Codex Bezae Codex Bezae

Codex Bezae: An Codex Bezae: An Early Christian Early Christian

Manuscript and Its Manuscript and Its TextText

ByBy

David C. ParkerDavid C. Parker

IntroductionIntroduction

““This book sets out to provide all the This book sets out to provide all the evidence which formed the basis for evidence which formed the basis for my conclusions. Since a great deal my conclusions. Since a great deal of this evidence consists in lists of of this evidence consists in lists of things, parts of it may seem to be things, parts of it may seem to be rather less than deathless prose.” (4)rather less than deathless prose.” (4)

Chapter OneChapter One

The Codex and the HandThe Codex and the Hand

The CodexThe Codex Bilingual Greek and LatinBilingual Greek and Latin 406 extant leaves406 extant leaves

– 99thth C. Supplementary material C. Supplementary material Matt., John, Luke, Mark, 3 John 11-15 (Latin Matt., John, Luke, Mark, 3 John 11-15 (Latin

only), Actsonly), Acts Original length unknown (~535 leaves)Original length unknown (~535 leaves) Original contents are inconclusiveOriginal contents are inconclusive

– Space b/w Mark and Acts for Johannine Space b/w Mark and Acts for Johannine writings (1,2,3 John and Revelation)writings (1,2,3 John and Revelation)

Large square parchment codex Large square parchment codex – Shape indicates origin in a Latin Shape indicates origin in a Latin

ScriptoriumScriptorium

The HandThe Hand The scribe was definitely LatinThe scribe was definitely Latin Scribe was chosen because he had the Scribe was chosen because he had the

necessary linguistic skillsnecessary linguistic skills He attempted to provide a visual unity He attempted to provide a visual unity

between the columns on separate pagesbetween the columns on separate pages Copied by his eye rather than dictation Copied by his eye rather than dictation Copied sometime b/w late 4Copied sometime b/w late 4thth and early and early

55thth C. (400) C. (400)

Chapter TwoChapter Two

THE PUNCTUATION!!!THE PUNCTUATION!!!

Eight PhenomenaEight Phenomena1.1. A line projecting into left marginA line projecting into left margin

2.2. A double point (:) within line; occasionally A double point (:) within line; occasionally followed by enlarged initial letterfollowed by enlarged initial letter

3.3. A medial point within lineA medial point within line

4.4. A large space; occasionally followed by A large space; occasionally followed by enlarged initial letterenlarged initial letter

5.5. A small spaceA small space

6.6. A large space with a medial point in itA large space with a medial point in it

7.7. A high pointA high point

8.8. An indented OT quoteAn indented OT quote

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsPunctuation not consistent throughoutPunctuation not consistent throughout

Acts different from Gospels (uses high point)Acts different from Gospels (uses high point)Matt., favors medial pointMatt., favors medial pointJohn uses medial point half way and then spaceJohn uses medial point half way and then spaceLuke favors spaceLuke favors spaceMark returns to pointMark returns to point

Small space seems to correspond to medial Small space seems to correspond to medial point and large space to double pointpoint and large space to double pointMost punctuation in Matt., and least in ActsMost punctuation in Matt., and least in ActsRoughly same amount of punctuation in Roughly same amount of punctuation in Greek and Latin but distributed differentlyGreek and Latin but distributed differently

Chapter FourChapter Four

Towards the Codicology of a Bilingual Towards the Codicology of a Bilingual CodexCodex

Are there patterns in the bilingual Are there patterns in the bilingual tradition?tradition?

There does not appear to be any There does not appear to be any sustained traditionsustained tradition

Evidence of experimentation in Carolingian Evidence of experimentation in Carolingian mss. mss.

Early on scribes copied both columnsEarly on scribes copied both columnsCopying small portions of each was most Copying small portions of each was most successful method of reproductionsuccessful method of reproduction

Some copied Greek in entirety then LatinSome copied Greek in entirety then Latin

None of NT mss. written in sense linesNone of NT mss. written in sense lines

The early bilinguals were likely occasional, The early bilinguals were likely occasional, and the scribe employed was one that and the scribe employed was one that had the necessary competencehad the necessary competence

Chapter FiveChapter Five

The Sense-LinesThe Sense-Lines

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsHelp scribe keep text in parallelHelp scribe keep text in parallel

In Bezae, the scribe appears to have In Bezae, the scribe appears to have altered his practice twicealtered his practice twice

Possibly recognized need to save space and Possibly recognized need to save space and then later no longer needed tothen later no longer needed to

