| Some Variations in the Book of Acts |
The purpose of this essay is to point out that there have been changes in themanuscripts which were used in preparing the texts and the various versions of the NewTestament. Some of the changes apparently resulted from notes being interpolated into the textof the Scriptures by copyists. Some were made for other reasons.
The New King James Version has virtually thesame text as the King James Version, but with the use ofmodern language. However, it notes any words, phrases, or sentences that do not appear in theNU-Text and the M-Text. The NU-Text represents the Alexandrian or Egyptian type of text, asfound in the twenty-sixth edition of The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (N) and the UnitedBible Societies' third edition (U). The M-Text represents readings as found in the firstedition of The Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text.
The New King James Version is quoted in each of fourteen selected passagesfrom the Book of the Acts. Each has a footnote which states the addition to the passage.Following this is the King James rendering of the same passage.
Following these two versions is the passage in five other versions. In thefourteen passages are a total of thirty-five versions, in addition to the King James and theNew King James. Each set of five versions is used for two passages.
The sources for the King James Version are as follows: Latin Vulgate, Greekand Hebrew manuscripts, Tyndale's Version, Coverdale's Version, the Geneva Bible, and theBishop's Bible. The most ancient and reliable Greek manuscripts are Codex Alexandrinus, CodexVaticanus, and Codex Sinaiticus, all dating back to the first half of the fourth century A.D.The canon of the New Testament was finalized in the second half of the fourth century A.D.after considerable difference of opinion. These codices were not located until after thepublication of the King James Version. It is noted that the additions found in this versionwere not in many manuscripts, especially the most reliable. Twentieth century translators havehad access to many more manuscripts and other resources that the translators of the King JamesVersion did not have.
| Versions Compared |
| Acts2: 30 |
| NKJ | Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to himthat of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit onhis throne, .... Footnote: NU-Text omits according to the flesh, andcompletes the verse with He would seat one on his throne. |
| KJV | Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath, that of the fruitof his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ... . |
| AAT | He was a prophet and knew God had sworn to him to put one of his descendents on histhrone. |
| LBP | For he was a prophet, and he knew that God had sworn by his oath to him that of the fruitof his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up one to sit on his throne. |
| NIV | But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place oneof his descendants on his throne. |
| NJB | But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn him an oath to make one of hisdescendants succeed him on the throne, ... . |
| YLR | ...; a prophet, therefore, being, and knowing that with an oath God did swear to him, outof the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ, to sit upon histhrone, ... . |
| Acts3: 20 |
| NKJ | ..., and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ... . Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text read Christ Jesus who was ordained for you before. |
| KJV | And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ... . |
| MCT | ..., and that he may send to you the one who has been appointed for you, Christ Jesus, ... . |
| NAB | ... and send you the Messiah already appointed for you, Jesus, ... . Footnote: [This is] an allusion to the parousia or second coming of Christ, judgedto be imminent in the apostolic age. The reference to the nearness is the only explicit one inActs. Some scholars believe that this verse preserves a very early christology, in which thetitle "Messiah" (Greek "Christ") is applied to him as of his parousia, his second coming(contrast 2:36). This view of a future messiahship of Jesus is not found elsewhere in the NewTestament. |
| RSV | ..., and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. |
| TM | ..., and send you the Messiah he prepared for you, namely, Jesus. |
| WNT | ..., and He may send back Jesus, the Christ who long ago was appointed for you. Footnote: Literally, formerly appointed Christ (WH). |
| Acts5: 24 |
| NKJ | Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priestsheard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. Footnote: NU-Textomits the high priest. |
| KJV | Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard thesethings, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. |
| DRB | Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were indoubt concerning them, and what would come to pass. |
| NLV | When the religious leaders and the leader of the house of God heard this, they were muchtroubled as to what might happen. |
| NRS | Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they wereperplexed about them, wondering what might be going on. |
| SGAT | When the commander of the Temple and the high priests heard this report, they were verymuch at a loss as to what would come of it. |
| WET | Now, when they heard these words, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priestscontinued to be entirely at a loss concerning them as to what might become of this. |
| Acts8: 37 |
| NKJ | Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Footnote:NU-Text and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in the Western texts, including the Latintradition. |
| KJV | And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered andsaid, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. |
| AB | And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart [that is, if you have a conviction,full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah, and accept Him as the Author of your salvationin the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may. And he replied, I do believethat Jesus Christ is the Son of God, ... . |
| CJB | [Omitted.] Footnote: Some manuscripts include verse 37: And Philip said, "Ifyou believe with all your heart, you may." He answered, "I believe that Yeshua the Messiah isthe Son of God." |
| IV | And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered andsaid, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. |
| LB | "You can," Philip answered, "if you believe with all your heart." And the eunuchreplied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Footnote: Many ancientmanuscripts omit verse 37 wholly or in part. |
| NCV | [Omitted.] Footnote: Some late copies of Acts add verse 37: "Philip answered,'If you believe with all your heart, you can.' The officer said, 'I believe that Jesus Christis the Son of God.'" |
| Acts9: 5, 6 |
