:47. This reading is found in:

Codex Sinaiticus (א): 4th century C.E., a key Alexandrian manuscript.
Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus (C): 5th century C.E., also Alexandrian in character.
Codex Regius (L): 8th century C.E., another Alexandrian manuscript.
Codex Washingtonianus (W): 5th century C.E., Byzantine text-type.
Uncial 073 and 0106: Later uncial manuscripts reflecting the Byzantine tradition.
Family 1 (f1): As noted above, this group of manuscripts generally aligns with the Alexandrian text-type.
Minuscule 33: A 9th-century manuscript often referred to as the “Queen of the Cursives,” closely aligned with the Alexandrian tradition.
Majority Text (Byzantine Manuscripts): The standard text of the Greek-speaking world from the 9th century onwards.

This variant’s strong manuscript support and its agreement with Mark 6:47 suggest that it could be the result of scribal harmonization. Scribes might have altered the text in Matthew to match the more explicit description in Mark, which also describes the boat as being in the middle of the sea. While this reading is well-supported, the possibility of harmonization makes it less likely to be the original text in Matthew.

Variant 3: “The Boat Was [Went] into the Middle of the Sea” (το δε πλοιον ην εις μεσον της θαλασσης)

The third variant, “the boat was [went] into the middle of the sea” (το δε πλοιον ην εις μεσον της θαλασσης), introduces a slight change in the Greek text, implying that the boat moved or was situated into the middle of the sea. This variant is supported by:

Codex Bezae (D): 5th century C.E., a manuscript representing the Western text-type, known for its unique and often expanded readings.
Minuscule 1424: A later Greek manuscript with a Byzantine text-type.
Old Latin Manuscripts (ite): Reflecting an early Latin translation tradition.

This variant is a slight modification of the second variant, possibly reflecting a scribal attempt to further clarify or embellish the narrative. Given its more limited manuscript support and the fact that it likely developed from the second variant, this reading is less likely to be the original text of Matthew 14:24.

Internal Evidence: The Context and Language of Matthew

Internal evidence requires examining the context within Matthew 14 and how the language fits into Matthew’s overall narrative style. The term “middle of the sea” (μεσον της θαλασσης) might appear to be a more dramatic and specific description, which could align with the heightened tension of the scene. However, the simpler phrase “many stadia away from the land” (σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς) is more typical of the kind of straightforward geographical descriptions found in Matthew.

The agreement of variant 2 with Mark 6:47 raises the possibility of scribal harmonization. The context in Matthew emphasizes the disciples’ struggle against the wind and waves (Matthew 14:24-25), and while the precise location on the sea is important, the focus remains on their vulnerability and Jesus’ miraculous intervention. The use of “many stadia away” (σταδίους πολλοὺς) could convey sufficient distance without requiring the more specific “middle of the sea.”

The first variant, “considerable stadia away” (σταδιους ικανους), seems more interpretive and less aligned with Matthew’s style, which typically avoids such qualitative descriptors in favor of more concrete terms.

The third variant introduces unnecessary complexity with the phrase “went into the middle of the sea,” which seems redundant and stylistically inconsistent with the rest of the passage. Therefore, this reading is less likely to be original.

Conclusion of the Textual Analysis

Given the weight of both external and internal evidence, the original reading of Matthew 14:24 is most likely the simpler and more straightforward description, “the boat was many stadia away from the land” (τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς). This reading is supported by key Alexandrian manuscripts and aligns with Matthew’s typical narrative style, providing a geographically accurate and contextually appropriate description of the disciples’ situation on the Sea of Galilee.

Manuscript Summary

Many Stadia Away from the Land (σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς): Found in B, f1, and Coptic versions.
Considerable Stadia Away from the Land (σταδιους ικανους): Supported by Θ, 700, syrc.
In the Middle of the Sea (μεσον της θαλασσης ην): Found in א, C, L, W, 073, 0106, f1, 33, Majority Text.
[Went] into the Middle of the Sea (ην εις μεσον της θαλασσης): Supported by D, 1424, ite.

This analysis provides insight into how small textual variations, while not significantly impacting doctrine or theology, offer a glimpse into the textual transmission process of the New Testament.

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).