The changes in the sense lines The changes in the sense lines correspond to the changes in correspond to the changes in punctuation from the medial point to the punctuation from the medial point to the space and backspace and back

Sense Lines and Sense Lines and PunctuationPunctuation

Medial points and small spaces indicate Medial points and small spaces indicate a line division in the exemplara line division in the exemplar

Double point and large space may Double point and large space may indicate a new paragraph or sectionindicate a new paragraph or section

The punctuation in Acts is different than The punctuation in Acts is different than the Gospels. The punctuation in the the Gospels. The punctuation in the Gospels was likely used by the scribe, Gospels was likely used by the scribe, but the punctuation in Acts was likely but the punctuation in Acts was likely adopted from the exemplaradopted from the exemplar

Upon which column was the scribe Upon which column was the scribe concentrating?concentrating?

Likely alternated copying short blocks of each Likely alternated copying short blocks of each columncolumn

Double point and large space may indicate a Double point and large space may indicate a new paragraph or sectionnew paragraph or section

The punctuation in Acts is different than the The punctuation in Acts is different than the Gospels. The punctuation in the Gospels was Gospels. The punctuation in the Gospels was likely used by the scribe, but the punctuation in likely used by the scribe, but the punctuation in Acts was likely adopted from the exemplarActs was likely adopted from the exemplar

The sense lines also indicate that the scribe had The sense lines also indicate that the scribe had an easier time copying Acts than the Gospelsan easier time copying Acts than the Gospels

Fewer casual errors in ActsFewer casual errors in Acts

Text of Acts was a product of different bilingual Text of Acts was a product of different bilingual traditiontradition

Sensible ConclusionsSensible Conclusions

The exemplar of Bezae had 2 columns per The exemplar of Bezae had 2 columns per page in short sense lines for the Gospels page in short sense lines for the Gospels and 1 column with longer lines in Acts. and 1 column with longer lines in Acts.

When copying Acts, the scribe followed When copying Acts, the scribe followed the layout of the exemplarthe layout of the exemplar

When copying the Gospels, he altered the When copying the Gospels, he altered the layout to match that of Actslayout to match that of Acts

The scribe of D was more careful than The scribe of D was more careful than often assumed. He was not free with his often assumed. He was not free with his copying; he was passing down a copying; he was passing down a specialized traditionspecialized tradition

Chapter SixChapter Six

The Nomina SacraThe Nomina Sacra

Nomina Sacra in BezaeNomina Sacra in Bezae

GreekGreek QeojQeoj IhsousIhsous KuriojKurioj PathrPathr PneumaPneuma Stauroj; -rowStauroj; -row XristojXristoj

LatinLatin ChristusChristus DeusDeus DominusDominus IesusIesus PseudochristusPseudochristus SpiritusSpiritus

Greek usageGreek usage QeojQeoj always n.s. in singular and full in plural always n.s. in singular and full in plural IhsoujIhsouj always n.s. except Acts 7:45 (Joshua son always n.s. except Acts 7:45 (Joshua son

of Nunof Nun KuriojKurioj n.s. in singular. Not just for divine name n.s. in singular. Not just for divine name PathrPathr mostly in full (few n.s. mostly in John) mostly in full (few n.s. mostly in John) PneumaPneuma No standard practice No standard practice

– Matt., Mark, and Acts almost always n.s.Matt., Mark, and Acts almost always n.s.– John mostly n.s.John mostly n.s.– Luke more full than n.s. (15/13)Luke more full than n.s. (15/13)

Stauroj; -rowStauroj; -row full in Matt., Luke, and Acts; full in Matt., Luke, and Acts; mostly n.s. in Markmostly n.s. in Mark

XristojXristoj always n.s. throughout always n.s. throughout

Latin usageLatin usage Christus uniformly n.s.Christus uniformly n.s. Deus in Matt., John, Luke and first part of Mark (-9:47) n.s. for Deus in Matt., John, Luke and first part of Mark (-9:47) n.s. for

direct cases and full form with linea superscripta for oblique direct cases and full form with linea superscripta for oblique cases; End of Mark is uniformly n.s.cases; End of Mark is uniformly n.s.– Two scribes?Two scribes?– Incomplete revision?Incomplete revision?