| NKJ | And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom youare persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling andastonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise andgo into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Footnote: NU-Text andM-Text omit the last sentence of verse 5 and begin verse 6 with But arise and go. |
| KJV | And he said, "Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecuteth: itis hard to thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord,what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and itshall be told thee what thou must do. |
| EBR | And he said -- Who art thou,Lord? And /he/ [said] -- //I//am Jesus whom //thou// art persecuting! But rise up and enter into the city,and it shall be told thee what thou must do. |
| IB | And he said, Who are you, Sir? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. It ishard for you to kick against the prods. Both trembling and being astonished, he said, Lord,what do You desire me to do? And the Lord said to him, Rise up and go into the city, and itwill be told you what you must do. |
| NBV | He said, "Who are You, Lord?" He answered, "I am Jesus, whom you have been persecuting. [Itis hard for you to kick against the goads." Trembling and astonished, he asked, "Lord, whatwould You have me do?" The Lord said to him,] "Rise and enter the city and it will be told youwhat you must do." Footnote: The words in verses 5 and 6 that are enclosed inbrackets are not found in the majority of the most reliable ancient manuscripts. |
| NET | "Who are You, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus," He said, "whom you are persecuting. But getup, go into the city, and you will be told what you should do." |
| PRS | "Who are you, Lord?" he asked. "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting," was the reply."But now stand up and go into the city and there you will be told what you must do." |
| Acts10: 6 |
| NKJ | He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell youwhat you must do. Footnote: NU-Text and M-Text omit the last sentence of thisverse. |
| KJV | He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee whatthou oughtest to do. |
| AIV | "...; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside." |
| CEV | "He is visiting with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea." |
| CNT | "He lodges with another Simon, a tanner, who owns a house by the seashore." |
| GW | He is a guest of Simon, a leather worker, whose house is by the sea. |
| NEB | "...; he is lodging with another Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea." |
| Acts15: 24 |
| NKJ | Since we heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words,unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law -- to whom we gave nosuch commandment -- ... . Footnote: NU-Text omits saying, "You must becircumcised and keep the law". |
| KJV | Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you withwords, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whomwe gave no such commandment: ... . |
| AAT | "Since we heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have saidthings to trouble you, and they continue to upset you, ... ." |
| LBP | We have heard that certain men have gone out and disturbed you with words, thus upsettingyour souls, saying, You must be circumcised and keep the law; concerning these things wehave never commanded them. |
| NIV | We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you,troubling your minds by what they said. |
| NJB | We hear that some people coming from here, but acting without authority from ourselves,have disturbed you with their demands and have unsettled your minds; ... . |
| YLR | ...; seeing we have heard that certain having gone forth from us did trouble you with words,subverting your souls, saying to be circumcised and to keep the law, to whom we did giveno charge, ... |
| Acts17: 5 |
| NKJ | But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evilmen from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar ... . Footnote: NU-Text omits who were not persuaded; M-Text omits becomingenvious. |
| KJV | But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellowsof the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar. |
| AB | But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and getting hold of some loungers in themarket place -- ruffians and rascals -- they gathered together a mob, and set the town in anuproar, ... . |
| CJB | But the unbelieving Jew grew jealous; so they got together some vicious men from theriffraff hanging around in the market square, collected a crowd and started a riot in the city. |
| IV | But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows ofthe baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, ... . |
| LB | But the Jewish leaders were jealous and incited some worthless fellows from the streets toform a mob and start a riot. |
| NCV | But the Jews became jealous. So they got some evil men from the marketplace, formed amob, and started a riot. |
| Acts18: 21 |
| NKJ | ..., but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this comingfeast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." Footnote: NU-Text omits I must through Jerusalem. |
| KJV | ...; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh inJerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. |
| EBR | ...; but <bidding them adieu saying -- //Again// will I return unto you/God willing/> ... . |
| IB | ...; but took leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem;but I will come again to you, God willing. |
| NBV | Instead, he said good-by to them with a promise, "God willing, I shall come back to you." |
| NET | As he said good-bye to them, he told them, "I will come back to you if God wants me to." |
| PRS | ..., bidding them farewell with the words, "If it is God's will I will come back to youagain." |
| Acts21: 25 |
| NKJ | "But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that theyshould observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered toidols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality." Footnote:NU-Text omits that they should observe no such thing, except. |
| KJV | As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observeno such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and fromblood, and from strangled, and from fornication. |
| AIV | But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our judgmentthat they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what isstrangled and from fornication. Footnote: Other ancient authorities lack andfrom what is strangled. |
| CEV | Some while ago we told the Gentile followers what we think they should do. We instructedthem not to eat anything offered to idols. They were told not to eat any meat with blood stillin it or the meat of an animal that has been strangled. They were also told not to commit anyterrible sexual sins. |
| CNT | "But as for those who have come to the faith as Gentiles, to these we have sent out a lettercontaining the decision we have come to -- that they are to abstain from meat which has beenoffered in sacrifice to an idol, from eating blood from the flesh of animals killed bystrangling, and from committing fornication. |
