Josep Rius-Camps, «The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XX) (Acts 13:44-52)», Vol. 21 (2008) 139-146
In Acts 13:44-52, Luke narrates the events in Antioch of Pisidia that follow his speech in the synagogue. A series of critical variant readings arise in the text of Codex Bezae that alter significantly the perspective of the narrative. While the Alexandrian text presents the incidents, and the response of Paul and Barnabas to them, as being of local relevance and importance, Codex Bezae indicates that they also relate to a wider dimension involving the whole history of Israel, and their relationship as a people with God and with the Gentiles. Indeed, in the face of the hostile reaction of the Jews to their message about Jesus, Paul and Barnabas declare that the time has come for the gifts that had hitherto been their privilege to be shared on a universal scale with non-Jews. Thus, this passage is a key text for understanding the on-going relationship between Paul and the Jews throughout the rest of his mission.
The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles 145
by Paul since Paul will continue to seek to evangelize the Jews first and
foremost (cf. 14.1 D05, αá½Ï„όν).
13.48 ἀκούοντα δέ B P74 ) rell | -σαντα δέ Ψ || καὶ ἀκούοντα D, et cum
audirent d gig.— á¼Î´á½¹Î¾Î±Î¶Î¿Î½ B P74 ) rell || á¼Î´á½³Î¾Î±Î½Ï„ο D, exceperunt d gig
mae; Aug Cass.— (τὸν λόγον) τοῦ θεοῦ B D E 049. 88. 323. 453. 1837.
1854. 2492 pc sams bo; Augpt | τὸν θεόν 614. 1245. 1411. 2147. 2412 pc
syp.h || τοῦ κυÏίου P45.74 ) A C H5 L P Ψ 056. 33. 1739 M, domini d lat
samss mae; Chr Augpt.
The response of the Gentiles follows as a new development in B03,
where it is a matter of them glorifying the word of the Lord, that is the
gospel of Jesus. In D05, καί introduces the response of the Gentiles as all
of a part with the declaration of Paul and Barnabas, as a natural fulfil-
ment of their warning to the Jews: the word of God (the Torah) was first
given to Israel (rather than the nations) but now, since they have rejected
it, the nations receive i.
13.49 διεφέÏετο δέ B P74 ) rell || καί διεφ. D, et promulgabatur d 522.
945 pc p2.— δι’ (ὅλης) B D P45 E H5 L P Ψ 049. 056. 614 M || καθ’ P74 )
A 33. 181. 242. 326. 383. 467. 522. 927. 945. 1270. 1739. 1837. 1891. 1898.
2298. 2344 pc.
Yet again, B03 considers the spread of the gospel to be a new develop-
ment, whereas D05 views it as part of the previous events.
13.50 καί (Ï„á½°Ï‚ εá½ÏƒÏ‡Î·Î¼á½¹Î½Î±Ï‚) )* E H5 L P 049. 056. 614 M || om. B D d
P45vid.74 )2 A C Ψ 33. 81. 323. 1175. 1739. 1837. 1891. 2344.
)01* distinguishes between two types of women.
θλῖψιν μεγάλην (– E) καὶ (διωγμόν) D, tribulationem magnam et d E
(mae) || om. B P74 ) rell.
The mention of great affliction is no doubt a deliberate echo of 8.1
D05; 11.19, where Paul, as Saul, was responsible for the persecution
against the Hellenist believers.
τὸν Παῦλον B P45vid.74 ) rell || Παῦλον D mae; Ephr.
The omission of the article before Paul and Barnabas can be explained
by the fact that Paul and Barnabas are now seen from the point of view
not just of the Jews but also of the distinguished women and the city
chiefs in relation to whom they have so far not been mentioned (Read-
Heimerdinger, The Bezan Text, p. 141).
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