Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
Delve into the nuanced examination of Matthew 3:16's textual variant in our article. We analyze the significance of the differing manuscript readings on the baptism of Jesus, offering insights into how these variations affect our understanding of this pivotal biblical event.
Matthew 3:16 states: “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.”
The shorter reading is generally preferred if the change is intended. This is a reflection of scribal tendency, as a scribe is far more likely in his efforts at clarification, willfully to make an addition to a text. Very rarely will a scribe intentionally add to his text by mistake.