Dominus full form only for secular referencesDominus full form only for secular references– Completely successful only in ActsCompletely successful only in Acts– Acts has DNS formActs has DNS form– Matt., and Mark have older DMS formMatt., and Mark have older DMS form– John and Luke have DMS form (Acc. Uses DOM vs. DMN)John and Luke have DMS form (Acc. Uses DOM vs. DMN)

Iesus always n.s. except Acts 7:45Iesus always n.s. except Acts 7:45 Pseudochristus PSEUDOXRI at Mt. 24:24 where Greek is fullPseudochristus PSEUDOXRI at Mt. 24:24 where Greek is full Spiritus uniformly n.s. except in LukeSpiritus uniformly n.s. except in Luke

– Acts prefers SPO to SPU in dativeActs prefers SPO to SPU in dative

Sacred ConclusionsSacred Conclusions Greek text very close to early stage when only 4 Greek text very close to early stage when only 4

n.s. were used (God, Jesus, Lord, Christ), even n.s. were used (God, Jesus, Lord, Christ), even though some 15 were common at the time of though some 15 were common at the time of copying (400). The other 4 used in Bezae appear copying (400). The other 4 used in Bezae appear to be moving toward standard practice with “Spirit” to be moving toward standard practice with “Spirit” being the closest. being the closest.

The Latin text appears to be at about the same The Latin text appears to be at about the same stage as the Greek as evidenced by the usage of stage as the Greek as evidenced by the usage of n.s. for “Spirit.” In actuality, the Latin text displays n.s. for “Spirit.” In actuality, the Latin text displays a much greater diversity of n.s.a much greater diversity of n.s.

The Greek text has no hint of more common later The Greek text has no hint of more common later abbreviations (XS vs XPS etc.) abbreviations (XS vs XPS etc.)

The Greek text preserves archaic form, but the The Greek text preserves archaic form, but the Latin text adopts contemporary usage. Latin text adopts contemporary usage.

Sacred Conclusions 2Sacred Conclusions 2 Luke is the most primitive of the books (full Spirit)Luke is the most primitive of the books (full Spirit) Acts is the least primitive (n.s. Spirit/DNS formActs is the least primitive (n.s. Spirit/DNS form Matthew appears to have undergone the greatest Matthew appears to have undergone the greatest

attempt to introduce new usage before the scribes attempt to introduce new usage before the scribes settled with copying their exemplar exactlysettled with copying their exemplar exactly

Mark appears to have been carefully revisedMark appears to have been carefully revised The texts have been subject to varying degrees of The texts have been subject to varying degrees of

revision according to various sets of rules.revision according to various sets of rules. The evidence of various systems of abbreviation The evidence of various systems of abbreviation

signals a scribe who was concerned with signals a scribe who was concerned with preservation of his exemplarpreservation of his exemplar

The Scribe appears to have been familiar with The Scribe appears to have been familiar with contemporary Latin practice but not Greek practicecontemporary Latin practice but not Greek practice

Chapter SevenChapter Seven

The OrthographyThe Orthography

CharacteristicsCharacteristics D was more systematic in its orthography than P75 D was more systematic in its orthography than P75

or Bor B Latin spelling has been more influenced by Latin spelling has been more influenced by

contemporary pronunciation than the Greek textcontemporary pronunciation than the Greek text– The scribe was a native Latin speaker who wrote the Latin The scribe was a native Latin speaker who wrote the Latin

how he heard it and the Greek how he saw ithow he heard it and the Greek how he saw it Based on evidence from the usage of John’s name Based on evidence from the usage of John’s name

((IwanhjIwanhj vs. vs. IwannhjIwannhj) Luke is seen to be different ) Luke is seen to be different from the other Gospels and from Actsfrom the other Gospels and from Acts– In Luke, there is a single n in both columns; in Acts, the In Luke, there is a single n in both columns; in Acts, the

Greek column has the single and the Latin the doubleGreek column has the single and the Latin the double The scribe does not appear to have preserved the The scribe does not appear to have preserved the

order of books as found in a Vorlageorder of books as found in a Vorlage

Chapter EightChapter Eight

The Codex Bezae and Its AncestorsThe Codex Bezae and Its Ancestors

CharacteristicsCharacteristics The change of spelling in John’s name occurs about the The change of spelling in John’s name occurs about the

same time as the change in punctuation. same time as the change in punctuation. D’s exemplar for the Gospels was likely in the order D’s exemplar for the Gospels was likely in the order