| GW | "[To clarify this matter] we have written non-Jewish believers a letter with our decision.We told them that they should not eat food sacrificed to false gods, bloody meat, or meat ofstrangled animals. They also should not commit sexual sins." |
| NEB | As for the gentile converts, we have sent our decision that they must abstain from meat thathas been offered to idols, from blood, from anything that has been strangled, and fromfornication. Footnote: Some witnesses omit from anything that has beenstrangled. |
| Acts22: 9 |
| NKJ | "And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didnot hear the voice of Him who spoke to me." Footnote: NU-Text omits and wereafraid. |
| KJV | And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not thevoice of him that spoke to me. |
| NAS | And those who were with me beheld the light, to be sure, but they did not understand thevoice of the One who was speaking to me. |
| NWT | Now the men who were with me beheld, indeed, the light but did not hear the voice of theone speaking to me. |
| REB | My companions saw the light, but did not hear the voice that spoke to me. |
| SNB | Now they who were with me, beheld indeed, the light, but heard not the voice of Him thatwas speaking with me. |
| TEV | The men with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking tome. |
| Acts23: 9 |
| NKJ | ..., "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken tohim, let us not fight against God." Footnote: NU-Text omits last clause and readswhat if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him? |
| KJV | ..., We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let usnot fight against God. |
| MCT | "... . What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" |
| NAB | ..., "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" |
| RSV | ..., "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" |
| TM | ...: "We don't find anything wrong with this man! And what if a spirit has spoken to him?Or maybe an angel? What if it turns out we're fighting against God?" |
| WNT | ..., "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or angel has really spoken tohim!" |
| Acts24: 6-8 |
| NKJ | "He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judgehim according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him outof our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you mayascertain all these things of which we accuse him." Footnote: NU-Text ends thesentence here [after and we seized him] and omits the rest of verse 6, all of verse 7,and the first clause of verse 8 [ending to come to you]. |
| KJV | ...: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judgedaccording to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violencetook him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining ofwhom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. |
| NAS | "And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [And we wanted tojudge him according to our own Law." But Lysias the commander came along, and with muchviolence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] And by examininghim yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which weaccuse him. Footnote: Many mss. do not contain the remainder of verse 6, verse 7,nor the first part of verse 8. |
| NWT | "..., one who also tried to profane the temple and whom we seized. ---- From him youyourself can by examination find out about these things of which we are accusing him." |
| REB | "He made an attempt to profane the temple and we arrested him. If you examine him yourselfyou can ascertain the truth of all the charges we bring against him." Footnote:Some witnesses add It was our intention to try him under our law; but Lysias the commandantintervened and forcibly took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you. |
| SNB | ..., Who also attempted to desecrate even the temple, whom we also seized, But the chiefLysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands. For whom thoushalt be able thyself, by making examination concerning all these things, to ascertain thethings of which we are accusing him. |
| TEV | "He also tried to defile the Temple, and we arrested him. If you question this man, youyourself will be able to learn from him all the things that we are accusing him of." Footnote: Some manuscripts add verses 6b-8a: We planned to judge him according toour own law, but the commander Lysias came, and with great violence took him from us. ThenLysias gave orders that his accusers should come before you. |
| Acts24: 26 |
| NKJ | Meanwhile he had also hoped that money would be given by Paul, that he mightrelease him. Therefore, he sent for him more often and conversed with him. Footnote: NU-Text omits that he might release him. | |
| KJV | He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. | |
| DRB | Hoping also withal, that money should be given him by Paul; for which cause alsooftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him. | |
| NLV | He was hoping that Paul would give him money so that he could go free. For that reasonhe kept sending for Paul and talking to him. | |
| NRS | At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason heused to send for him very often and converse with him. | |
| SGAT | At the same time he hoped to get money from Paul, and for that reason he used to sendfor him very often and talk with him. | |
| WET | ...; at the same time also hoping that money will be given to him by Paul. On this accountalso he kept on sending for him more frequently and conversing with him. |
| Commentary |
If the oldest and most reliable manuscripts are closest to the originalwritings of the New Testament, it follows that the later manuscripts have additions by man. Ifthe later manuscripts are closer to the original, then those considered to be the oldest andmost reliable have had deletions by man. In the first case, the King James Version and otherolder versions contain additions to what the original writers wrote. In the second case, themodern versions have had deletions from them. The Book of the Acts includes only a few of thechanges in the New Testament.
The additions to the King James Version appear to be logical, making sense.They do not really affect the doctrine of the Messiah. The important point is, however, thatthere have been changes to the original. It is generally accepted that the original writersembellished their own work and used their own style of writing, even though inspired.
James I. Packer states in The Bible Almanac, "God revealed His truthto the writers and showed them how they should present it, but in so doing He led them toexpress His Word in terms of their own outlook, interest, literary habits, and peculiaritiesof style."
Christians accept the Bible, or a particular version of it, without question,including the additions and/or deletions by man in his copying and translating of manuscriptsover the centuries. Were these changes inspired by man or by God? I leave it to my reader todetermine if those copyists and translators violated Revelation 22: 18 and 19.