Matt., Mark, John, Luke and was the work of two Matt., Mark, John, Luke and was the work of two copyistscopyists– One scribe copied Matt., Mark, and half of John and the other One scribe copied Matt., Mark, and half of John and the other

wrote the restwrote the rest A separate exemplar was used for ActsA separate exemplar was used for Acts The text of the Gospels was likely more ancient than The text of the Gospels was likely more ancient than

that of Actsthat of Acts The Latin text did not derive from a bilingual traditionThe Latin text did not derive from a bilingual tradition The bilingual tradition was at least a few generations The bilingual tradition was at least a few generations

removed from Bezaeremoved from Bezae Bezae was not a creation; it was part of a tradition. The Bezae was not a creation; it was part of a tradition. The

scribe was not a reviser or creator; he was a copyistscribe was not a reviser or creator; he was a copyist

Ancestry of Codex BezaeAncestry of Codex Bezae

Chapter NineChapter Nine

The Secondary HandsThe Secondary Hands

The CorrectionsThe Corrections Nearly half of the corrections are in ActsNearly half of the corrections are in Acts

– A higher proportion are significant also (1/4)A higher proportion are significant also (1/4)– The Eight earliest correctors focused on Acts The Eight earliest correctors focused on Acts

showing that they had as much problem with showing that they had as much problem with it as we do today. it as we do today.

Very few corrections made to both Very few corrections made to both columns at the same time. The correctors columns at the same time. The correctors almost always focused on one columnalmost always focused on one column– How often was Bezae actually used as a How often was Bezae actually used as a

bilingual?bilingual? Correctors in the order: G A C B D E H F JCorrectors in the order: G A C B D E H F J11

L K s.m. L K s.m.

Corrector GCorrector G Made almost all of the corrections to the Made almost all of the corrections to the

LatinLatin Likely had the exemplar of D to work Likely had the exemplar of D to work

fromfrom Generally removes differences b/w Generally removes differences b/w

columnscolumns He was likely Latin but knew Greek wellHe was likely Latin but knew Greek well Makes corrections with the assured hand Makes corrections with the assured hand

of a scholarof a scholar He was contemporary with the original He was contemporary with the original

copying of D (400)copying of D (400)

Corrector ACorrector A Corrected the Greek and ignored the Corrected the Greek and ignored the

LatinLatin Made corrections on grammatical Made corrections on grammatical

principles rather than in comparison to principles rather than in comparison to another Greek textanother Greek text

Can be dated to the 5Can be dated to the 5thth C. C.

Corrector CCorrector C His method is spasmodicHis method is spasmodic ½ of his corrections are in Acts½ of his corrections are in Acts Appeared to make corrections based on Appeared to make corrections based on

his own opinion rather for stylistic his own opinion rather for stylistic reasonsreasons

He likely was influenced by some Koine He likely was influenced by some Koine texttext

Possibly influenced by a Latin textPossibly influenced by a Latin text Likely in the 5Likely in the 5thth C. C.

Corrector BCorrector B Most significant alteration to the character of the Most significant alteration to the character of the

texttext Careless in his workCareless in his work Generally causes variation b/w the columnsGenerally causes variation b/w the columns Had access to a Greek text similar to the Greek Had access to a Greek text similar to the Greek

Vorlage of dVorlage of d Had access to a text similar to 01 and its c Had access to a text similar to 01 and its c

correctorscorrectors– Either he had 2 mss or 1 with 2 textual traditionsEither he had 2 mss or 1 with 2 textual traditions

With this corrector, Bezae appears to have moved With this corrector, Bezae appears to have moved out of its original environment where the text was out of its original environment where the text was accepted as traditionaccepted as tradition

Dated to the 5Dated to the 5thth C. C.

Corrector DCorrector D Most corrections done in Greek column of Most corrections done in Greek column of

ActsActs Changes relationship b/w columnsChanges relationship b/w columns Most corrections agree with most other Most corrections agree with most other

mss. Following 01 and 03 linemss. Following 01 and 03 line Was likely a scholar not far removed from Was likely a scholar not far removed from

corrector B around 450corrector B around 450

Corrector ECorrector E Focuses primarily on Greek column of Focuses primarily on Greek column of

ActsActs Used an unknown text but used it Used an unknown text but used it

carefullycarefully Was likely a scholar from the third Was likely a scholar from the third

quarter of the 5quarter of the 5thth C. C.

Corrector FCorrector F Focused on Greek column of ActsFocused on Greek column of Acts Almost all corrections are extensive and Almost all corrections are extensive and

none are orthographicnone are orthographic May have known several textual May have known several textual

traditionstraditions Moves text furthest away from LatinMoves text furthest away from Latin Milieu of Bezae now appears to be that of Milieu of Bezae now appears to be that of

the standard Byzantine textthe standard Byzantine text Dated b/w 450-500Dated b/w 450-500

Chapter TenChapter Ten

The Supplementary LeavesThe Supplementary Leaves

The Supplementary LeavesThe Supplementary Leaves Correction of the text ended at end of 7Correction of the text ended at end of 7thth

C. C. By 9By 9thth C. the ms. was incomplete C. the ms. was incomplete D finds itself in Lyons in the 9D finds itself in Lyons in the 9thth where it is where it is

restored at a Latin scriptoriumrestored at a Latin scriptorium No attempt to bring Greek and Latin text No attempt to bring Greek and Latin text

into conformityinto conformity Possibly Ms. Lyons 431 was the source of Possibly Ms. Lyons 431 was the source of

the supplementary leavesthe supplementary leaves

Chapter Eleven Chapter Eleven

The Development of the The Development of the Corrected TextCorrected Text

Main PhasesMain Phases Bilingual; corrections against the exemplar Bilingual; corrections against the exemplar

(G)(G) Transitional – text not wildly different (A); Transitional – text not wildly different (A);

vestiges of Latin influence (C)vestiges of Latin influence (C) Exposure to a quite different text (B-01c-Exposure to a quite different text (B-01c-

and D-01 and 03)and D-01 and 03) Growing influence of Byzantine text (E & H)Growing influence of Byzantine text (E & H) Correction to the standard Byzantine text Correction to the standard Byzantine text

(F)(F) Renewed interest in the original form in Renewed interest in the original form in

Lyons in the 9Lyons in the 9thth C. C.

Chapter ThirteenChapter Thirteen

A Comparison of the A Comparison of the ColumnsColumns

What Constitutes a Difference?What Constitutes a Difference?

What is Eliminated?What is Eliminated?

Translational errorsTranslational errors Divergent word Divergent word

ordersorders ItacismItacism Nonsense readingsNonsense readings

What is Left?What is Left?

Criteria as Rigid as Criteria as Rigid as possiblepossible

Text can be shown to Text can be shown to be divergentbe divergent

800 significant 800 significant differencesdifferences

MatthewMatthew

Transposition of paired words in Latin Transposition of paired words in Latin columncolumn

More synoptic harmonization in Latin More synoptic harmonization in Latin 1/3 where there is other support for both 1/3 where there is other support for both

reading, or Latin is founded on different reading, or Latin is founded on different Greek readingGreek reading

JohnJohn

Less harmonizationLess harmonization Far more transpositionsFar more transpositions

– ~1/2 shared with other Latin mss~1/2 shared with other Latin mss– Most can be attributed to the Old Latin Most can be attributed to the Old Latin

translations of Johannine styletranslations of Johannine style– Transpositions unique to d equivalent to Matt.Transpositions unique to d equivalent to Matt.

30 readings where Latin arose from 30 readings where Latin arose from different Greek textdifferent Greek text

LukeLuke

Several places where d has been partially Several places where d has been partially assimilated to Dassimilated to D– If D has a unique reading, then d has If D has a unique reading, then d has

something b/w D and a more common something b/w D and a more common readingreading

– In these places, where d differs from D it In these places, where d differs from D it represents an older form of textrepresents an older form of text

MarkMark

Significantly more potential differencesSignificantly more potential differences– # reduced due to careless and corrupt form # reduced due to careless and corrupt form

of parallel textsof parallel texts Latin translation seems less precise than Latin translation seems less precise than

in other Gospelsin other Gospels Partial assimilation lower than in LukePartial assimilation lower than in Luke

ActsActs Latin version significantly different than that found in the Latin version significantly different than that found in the

GospelsGospels Like John, a higher proportion of Latin transpositions may be Like John, a higher proportion of Latin transpositions may be

translationaltranslational Most of the significant differences occur in places where D has Most of the significant differences occur in places where D has

unique readingunique reading Often d does not follow D in changes to beginning of sentences Often d does not follow D in changes to beginning of sentences

or phrasesor phrases– Corrector more concerned with congruity of shape than Corrector more concerned with congruity of shape than

precise conformityprecise conformity Evidence clearly shows the accommodation of an existing Latin Evidence clearly shows the accommodation of an existing Latin

text to D. text to D. – High number of places where d follows different textHigh number of places where d follows different text– Particularly divergent within longer readingsParticularly divergent within longer readings– Longer readings placed alongside shorter with no attempt to Longer readings placed alongside shorter with no attempt to

make grammatical connectionmake grammatical connection Agreement among the columns generally done by altering the Agreement among the columns generally done by altering the

LatinLatin

Comparison ConclusionsComparison Conclusions High # of differences in Mark and Acts are due to earlier High # of differences in Mark and Acts are due to earlier

textual histories of these bookstextual histories of these books– Main cause in Mark due to high degree of Main cause in Mark due to high degree of

harmonizationharmonization– Acts caused by different base of dActs caused by different base of d

Each book has its own character. No sweeping statement Each book has its own character. No sweeping statement can be made of all of themcan be made of all of them

d contains translations from several Greek textsd contains translations from several Greek texts– Only Matt. and John may be same text in both Only Matt. and John may be same text in both – Luke and Mark is more forced alignment of textsLuke and Mark is more forced alignment of texts– Acts clearly was adapted from separate Latin text Acts clearly was adapted from separate Latin text

Low # of differences b/w columns in Acts suggests a Latin Low # of differences b/w columns in Acts suggests a Latin version derived from a shorter version of D text.version derived from a shorter version of D text.– Likely a Greek text of the same character from which D Likely a Greek text of the same character from which D

derivedderived

Chapter FourteenChapter Fourteen

The Character of the TraditionThe Character of the Tradition

The Bilingual TraditionThe Bilingual Tradition Language appears to move toward a more homespun Language appears to move toward a more homespun

Greek style in an attempt to explain obscuritiesGreek style in an attempt to explain obscurities Some aspects of Latinization, but not any wholesale Some aspects of Latinization, but not any wholesale

changechange ““to try to find a pure ‘D’ text is a useless undertaking. to try to find a pure ‘D’ text is a useless undertaking.

Its existence has only ever been assumed by analogy Its existence has only ever been assumed by analogy with the carefully preserved Alexandrian and the with the carefully preserved Alexandrian and the ecclesiastically approved Byzantine texts. The kind of ecclesiastically approved Byzantine texts. The kind of text presented in D will, by its nature, never have text presented in D will, by its nature, never have existed in a controlled and definable form. Such a text existed in a controlled and definable form. Such a text contains many hybrids, but no species…The relation of contains many hybrids, but no species…The relation of Codex Bezae to some of its supposed allies may be an Codex Bezae to some of its supposed allies may be an affinity of this kind – rather than blood relations, they affinity of this kind – rather than blood relations, they are kindred spirits.” (258)are kindred spirits.” (258)

Shaping CharacteristicsShaping Characteristics

Tendency to recast in vernacular moldTendency to recast in vernacular mold Harmonization in the GospelsHarmonization in the Gospels Influence of the context (in multiple Influence of the context (in multiple

settings)settings) Introduction of material from other Introduction of material from other

sourcessources Interaction between columnsInteraction between columns A freedom to transmit the text looselyA freedom to transmit the text loosely

Chapter FifteenChapter Fifteen

The Origins of the Codex The Origins of the Codex BezaeBezae

Origins of BezaeOrigins of Bezae Somewhere in the East where Latin was spokenSomewhere in the East where Latin was spoken Associated with a place where the advanced Associated with a place where the advanced

study of Law was practicedstudy of Law was practiced Possibly BerytusPossibly Berytus

– Main Latin center of the EastMain Latin center of the East– Best law school in the worldBest law school in the world– Evidence of Greek schoolsEvidence of Greek schools– Destruction of city in 551 may have led to the removal Destruction of city in 551 may have led to the removal

of the mss. to another place. Possibly to Sidon where of the mss. to another place. Possibly to Sidon where law school moved (Syrian influence seen in corrector L)law school moved (Syrian influence seen in corrector L)

If Berytus, the tradition could not have begun If Berytus, the tradition could not have begun prior to AD 200 when the law school was formed.prior to AD 200 when the law school was formed.

Important PointsImportant Points Copied around 400 by Latin scribe in the EastCopied around 400 by Latin scribe in the East The Gospels and Acts had different exemplarsThe Gospels and Acts had different exemplars Bezae was a careful copy of an earlier tradition; Bezae was a careful copy of an earlier tradition;

it was not a creationit was not a creation The tradition of both the Greek and Latin The tradition of both the Greek and Latin

(though initially separate) goes back to a very (though initially separate) goes back to a very early periodearly period

Texts like Bezae are not blood relatives but Texts like Bezae are not blood relatives but kindred spiritskindred spirits